Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm up your home and it can also warm the entire house. Some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote which can be dangerous for health and property.
Proper care of the stoves is crucial. A few important factors to keep in mind include making sure that the room is not overheated making a mess of the fire and using properly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes and fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are more environmentally friendly than traditional household coal and wet wood, which means they are better for the environment and healthier to use. However, they emit smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best.
Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or using any type of fuel. Make sure it is the right fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your chimney or stove, leading to expensive repairs and voiding your warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may also be illegal, particularly in areas that control smoke. Check for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is typically displayed on the package or beside the name of the brand and price.
Fuels that are suitable for burning must be dried or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will improve the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood you select must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods like pine and spruce offer an excellent value for money but hardwoods like oak and beech generate more hot embers and operate for a longer time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple are not just used to heat the house and provide a pleasant scent.
If you own a stove that is able to use different fuels, you might want to consider a mixed-fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes can allow the flame to last longer, and will keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great backup option and can help prevent a chimney-fire by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, ensure that it is installed by a licensed installer. Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and help protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emission.
Design
Wood stoves are a great source of heat, however their design is something to consider. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, pose a risk to the environment and health. Correct operation and careful design are key factors in minimizing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. Look for a metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or look through the EPA's current database to see if a particular wood stove is certified. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance characteristics of their inventory is also an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity may be most suitable for your space.
A key part of the EPA emission regulations is controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by a wall of fireproof material and air vents are positioned within the walls to allow controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and that the emissions are reduced.
Modern stoves often have baffles that extend the duration of the fire and reduces the amount of fumes and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emissions. This is more expensive and is utilized only in high-end wood burning stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate the airflow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves still employ a basic passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove correctly to get the best performance. A few wood stoves come with active air supply, which are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the supply of air as needed.
One of the most significant advantages of a wood stove is that it does not require electricity to run, which makes it a great alternative heating option for homes that are isolated or without access to a grid. If you do not have a backup source of heat in case of an outage, or if there is snow, then wood stoves shouldn't be the only option to heat your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is a false statement however, as the actual heating capacity of the wood stove is dependent on a variety of variables like the size of the room and the degree of insulation.
The climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. Regions that are colder require stoves with a higher BTU rating to ensure comfort.
The type of wood used and the frequency at which you refill your fireplace are also factors that affect the production of heat. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. A stove fan can aid in the circulation of heat produced by the wood burner in the room rather than have the hot air rise up.
It is vital to keep in mind that the peak output of wood heaters should not be a constant event because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could also be improved by regular refills. When adding a log ensure it's not large and place it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. It's also best to add smaller logs more often, rather than leaving too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to achieve a higher level of heat output using the same amount of fuel, by supplying pre-heated combustion air and other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than older models.
A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat produced by a wood burning stove is used to heat water for a central heating system or hot water tank. This lets the heat be distributed throughout the home. This is an efficient and cost effective way to heat a home, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy required to run back boilers can increase the overall running costs of wood stoves.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves can be a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. wood burning stoves on sale do come with risks. A fire could cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. These risks can be avoided by maintaining and using a wood-burning fireplace.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. This includes inspecting the chimney and flue at least once each year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly flammable and could cause an explosion in the chimney.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This ensures that the stove complies with the safety standards set by the federal government and is designed to ventilate properly. Check the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor of the stove.
If you choose to install a wood stove in your cabin, make sure that the floor beneath it is non-combustible and reinforced. It is also possible to lay a layer of non-combustible floor tiles on top of the existing flooring, especially in the case of an old mobile home with flooring that is combustible.
Always burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wet and green woods can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct can build within your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals. Do not burn cardboard or paper, trash, or any other combustibles, as they can create dangerous fumes, and may not even ignite.
Do not "over fire" your wood stove -which is to create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the chimney, stove connector, and chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other combustible materials in your home. It is also important to ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out before leaving your home or going to bed. In addition, you should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.