Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to relax and warm a whole house. Some of these devices emit harmful gasses like creosote which is dangerous to the health of your family and your property.
Proper care of these stoves is essential. A few important factors to consider include making sure the room isn't overheated making a mess of the fire and using correctly dried firewood that is properly dried.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety fuels which include dry wood, as well as manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes or fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and more sustainable than traditional household coal or wet wood. They still emit harmful gases and smoke and require regular maintenance to perform at their best.
Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to purchasing or using any type of fuel. Make sure it is the right one for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your stove or chimney, leading to expensive repairs and invalidating your warranty. Using an unapproved fuel could also be unlawful, particularly in areas that control smoke. Look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the package or beside the name of the brand and price.
The fuels that are suitable for use must be prepared (stored and then split for several months prior to use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves heat output and combustion efficiency. The kind of wood you choose will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods such as spruce and pine offer good value heat but hardwoods like beech and oak produce greater quantities of hot embers over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can be used not only to heat the home and provide an appealing scent.
If you own a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel fire. combining wood with smokeless briquettes will help keep the flames burning and warm up your home for longer. The briquettes can be used as a back-up and also help prevent a chimney fire by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while also releasing less harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, make sure it is installed by a licensed installer. A properly maintained appliance is more economical to run and protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or secondary source of heat. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, pose a risk to environmental and health impacts. A well-planned and efficient operation are key factors in minimizing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are more environmentally friendly than older models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emission and energy efficiency standards that maximize the amount of heat they generate. You can verify if a wood stove is certified by looking for a metal EPA label on the back or by looking through the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance capabilities of their selection is a great way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity is most suitable for your space.
Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a key element of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by a wall of fireproof material and air vents are placed in the walls to provide controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that combustion is efficient and emissions are minimized.
Modern stoves often have baffles that increase the amount of time that the fire burns which reduces the amount fumes and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This kind of system is more expensive and is generally only used in high-end wood stoves.
Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves still use a basic passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove correctly to ensure maximum performance. Certain wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process, and adjust the air supply as required.
One of the greatest benefits of wood stoves is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, making it a great alternative heating option for homes that are remote or aren't connected to an electric grid. However, if your home does not have a backup heat source that you can rely on in the event of an outage or an upcoming snowstorm, a wooden stove should not be the sole option for heating your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves boast their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not true however, since the actual capacity to heat the wood stove is dependent on a variety of variables like the size of the room as well as the degree of insulation.
The climate of the area also plays a role in heat requirements. To ensure comfort, colder regions need stoves that have higher BTU ratings.
The type of wood and the frequency you replenish your fireplace are other elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. very small wood burning stove helps to transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner throughout the room, instead of having the hot air rise up.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heating stove should not be exceeded frequently, as a continuous high-fire could damage the stove's internals and cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
Regular refueling can also enhance the performance of the fireplace. When adding a new log, ensure that it's not too large and place it on the embers glowing so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. It's also best to add smaller logs more often, rather than leaving too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed for a higher heat output with the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air before heating it and by incorporating other features into the design. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than older models.
Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. This uses the heat generated by the wood-burning stove to heat the water in a hot water tank or central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a house. This is an efficient and cost effective way of heating a home even though the installation process can be very extensive. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy needed to run back boilers will increase the running costs of the wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are attractive and a convenient method of heating a home. However, they are not without their risks. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. Proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces these dangers.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least two times each year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote at the end of each season. It is extremely flammable, and can cause an explosion in the chimney.
When buying a stove for wood burning be sure to choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another recognized testing lab. This will assure you that the stove is constructed to meet the safety standards of the federal government, and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Check the legs, hinges, and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor of the stove.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor beneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible materials. You can also put a non-combustible floor tile over the flooring you have in place if it is inflammable.
Burn only hardwoods that are seasoned and dry. Dry and damp wood creates an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Do not burn trash, cardboard, newspaper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove, as they can release dangerous fumes and could not completely burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stove- that is, generate a larger flame than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber and damage to the chimney, stove connector, and the chimney itself. It can also burn other materials that are combustible in your home. It is also essential to ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out before leaving your home or going to sleep. Also, you must have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your house.