Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a warm and cozy space to warm up and can heat a whole home. However, some of these appliances emit harmful gases like creosote, which can be dangerous to the health of your family and property. It is essential to take care of these stoves. Some important things to keep in mind include making sure that the room is not overheated, not messing with the fire, and using appropriately dried firewood that is properly dried. Fuel Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional household coal or wet wood. However, they emit some toxic gases and smoke. They also require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their peak. Read the instructions of the manufacturer prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Be sure that it's the correct fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your chimney or stove, leading to expensive repairs and voiding your warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could be illegal, especially in smoke control areas. Check for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed alongside the details of the price and brand or on the packaging. The appropriate fuels are prepared (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves heat output and combustion efficiency. wood burners for sale of wood you choose will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods like spruce and pine provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak generate a higher output of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only provide effective heating but can improve the ambience of your home by their pleasant scents. If you own an appliance that runs on multiple fuels, you might want to consider a mixed-fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes will help maintain the flames for longer, and will keep your home warm. Briquettes can be a great backup option and can help prevent a chimney-fire by keeping the air flowing. A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while also releasing less harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, make sure that it is installed by a registered installer. Regularly serviced appliances are more efficient and help protect the environment and your health by preventing harmful emission. Design The design of wood stoves is an important consideration for those considering them as a primary or complementing heat source. Smoke and carbon monoxide are unwanted byproducts that can have a negative impact on health and the environment. A well-planned and efficient operation are the most important factors in reducing these emissions. Modern wood stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. You can determine if a wood stove is certified by looking for an iron EPA label on the back or by looking through the EPA database. Local hearth products retailers can also be a good resource for learning more about wood stoves, including the size and capacity that is ideal for your home. One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations is the control of the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is surrounded by a wall of fireproof material, and air vents are placed in the walls to ensure controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that emissions are reduced. A lot of modern stoves come with baffles that prolong the amount of time that the fire burns which reduces the amount fumes and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves utilize catalyst converters to decrease NOx emissions. This method is more expensive and used only in high-end wood burning stoves. Stoves utilize different air control systems to regulate air flow. The majority of wood stoves use a basic passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove to ensure maximum performance. Some wood stoves come with active air sources that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the supply of air according to the needs. Wood stoves are an excellent alternative to heating homes in remote areas or who are not connected to the electricity grid. If you don't have a backup heating source in the event of an outage or a snowstorm, then the wood stove isn't your only option to warm your home. The output of heat A lot of wood stoves are advertised with an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is a mistake as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove is dependent on a variety of factors such as the size of the room and how well it is insulated. Climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. To ensure comfort, colder regions need stoves that have higher BTU ratings. Other variables that affect the production of heat are the kind of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood generates more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. The stove fan also assists in transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner into the room instead of having the hot air rise. It is vital to keep in mind that the highest output of wood heaters is not to be reached often as continuous high firing causes damage to a stove's innards and can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home. The performance of a stove could also be improved by regular refueling. When adding a new log, ensure that it's not too large and set it on the embers glowing so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. You can add smaller logs more frequently instead of taking too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are designed to provide 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. These stoves often produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than older models. Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat produced by the wood burning stove to warm water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, allowing the heat to be distributed throughout a house. This is a more efficient and cost effective way of heating a house however the process of installation can be quite extensive. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy required to run the boiler will add to the overall cost. Safety Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. However, they aren't without their risks. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire, and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. These dangers can be minimized by using and maintaining the fireplace with wood burning. Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes inspecting the chimney and flue at least twice each year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should also be inspected at least once a year for creosote buildup, which is extremely flammable and could cause chimney fires. When purchasing a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that is 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 designed for proper venting. Check the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely secured to the floor of the stove. If you decide to install a wood-burning fireplace in your home, ensure that the floor underneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible materials. You can also lay tiles that are not combustible over your existing flooring when it is fire-proof. Burn only hardwoods that are dry and seasoned. Wood that is damp and green produces excessive smoke and creosote, a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney and release toxic chemicals into your home. Avoid burning cardboard, paper, trash or any other combustibles on your wood stove, as they can release dangerous fumes, and they may not burn completely. Do not over-fire your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove is capable of handling. Over firing can result in flames escaping from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, and also burning other combustible materials within your home. Make sure the fire is completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or going to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be in working order throughout the day.
