The Top Wood Burning Stove Experts Are Doing 3 Things

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are wonderful additions to any home. However it is important to use them only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion admitted air between and above the fuel - this resulted in the loss of energy, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ superior combustion principles that splits air supply into two stages. This enables greater efficiency in heating and lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in your wood stove is a measure of how efficiently your wood is transformed into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the quantity of heat that is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood burning stove with high combustion and heating efficiency will use less fuel, and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves have a high combustion efficiency, thanks to their advanced design. They maximize the amount of heat by using less wood. They also emit very little emissions, especially stoves that are EPA-certified and require a catalytic combustion combustor to remove exhaust gases after they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a good choice for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

Proper operation and maintenance will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important factor is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This can be achieved by maintaining a proper fire in the stove by frequent additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will prevent the buildup of flammable creosote inside the chimney, which could make the woodburner electric stove fireplace; a cool way to improve, less efficient.

Another important factor in the efficiency of wood stoves is the use of properly dried, seasoned firewood that has less than 20%. Dry and seasoned wood burning stove near me will not only provide more heat for the same fuel and will emit less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new multi burner stove releases within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion process or catalytic combustor in order to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollution they release. If you want to find a wood burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize a ceramic honeycomb combustor that is coated with noble metals, such as platin or palladium. The combustor operates in similar to what your catalyst in your car works to clean the exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with chemicals and particulates in the smoke breaking them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove emit less carbon dioxide and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models without sacrificing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs best when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000degF. The combustor will not function properly if the fire is ignited in a low flame.

Burning foreign materials, like paper logs, painted or treated wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these materials can cause "masking" that protects the cells of the combustor with an ingredient, which prevents it from functioning properly. Masking may also result from closing the bypass damper to shortly or woodburner stove refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells aren't regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar build up, plugging may occur which causes smoke to spill out.

When properly operated and placed, the combustor can provide years of efficient performance. It requires little maintenance, other than taking off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it regularly with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor has a bypass damper that can be open to start an ignition and closed to reload the stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which shows the combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor could be decreased if you close the bypass damper too early. Closing the bypass too soon could lower the temperature of the combustor's outlet and cause damage to it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, consult your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Control of Airflow

Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each plays a distinct role in the combustion process.

The main air control located below or inside the door of your stove, controls the amount of air that is allowed into the firebox. More air means a faster-burning fire but it also increases the chances of chimney smokiness and creosote buildup. The ideal is that the air control should be open for a short time when lighting your wood stove.

Once you've reached the desired temperature You can gradually close the primary air control until the desired heat is attained. It is essential to ensure that there isn't any smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove as this is a sign of poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are used to inject oxygen into the top of your stove, typically as air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Without it, your fire will burn too quickly and create excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is the final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is carried into the updraft area or chimney. This makes a strong draft in the flue, which allows your stove to function at its peak.

It is important to note that your wood stove was designed and optimized for burning wood for fire only. Any other burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove and could result in high levels of emissions and potentially chimney fires. The most efficient type of fuel to use is seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at minimum six months, but softwood can be used as well. Avoid using combustibles that are made of cardboard and paper, since these can cause toxic fumes and build ups of ash or creosote within your stove. You should also avoid placing any logs or other combustibles in the vicinity of your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a cost-effective alternative heat source particularly if you live in a region with frequent power outages. However, they can also be risky if they are used in a way that is not properly. They can result in harmful chemical substances that can cause harm to your health. They can also cause dangers to fire and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these dangers by taking simple safety guidelines.

Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood in your wood-burning stove. Do not use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle a flame. Never burn painted or treated wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen into. Always add wood in small pieces and make sure that the fire doesn't smolder. If you live in a smoke-control area, never set up an indoor fire.

Make sure your stove and chimney are properly installed. A poorly-installed electric wood stove stove could cause an unintentional chimney fire that can release toxic gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also crucial. Verify that the chimney flue does not leak, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea to store your wood in a shed or Tarp. This can help the corner wood burning stove to get seasoned and dry more quickly. It is also recommended to keep the firewood away from other sources of heat to minimize the chance of fire. It is recommended to set your stove on a non-flammable area, such as tiles on the floor.

If you have children who are young, be sure to be sure to supervise them around the stove. They may try to touch the flame or play with the ash that is hot, which can be dangerous. In addition, it is recommended to keep all items that are flammable at least three feet from the stove. You should also consider installing a heat shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It's also an excellent idea for your family to practice fire drills at home. This will make it easier to get out of your home in case of emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure read our article on escape routes for fire in the event of a home fire.