Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to warm up and also heat a whole home. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses, such as creosote, which is dangerous to health and property.
Proper care of these stoves is vital. Some of the most important points to consider include: avoiding overheating the room making a mess of the fire and using correctly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can be used to burn a variety of fuels, including dry wood, as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These clean burning alternative fuels are less prone to pollution than traditional household coal and wet wood, which means they are better for the environment and healthier to use. They still emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance in order to work at their best.
Before purchasing or using any fuel, make sure you read the manufacturer's directions and ensure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your chimney and stove and cause costly repairs or voiding the warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel meets the sulphur and smoke emission standards, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging or alongside the brand name and price.
Fuels that are suitable for combustion should be dried or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will increase the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are excellent value for money, but hardwoods like oak and beech generate more hot embers and do so for a longer time. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only offer efficient heating, but also improve the ambience of your home by releasing pleasant aromas.
If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel fire; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes will help keep the flames burning and keep your home warm for a longer time. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and can also keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while releasing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, ensure that it is installed by an authorized installer. A regularly serviced appliance will be more economical to run and will protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial consideration for those considering their use as a primary or supplementary heating source. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that could cause harm to health and the environment. A well-planned and efficient operation are key factors in minimizing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are more eco green than older models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for a metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove or check out the EPA's current database to determine if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area are also a great source to learn more about wood stoves, including what size and capacity is the best fit for your space.
One of the main components of EPA emission regulations is the control of air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by a wall of fireproof materials, and air vents are positioned within the walls to allow controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and emissions are reduced.
Modern stoves often have an air baffle that improves the combustion time of the fire, which lowers emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves utilize a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emission. This system is more costly and is used only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate air flow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves still use a basic passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove to ensure maximum performance. A few wood stoves are also available with active air supplies, which are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the flow of air according to the needs.
Wood stoves are a great 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 case of an outage or snow, then a wood stove shouldn't be your only option to warm your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves advertise their peak heat output in BTUs. This is misleading because the actual output of a wood-burning fireplace is contingent on many factors such as the dimensions of the room and how well insulated it is.
Climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. To keep warm the colder regions require stoves with higher BTU ratings.
The type of wood you use and the frequency you replenish your fireplace are additional factors that affect the production of heat. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood burner in the room rather than have the hot air rise up.
It is crucial to remember that the maximum output of wood heater stoves should not be a constant event since continuous high fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could be enhanced by regular refueling. When adding a log, make sure it's not too large and then place it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or glass pane. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of waiting too long between additions.
wood burning stove in conservatory are designed to achieve a higher level of heat output from the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air, as well as other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than earlier models.
A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. This uses the heat generated by the wood-burning stove to heat water in the hot water tank or central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is a reliable and cost-effective method of heating a home. However the installation process could take quite a long time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase overall costs.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces can be a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they are not without their risks. A fire can cause furniture or carpets 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 the fireplace with wood burning.
Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue for signs of wear and rust, and having them cleaned at least two times per year. The chimney should also be inspected at least once a year for creosote buildup. This is extremely flammable and could cause chimney fires.
When purchasing a wood-burning stove make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This assures that the stove meets federal safety standards and is designed to ventilate properly. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely secured to the floor of the stove.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove inside your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is sturdy and made of non-combustible materials. It is also possible to lay a sheet of non-combustible floor tile over the flooring you have, particularly in the case of an old mobile home that has flooring that is combustible.
Burn only hardwoods that are dry and well-seasoned. Green and damp wood produces excessive smoke and creosote. This is a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney and release toxic chemicals into your home. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove, as they can create dangerous fumes, and they may not fully burn.
Never "over fire" your wood stovewhich is to generate a larger flame than the stove is able to handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escape from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and the chimney itself, and also burning other combustible materials within your home. It is also crucial to make sure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving your home or going to bed. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be functioning throughout the day.