13 Things About Wood Heater Stove You May Never Have Known
Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm your home and it can also warm the entire home. However, small wood burning heater of these devices emit harmful gases such as creosote that can be dangerous to your health and property.
It is essential to maintain these stoves. A few important factors to consider include making sure the room isn't overheated and not tampering with the fire, and using appropriately 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 less prone to pollution than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are better for the environment and safer to use. However, they release toxic gases and smoke. They also require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their peak.
Before using or purchasing any fuel, make sure you read the instructions of the manufacturer and ensure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your chimney or stove and cause costly repairs and voiding your warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could also be illegal, particularly in areas that control smoke. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This means that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur limits and smoke emission limits and is legally purchased for domestic use. The logo is often displayed along with the price and details about the brand or on the packaging.
The fuels suitable for combustion should be dried out or seasoned to reduce moisture content. This will increase the heat output and efficiency of combustion. The kind of wood you choose must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce offer good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak produce more hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry can not only be used to heat the home but also provide a pleasant scent.
If you have a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel fire; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and keep your home warm for a longer time. Briquettes can be a great alternative and can keep a chimney from burning by ensuring that the air is moving.
A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, make sure it is installed by a registered installer. A regularly serviced appliance will be more economical to run and will protect your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is an important factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or complementing source of heat. Unwanted byproducts from combustion, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, can be harmful to the environment and health. Proper operation and a well-designed design are essential to reducing the emission.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. All EPA-certified stoves meet strict emission and energy efficiency standards that maximize the amount of heat they generate. You can determine whether a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or checking the EPA database. Visiting local hearth products retailers who are aware of the performance of their selection is an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity may be most suitable for your space.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations involves controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls of fireproof material, and air vents are placed in the walls to ensure controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is crucial to ensure that the combustion is efficient and emissions are minimized.
A majority of modern stoves have a baffle that increases the time to burn the fire, which reduces smoke output and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use catalyst converters to decrease NOx emission. This type of system is a little more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves still utilize a passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove properly in order to achieve peak performance. A few wood stoves come with active air supply that are controlled by sensors that track 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 those that aren't connected to the electric grid. But, if you do not have a backup energy source to depend on during an outage or in case of a snowstorm, a wood stove is not the only option for heating your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves advertise the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not true however, as the actual capacity of a wood stove is contingent on a number of factors such as the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
Climate also has an impact on the heat requirements. To keep warm, colder regions need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
Other factors that influence heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan can also help move the heat generated by the wood burner throughout the room instead of having the hot air rise.
It is essential to remember that the maximum output of a wood heating stove should not be exceeded frequently because a continuous fire can cause damage to the stove's internals, and result in carbon monoxide leaking into the home.
Regular refueling can improve the efficiency of the fireplace. Make sure the log isn't too big and that it is placed on the glowing embers so that it doesn't contact the glass or walls of the stove. It is also recommended to add smaller logs more frequently rather than allowing too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed for greater heat output using the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air and employing other design features. They typically produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than previous models.
Some people opt to install a boiler stove as a part of their heating system. The heat generated 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 house. This is a reliable and cost-effective method to heat a home. However, the installation process can take quite a long time. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy needed to run back boilers will raise the operating costs of wood stoves.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are attractive and a convenient method of heating homes. However, they're not without risk. Sparks and embers could fly out of a fire and ignite carpeting or furniture A burning chimney that is hot can cause fire destruction to the structure of your house. The proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces these dangers.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least two times a year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should be checked for creosote about halfway through the season. It is extremely flammable, and can cause a chimney fire.
When you are buying a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This will assure you that the stove has been constructed to meet the safety standards of the federal government, and is designed to allow proper venting. Also, you should examine the hinges, legs and grates on a stove to make sure they are in good condition and are securely fastened to the floor.
If you choose to install a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor underneath it is insulated and non-combustible. You can also put a non-combustible tile over your flooring in the event that it is inflammable.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp and green produces excessive smoke and creosote. This is an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals into your home. Do not burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles on your wood stove, since they can create dangerous fumes and may not fully burn.
Do not "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber and damage the stove, chimney connector, and chimney itself. It can also burn other materials that are combustible in your home. It is also essential to make sure the fire is completely extinguished prior to leaving your home or going to sleep. Finally, you should always have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.