Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm up your home, and it can also warm the entire home. However, certain appliances emit harmful gases like creosote, which can be hazardous to health and property.
The proper care of these stoves is essential. Some of the most important points to remember are to avoid overheating the area and not tinkering with the fire, and using dry firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are less prone to pollution than traditional house coal and wet wood, which means they are more sustainable and safer to use. However, they do still emit gasses and smoke, and require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their best.
Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it's the right fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or voiding the warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may be illegal, especially in areas that control smoke. Look for the advantage to Burn" logo. This indicates that the fuel is in compliance with smoke emission and sulphur limit limits and is legally purchased for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging, or along with the name of the brand and its price.
The fuels suitable for combustion should be seasoned or kiln dried to reduce the moisture content. This will improve heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood you select must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are good value for money, however hardwoods such as oak and beech produce more hot embers and do so over a longer time. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only offer efficient heating, but also enhance the ambience with their pleasant aromas.
If you own a stove that uses multiple fuels, you may be interested in a mixed fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes can aid in keeping the flames going for longer and keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great backup and can also stop a chimney fire by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will create more heat, burn less fuel and generate less harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, make sure it is installed by a licensed installer. A well-maintained appliance will be more economical to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are a great source of heat, however their design is important to think about. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke pose a risk to health and environmental impact. The key to minimizing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally green than older models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. Look for the metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove or go through the EPA's latest database to determine whether a particular stove is certified. Local hearth products retailers can also be a great source for information on wood stoves, and the size and capacity that is the best fit for your space.
Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a crucial part of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents within these walls to allow for controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that the combustion is efficient and emissions are minimal.
Many modern stoves have baffles that prolong the amount of time that the fire burns and reduces the amount of gas and smoke that can cause harm. Certain wood stoves also employ an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This kind of system is a little more expensive and is usually only used in high-end wood stoves.
Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves utilize an inherently passive supply of air, which requires that the owner (you), operate the stove in a way that allows the best performance. Some wood stoves have active air sources that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when required.
Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative to heating homes in remote areas or that aren't connected to the electric grid. If you do not have a backup source of heat in case of an outage or snow, then the wood stove isn't your sole option for heating 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 false statement, however, as the actual capacity of the wood stove is dependent on a variety of factors such as the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
Climate can also affect the requirements for heat. Regions that are colder require stoves with greater BTU rating to ensure the comfort.
Other factors that influence the production of heat are the type of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan also helps to transfer the warmth generated by the wood stove into the room, instead of having the hot air rise.
It is important to remember that the highest output of wood heater stoves should not be reached frequently since continuous high fire can cause damage to a stove's innards and may cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could be enhanced by regular refueling. Make sure the log isn't too big and is placed on the glowing embers, so it does not get in the way of the glass or walls of the stove. It's also best to add smaller logs frequently rather than allowing too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce greater heat output using the same amount of fuel. This is achieved by prewarming combustion air before heating it and by incorporating other features into the design. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than older models.
Some people also opt to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat generated by a wood burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or hot water tank. This lets the heat be distributed in the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective way to heat a home. However the installation process can take quite a long time. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase the overall cost.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they are not without risk. A fire can cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. The dangers can be reduced by maintaining and using the fireplace with wood burning.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves are safe and in good condition, they should be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes checking the flue and chimney at least two times each year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should also be checked at least once a year for creosote buildup, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When purchasing a fireplace with wood burning make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will ensure 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 inspect the hinges, legs and grates on a stove to ensure that they are in good shape and securely attached to the floor.
If you decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, ensure that the floor underneath it is reinforced and non-combustible. You can also put a non-combustible tile over your existing flooring if it is fire-proof.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wet and green woods produces excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build within your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, trash, paper or any other combustibles, because they can release dangerous fumes and not even ignite.
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, causing damage to the chimney, stove connector, and the chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other materials that are combustible in your home. Also, make sure that the fire is completely snuffed out prior to leaving your cabin or going to the bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be functioning at all times.