Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm your home, and it can also be used to heat your entire home. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote, which could be harmful to health and property.
The proper care of these stoves is essential. Some of the most important points to remember are: not overheating the space or tinkering with the fire, and using dry 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 polluting than traditional house coal and wet wood, therefore they are more eco-friendly and healthier to use. They do emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance in order to work at their best.
Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it's the right fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuels can damage your chimney or stove which can result in costly repairs and voiding your warranty. It's illegal to use fuel that is not approved particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This indicates that the fuel is within limits of sulphur and smoke emission limitations and can be sold legally for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging, or along with the name of the brand and price.
The appropriate fuels should be prepared (stored and then split for several months before use) or kiln dried to reduce the moisture content which improves heat output and efficiency in combustion. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods like spruce and pine are good for heating however, hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry are not just used to heat the house, but also add a pleasant scent.
If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel stove; combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and keep your home warm for a longer period of time. Briquettes can be a great backup option and can help stop a chimney fire by ensuring that the air is moving.
A well-maintained stove will create more heat, use less fuel and generate fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, make sure it is fitted by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme such as HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and safeguard the environment and your health by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is crucial to take into consideration. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke are a concern for environmental and health impacts. The key to reducing these emissions is correct operation and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency standards that maximize the amount of heat they produce. Look for the metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove or go through the EPA's latest database to determine whether a particular stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area can also be a good source to learn more about wood stoves, such as what size and capacity is the best fit for your space.
Controlling air flow through the stove is an essential aspect of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents inside these walls, which allow for controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that combustion is optimal and emissions are minimal.
Modern stoves often have a baffle that increases the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emission. This system is more expensive and is utilized only in high-end wood burning stoves.
Stoves utilize different air control systems to regulate the flow of air. The majority of wood stoves still use a basic passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove properly in order to achieve peak performance. Some wood stoves have active air supply systems that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply as required.
Wood stoves are an excellent alternative to heating homes in remote areas or who are not connected to the electricity grid. However, if your home does not have a backup heating source to rely on during an outage or in case of a snowstorm, a wood stove should not be the only option for heating your home.
The output of heat
A lot of wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not accurate because the actual output of a wood-burning stove depends on many variables including the size of the room, and how well it is insulated.
The climate also affects the heat requirements. To maintain comfort in colder areas, you need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
second hand wood burner of wood used and the frequency with which you refill your fireplace are additional elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. A stove fan may assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood burner within the room instead of having the hot air rise.
It is crucial to remember that the highest output of a wood heater stove should not be reached frequently as continuous high firing causes damage to a stove's innards and can cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home.
The performance of a stove could also be improved through regular refills. When adding a log make sure it's not too large and set it on the embers glowing so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or the glass pane. You can add smaller logs more frequently, rather than waiting too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to provide a higher heat output with the same amount fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air and using other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke than the older models.
Some people choose to install boiler stoves as element 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 throughout the home. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating homes. However the installation process could take an extended time. This method requires an additional flue and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase the overall cost.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces can be a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. However, they're not free of dangers. Sparks and embers can fly out of a flame and ignite furniture or carpeting and a burning chimney that is hot can cause fire destruction to the structure of your house. A proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces the dangers.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves are safe and in good working order they must be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least twice every year for signs of wear or rust and cleaning them. The chimney should also be inspected every season to check for creosote accumulation, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This guarantees that the stove is in compliance with federal safety standards and is designed to vent properly. Also, you should examine the hinges, legs and grates of a stove to ensure that they are in good working order and securely attached to the floor.
If you opt to install a wood-burning fireplace in your home, ensure that the floor beneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible materials. You might also want to lay a layer of non-combustible floor tile over the existing flooring, especially if you live in an old mobile home with flooring that is combustible.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood produces an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is which is a flammable byproduct, which can build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or other combustibles in your wood stove as they can create dangerous fumes and could not completely burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stovethat is, to you should not create a bigger fire than the stove is able to handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage to the chimney, stove connector, as well as the chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of 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. In addition, you should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your house.