What Makes The Wood Burning Stove So Effective? In COVID-19?

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are an attractive addition to any home. However it is important to use them only with properly seasoned logs.

Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion admitted air over and below the fuel. This resulted in energy loss, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves utilize superior combustion methods that separates the air supply into two phases. This allows them to achieve higher heating efficiencies with lower emissions levels.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of the combustion of wood stoves is an indicator of how efficiently your wood is turned into heat. It differs from heating transfer efficiency, which is the amount of heat that gets from your stove wood into a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, like carbon monoxide, ash and steam.

Modern wood stoves have a high efficiency in combustion, due to their sophisticated design. They maximize the burn by using less wood. They also tend to have low emission levels and are especially effective when using EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor to clean exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are an ideal option for homeowners who wish to lessen their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

Increasing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the process of combustion. This is achieved by adding small pieces of wood regularly and ensuring a constant fire in the stove. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote in the chimney, which could cause the stove to become less efficient.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent. Dry wood that is seasoned and dried will not only offer more heat for the same fuel however, it will produce fewer air pollution emissions and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove can emit in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves depend on a secondary combustion, or catalytic combustor, in order to minimize pollution and meet EPA guidelines. If you're looking to purchase an wood-burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission level lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize a honeycomb combustor made of ceramic that is coated with noble metals like platin or palladium. The combustor functions in like the catalyst in your car to clean your exhaust. When smoke passes through the combustor at high temperatures, noble metals react with the particles and the chemicals in the smoke to break them down to harmless end products such as water and carbon dioxide.

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

The combustor could be damaged by burning foreign substances like paper, trash logs painted or treated wood. The burning of these materials can result in "masking" that covers the combustor cells with a substance which prevents it from performing as intended. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cell isn't regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could result in smoke leakage.

If properly operated and positioned, the combustor will operate to provide years of reliable performance. It will require minimal maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a prolonged burn and then cleaning it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper that can be opened to start an ignition and closed to reload the stove. The bypass damper should be checked for the "operate catalyst" indicator which shows when your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be diminished if you open the bypass damper prematurely. Closing the bypass too early can reduce the temperature of the combustor's inlet and damage it. If you're unsure how to operate the bypass damper, check your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

The air flow controls in your wood stove are vital to ensuring that the fire burns safely and properly. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire is burning efficiently. Each one plays a different function in the process of combustion.

The primary air control, located below or inside your stove's door controls the amount of air that is allowed into the firebox. More air will ignite the fire more quickly however it could increase the possibility of creosote and chimney smoke. When you light your wood stove, the primary air control should be open wide and for a short period of time.

When the fire has developed enough heat, the main air control can be closed down gradually until you are satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. It is essential to ensure that there isn't any smoke is coming out of the chimney or stove since this could indicate poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen into the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your fire. Your fire will burn too quickly and produce large amounts of smoke without it.

Tertiary airflow is the final stage of the stove's airflow system. It is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your stove to function at its best.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove was designed and optimized to burn wood for fire only. Any other type of combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove, and may result in high levels of emissions and possibly chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable but it needs to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using paper and cardboard as they can emit toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. You should also avoid placing logs or any other combustibles on your fire as they can explode.

Safety

Wood burning stoves are an excellent alternative to electricity, particularly in areas that are prone to frequent power outages. However, they can be dangerous if used improperly. They can create harmful chemical substances that can be harmful to your health. They can also cause a fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. You can avoid these dangers by taking a few simple precautions.

Use only dry, clean firewood for your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or rekindle fires. Never burn painted or treated wood. Keep the flue wide open to let in plenty of oxygen. Always add wood in small pieces and do not let the fire burn out. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors even if you're in a smoking control area.

Make sure your chimney and white electric stove; visit the up coming document, are properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can ignite a fire in the chimney that could release harmful gases into your home. It is also crucial to have the chimney swept and inspected regularly. Ensure that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed or under a sheet of tarp. This will help the wood to dry and grow faster. You should also keep the firewood away from other sources of heat to minimize the risk of fire. It is also a good idea to put your stove on a non-flammable area, such as tiles.

You should supervise your children around the stove, especially if you have youngsters. They may try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash, which can be hazardous. You should also keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. It is also advisable to encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will make it easier to escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe, check out our article on escape routes for fire in the event of a house fire.