Get Rid Of Wood Burning Stove: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need It

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a carbon-free renewable heat source that can reduce energy costs. They also help with active woodland management that helps wildlife.

If they are not properly installed and maintained, they can produce carbon monoxide that poses health risks for the family. To avoid this, look for an EPA-certified wood stove equipped with modern technology to ensure safety.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace comes with a special catalyst, which looks like honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into carbon dioxide. This is a fantastic option for those looking to reduce indoor air pollution and save money. They use less fuel, burn more hot and produce less creosote. They can be more costly to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance on the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that have been certified by the EPA

The EPA requires wood stoves to be designed under certain guidelines that limit their emissions. According to these guidelines, catalytic stoves should not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is in comparison to 4.1 grams per hour of smoke for a non catalytic stove. However, it's important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings don't translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial to ensure that your wood stove is properly sized for the home in which it is installed. The wrong sized stove will not perform as intended and may even overheat. A properly sized stove will increase heat output while reducing emissions. The brochure: Buying a wood stove that is certified by the EPA (PDF 530K), provides a convenient method to determine the size and type of the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first outdoor wood burning stove stove made was non-catalytic stove. These stoves are also called traditional wood-burning stoves, or open fire stoves. The primary benefit of a non-catalytic stove is that it doesn't require an additional combustion in order to reduce emissions. Smoke is the primary source of wasted energy. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance known as creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove eliminated these problems. The catalytic stove utilizes catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to remove the toxic creosote.

While the catalytic wood stove was developed to reduce toxic emissions however, it isn't as efficient as the secondary burn system that is found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst can produce toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't completely burn the wood byproducts that result from burning. In addition the honeycomb structure the catalyst can break down over time. This can lead to a decline in performance and a need for replacement.

Keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is functioning properly will have a grayish-white appearance. It should be free of soot, ash, or tatty materials that could clog the cells and reduce catalytic surface area. The combustor should not be subjected to flame impingement. This can happen when a rapid, strong draft forces flames into a catalytic converter. This may also happen if the firebox door or ash pan's door has been left open.

It is essential to check the catalytic combustion chamber on a regular basis for physical damage or the need to replace. If it is damaged or requires replacement, it must be done as soon as possible to ensure the stove's best performance.