10 Key Factors Concerning Wood Burning Stove You Didn't Learn In …

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you reduce your energy bills. They also aid in active woodland management that helps wildlife.

However, if they aren't installed and maintained properly they could produce carbon monoxide which can pose health risks to the entire family. To avoid this, pick an appliance made of wood that is EPA certified and uses the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is equipped with a special catalyst, that looks like a honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into water and carbon dioxide. This is a great choice for those who want to cut down on indoor air pollution while saving money. These stoves use less fuel, burn more hot, and produce less creosote. However, they can be more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models. They also require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves certified by the EPA

The EPA requires that wood stoves be designed according to certain guidelines which limit their emissions. According to these guidelines, catalytic stoves must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is in comparison to 4.1 g/hr of smoke for a non catalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emission ratings don't necessarily mean greater efficiency in heating.

Sizing and Selection

It is vital to make sure your wood stove is properly designed for the space in which it is installed. A stove that is not properly sized won't function as it should and may even overheat. The proper stove size will increase heat powered stove fan output while decreasing emissions. The brochure buying an EPA-certified Wood Stove (PDF 530K) provides a convenient method of sizing and choosing the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove produced was a non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove is advantageous in that it does not require another combustion to lower emissions. Smoke is a major source of energy wasted. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance called creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove reduced these issues. The catalytic wood stove utilizes catalysts to burn off the smoke containing gases and eliminates toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was designed to minimize toxic emissions. However, it is less effective than the secondary combustion system utilized in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst can produce harmful fumes since it doesn't fully burn the byproducts from burning wood. The honeycomb structure can also break down with time. This can result in decreased performance and the need for replacement.

Keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is working properly will appear as a grayish powder. It should be free from soot, ash or any other material that can clog the catalytic surfaces and decrease their surface area. The combustor should not be subject to impingement of flames. This can be caused by an extremely fast, strong draft pulling flames directly into the catalytic converter. This may also happen when the firebox's door or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to check the combustion chamber of the catalytic catalytic for physical damage or a need to replace. If it is damaged or in need of replacement, it should be done as soon as possible to ensure best performance.