Ten Things Your Competitors Teach You About Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a carbon-free renewable heat source that can help you save money on your energy bills. They also help to support active woodland management, benefitting wildlife.

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

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with a specific honeycomb-like catalyst that converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce indoor pollution and save money by burning less wood. They use less fuel, burn hotter and produce less creosote. They are more expensive to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that are EPA-Certified

The EPA requires wood stoves to be constructed according to certain guidelines that limit their emissions. The guidelines stipulate that the catalytic stove must test at least 7.5 grams of smoke per hour. This is compared to 4.1 grams/hour for a non-catalytic stove. It is important to remember that lower emissions ratings do not translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is vital to ensure that your wood stove is appropriate for the house in which it is installed. The wrong sized stove will not perform as intended and may even overheat. The proper stove size will increase the heat output while reducing emissions. The brochure: Buying a certified outdoor wood burning stove stove that is EPA-certified (PDF 530K) is a great way to measure and choose the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove made was an uncatalytic stove. These are also known as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it does not require an additional combustion to reduce emissions. However, a substantial amount of energy that is wasted is lost as smoke. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves is contaminated with a toxic substance known as creosote. The catalytic wood heater has helped to alleviate the risks. The catalytic stove uses catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to remove the toxic creosote.

While the catalytic wood stove was developed to help reduce the emission of toxic gases, it is not as efficient as the secondary burn system that is found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst does not completely burn the byproducts produced by burning wood and therefore still emits harmful fumes. Additionally, the honeycomb structure of the catalyst can break down over time. This could result in a decrease in performance and the need for replacement.

Maintain the Combustion Chamber Clean

A properly functioning catalytic combustor will have a grayish-white appearance. It should be free of soot, ash, or any other material that could clog the catalytic surfaces, and reduce their surface area. The combustor must not be exposed to impingement of flames. This could occur when a rapid, strong draft forces flames into a catalytic converter. This can also occur if the firebox door or ash pan's door is left open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustion chamber on a regular basis for physical damage or the need to replace. If it is damaged or in need of replacement, it must be replaced as soon as possible to ensure optimal performance.