15 Undeniable Reasons To Love Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you reduce your energy bills. They also help to support active woodland management, which benefits wildlife.

However, if not installed and maintained properly they could produce carbon monoxide which can pose health risks for the entire family. To prevent this, look for an EPA-certified wood stove that has modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is outfitted with a catalyst which looks like a honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into carbon dioxide. This is an excellent option for those who want to cut down on indoor air pollution and save money. These stoves burn hotter and produce less creosote. They consume less fuel. However, 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 that wood stoves be constructed in accordance with certain guidelines that limit their emissions. In accordance with these guidelines, catalytic stoves should not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is in contrast to 4.1 grams/hour for a non-catalytic stove. However, it's important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings do not translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial to ensure that your wood stove is appropriate for the house in which it will be installed. A stove that isn't properly sized will not function as it was intended and could even overheat. A properly-sized stove increases heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure buying an EPA-certified Wood Stove (PDF 530K) provides a convenient method of sizing and choosing the right wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove produced was non-catalytic stove. These stoves are also known as traditional wood-burning stoves or open fire stoves. The non-catalytic electric stove fireplace has the advantage that it doesn't require a second combustion to reduce emissions. However, a significant amount of wasted energy is lost as smoke. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves is contaminated with a toxic substance called creosote. The catalytic wood heater has eliminated these problems. The catalytic wood stove utilizes a catalyst to burn the smoke containing gases and eliminates the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burning device was created to lower the emission of toxic gases. However it's less efficient than the secondary combustion system utilized In my area the non-catalytic model. The catalyst doesn't completely burn the byproducts from burning wood and therefore still produces harmful emissions. The honeycomb structure may break down with time. This can result in decreased performance and a need for replacement.

Cleaning the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is functioning properly will have a light gray powdery appearance. It must be free of ash, soot or other materials that could clog the cells and decrease the surface area of catalytic reactions. The combustor should also not be subjected to impingement of flames. This can be caused by an extremely fast, strong draft pulling flames directly into the catalytic converter. This could also happen if the firebox door or ash pan door is left open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustion chamber regularly for physical damage or the need to replace. If the catalytic combustor is damaged or requires to be replaced, it must be done as quickly as is feasible to ensure optimal performance.