Why Nobody Cares About Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a low-carbon renewable source of heat that could save money on energy bills. They also aid in active woodland management, benefitting wildlife.

However, if not maintained and installed correctly, they can produce carbon monoxide, which poses health risks for the entire family. To avoid this, choose a wood stove that is EPA certified and features the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with a special honeycomb-like catalyst which converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. This is an excellent option for those looking to reduce the air pollution in their homes while saving money. They consume less fuel, burn faster and produce less creosote. However, they can be more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models, and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

EPA-Certified Wood Stoves

The EPA requires that wood stoves, utahsyardsale.com published a blog post, are designed in accordance with certain guidelines that reduce their emissions. In accordance with these guidelines, catalytic stoves must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This compares with 4.1 grams per hour of smoke for a non catalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings don't translate into better heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is important that your wood stove is sized appropriately for the space in which it will be put in. A stove that isn't properly sized won't perform as it should and may even overheat. The correct stove size will increase heat output while cutting emissions. The brochure purchasing an EPA-certified wood Stove (PDF 530K) provides a convenient method of sizing and choosing the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove that was made was the non-catalytic one. 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 another combustion to lower emissions. However, a substantial amount of energy that is wasted is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke from a wood stove that is not catalytic has creosote, a hefty residue which is a very toxic substance. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove eliminated these issues. The catalytic stove uses catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to remove the toxic creosote.

Although the catalytic wood stove was created as a means to reduce the emission of toxic gases however, it isn't as effective as the secondary burn system that is found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst does produce some harmful fumes since it doesn't completely burn the byproducts from burning wood. The honeycomb structure may be damaged over time. This can result in lower performance and the necessity for replacement.

Maintaining the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor operating properly will appear as a grayish powder. It should be free of ash, soot or tatty material that could clog the catalytic surfaces and decrease their surface area. The combustor shouldn't be subjected to flame impingement. This could occur when a strong, rapid draft forces flames into a catalytic converter. This can also occur when the firebox's or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to check the catalytic combustion chamber regularly for physical damage or the need to replace. If it is damaged or in need of replacement, it must be replaced as quickly as possible to ensure best performance.