The Three Greatest Moments In Wood Burning Stove History

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a low-carbon renewable source of heat that can reduce energy costs. They also support active woodland management, which benefits wildlife.

If they are not properly installed and maintained they could release carbon monoxide, which can pose health risks for the entire family. To avoid this, select a wood stove that's EPA certified and has modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove comes with an encapsulated catalyst that converts the smoke of wood into carbon dioxide and water. This is a great choice for those who want to cut down on indoor air pollution and save money. The stoves are hotter and produce less creosote. They consume less fuel. 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 constructed in accordance with 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 contrast to 4.1 grams/hour for a non-catalytic stove. But, it's important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings do not mean more efficient heating.

Sizing and Selection

It is vital to make sure your wood stove is properly designed for the space where it will be installed. A stove that is not properly sized won't function as it should and could even overheat. Proper stove size increases the heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure: Buying a EPA-Certified wood stove (PDF 530K) offers a simple way to size and select the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove to be manufactured was the non-catalytic stove. These are also known as traditional wood log burning stoves stoves or open-fire stoves. The main benefit of a non-catalytic stove is that it doesn't require an additional combustion in order to reduce emissions. Smoke is a major source of wasted energy. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance called creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove reduced these problems. The catalytic wood stove employs catalysts to burn the smoke containing gases and eliminates the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was designed to lower the emission of toxic gases. However it's less efficient than the secondary combustion system that is used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst does not completely burn the byproducts produced by burning wood, which is why it produces harmful fumes. In addition, the honeycomb structure of the catalyst can break down over time. This can result in decreased performance and the need for replacement.

Keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A functioning catalytic combustor will have a light gray powdery appearance. It should be free from soot, ash or any other material that can clog the catalytic surfaces and decrease their surface area. The combustor shouldn't be exposed to flame impingement. This can happen when a powerful, fast draft forces flames into a catalytic converter. This could also occur in the event that you leave the firebox and ash pan doors open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustor to determine whether it has physical damage, and for the need to be replaced. If it is damaged or in need of replacement, it should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the stove's maximum performance.