What Is The Reason Wood Burning Stove Is Right For You

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are an excellent addition to any home. They are best used with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that didn't have secondary combustion allowed air to get into the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel leading to the loss of energy and polluting.

Modern wood stoves employ an advanced combustion technique that splits the air supply into two phases. This lets them achieve higher heating efficiencies with less emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of the combustion of the wood stove is a measure of how well the wood you use is turned into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the amount that heat is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash and steam.

Modern wood stoves generally feature high combustion efficiency due to their sophisticated design features that enable them to maximize the burn and make use of less wood. They also tend to have low emission levels, especially when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor, which cleans the exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves make an excellent choice for those seeking to lessen their impact on the environment, while still enjoying the warmth and comfort of a wood burning stove.

Increasing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important thing is to ensure the combustion process is controlled, which is accomplished by ensuring a steady fire in the stove with frequent additions of small pieces of wood burning stove sale at regular intervals. This will stop the build-up of flammable Creosote inside the chimney which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another crucial aspect in the efficiency of wood stoves is the use of properly dried wood that is seasoned and has less than 20 percent. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel, but will also cause less air pollution and smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove can release in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion, or a catalytic combustor to reduce pollution and to meet EPA guidelines. To find a wood stove that meets the EPA emission standards, look for one that has an EPA certification sticker and has a smoke emission rate of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves utilize a special ceramic honeycombed combustor coated with noble metals, such as platinum or palladium. The combustor works much similar to what your catalyst in your car works to clean the exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with chemicals and particulates in the smoke and break them into harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to emit less carbon dioxide and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models, without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs its best when the temperature of the gas in the flue is 1,000degF or higher. The combustor won't work properly if the flame is burned in a low flame.

Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, treated or painted wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these materials could result in "masking" which covers the cells of the combustor with a substance which prevents it from functioning as intended. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper too quickly or refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cells aren't regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar, a plugging may occur which causes smoke spillage.

Properly operated and positioned the combustor will operate to provide years of efficient performance. It will require very little maintenance other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a long burn and periodically dusting it off with a soft, dry brush.

The combustor comes with an bypass damper that is opened to start the fire, and then shut to load the stove. Inspect the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor could be diminished if you open the bypass damper prematurely. If you close the bypass damper too quickly will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor and may damage it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, consult your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire is burning efficiently. Each of these systems plays a distinct role in the combustion process.

The primary air control, located beneath or inside the door of your stove, controls amount of air that is allowed into the firebox. More air can burn the fire more quickly however it could also increase the chance of creosote and chimney smoke. The ideal is that the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.

Once you have reached the desired temperature then you can slowly shut the primary air control until the desired temperature has been achieved. It is crucial to make sure that no smoke is coming out of the chimney or stove since this could indicate inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls feeds oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned above your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling the flame. Without it the fire will burn too quickly and create excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of the airflow system of your stove and is carried into the updraft area or chimney. This makes a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to perform optimally.

It is crucial to keep in mind that your wood stove was specifically designed and optimized for the purpose of burning firewood. Other types of combustibles do not burn in your wood bio ethanol stove, resulting in high levels in emissions and even chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable however, seasoned hardwood needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using combustibles that are made of cardboard and paper, as these can cause toxic fumes and build ups of creosote or ash within your stove. Avoid placing logs or any other combustibles on your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood burning stoves can provide an affordable alternative to heating, especially if you live in a location that has frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if utilized incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemicals that can harm your health. They also can cause fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. You can avoid these dangers by implementing a few basic safety measures.

Use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Do not make use of gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper, or any other flammable materials to ignite or rekindle a fire. Never burn treated wood painted wood, wet wood. Keep the flue open so that you can let plenty of oxygen into. Always add wood in small pieces and make sure that the fire doesn't smolder. Do not use a fireplace indoors if you're in a smoke control zone.

Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. A poorly constructed wood stove could result in an unintentional chimney fire that can release harmful gasses into your home. It is also crucial to sweep the chimney and inspected on a regular basis. Make sure that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store your wood in a shed or under a cover. This will allow the wood get more seasoned and dry more quickly. It is also important to keep the firewood away from other sources of heat to reduce the chance of fire. It is recommended to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, like tiles.

It is important to be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have any young ones. They may try to play with the hot ash or touch the flame, which is dangerous. In addition, you should keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the Electric Stove Fires; Cf58051.Tmweb.Ru,. Consider installing a heat shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It is also advisable to encourage your family to practice fire drills at home. This will make it easier to get out of your home in case of emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure read our article on fire escape routes in case of a house fire.