Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to relax and heat a whole home. Some of these devices emit harmful gases, such as creosote, which is dangerous to the health of your family and your property.
A proper care for these stoves is vital. Some of the most important points to remember are to avoid overheating the stove, not messing around with the stove, and using dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes and fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and better for the environment than traditional house coal or wet wood. They still emit harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance in order to function at their peak.
Before you purchase or use any fuel, read the manufacturer's instructions and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuels can damage your chimney or stove which can result in costly repairs and invalidating your warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may be illegal, especially in areas with smoke control. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This indicates that the fuel is in compliance with smoke emission and sulphur limit limitations and can be legally purchased for domestic use. The logo is often placed alongside the details of the price and brand or on the packaging.
The fuels suitable for combustion should be dried out or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will improve the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce are good for heating, but hardwoods such as oak and beech produce greater quantities of hot embers for longer durations. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry can not only be used to heat the house, but also add a pleasant aroma.
If you own a stove that uses multiple fuels, you may want to consider a mixed-fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes will aid in keeping the flames going for longer and help keep your home warm. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and can also prevent a chimney fire by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while releasing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, make sure that it is installed by an authorized installer. Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and safeguard the environment and your health by preventing harmful emission.
Design
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, but their design is something to take into consideration. Carbon monoxide and smoke are undesirable byproducts that could cause harm to health and the environment. The key to reducing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are more eco green than older models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for a metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove or look through the EPA's current database to see if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth-related stores in your area can also be a great source for information on wood stoves, and the size and capacity that is best for your space.
Controlling freestanding wood burner through the stove is a crucial aspect of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is enclosed by fireproof walls, and there are air vents within these walls that allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is crucial to ensure that the combustion is at its best and emissions are minimal.
Many modern stoves have baffles that extend the time the fire burns which reduces the amount gas and smoke that can cause harm. Certain wood stoves utilize catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emission. This kind of system is more expensive and is typically only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves use the basic passive supply of air and require that the user (you), operate the stove in a way that allows maximum performance. A few wood stoves also come with active air sources, which are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the supply of air as needed.
Wood stoves are a great alternative for heating homes in remote areas or who are not connected to the electricity grid. If you don't have a backup source of heat in the event of a power outage, or if there is a snowstorm, then the wood stove isn't the only option to heat your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves boast their peak heat output in BTUs. This is a mistake since the actual amount of heat produced of a wood-burning stove depends on many factors including the size of the room, and how well it is insulated.
The climate also has an impact on the heat requirements. Colder regions require stoves with greater BTU rating to maintain comfort.
The type of wood you use and the frequency with which you refill your fireplace are other elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood generates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan also assists in move the heat generated by the wood burner throughout the room instead of having the hot air rise upwards.
It is important to remember that the highest output of a wood heater stove should not be reached frequently as continuous high firing causes damage to the stove's internals and can cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home.
The performance of a stove can be enhanced by regular refueling. When adding a new log, ensure it's not large and then place it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs frequently instead of allowing too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce more heat output from the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air before heating it and by incorporating other features into the design. They typically produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than older models.
Some people also opt to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat the water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating a home however the process of installation can be quite extensive. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy needed to run a boiler will increase overall costs.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a beautiful and efficient way to heat a home. However, they are not without risk. A fire can cause furniture or carpets to catch fire, and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. The dangers can be reduced by using and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace.
To keep wood-burning stoves safe and in good condition They should be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes examining the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear, and having them cleaned at least twice per year. The chimney should also be checked every season for creosote buildup, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When purchasing a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another recognized testing lab. This assures that the stove meets the safety standards set by the federal government and is engineered to vent properly. It is also important to check the legs, hinges and grates on a stove to make sure they are in good condition and securely attached to the floor.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove inside your home, ensure that the floor underneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible material. It is also possible to lay a layer of non-combustible floor tiles over the existing flooring, especially if you live in an old mobile home that has combustible floors.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp and green produces excessive smoke and creosote, an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Do not burn trash, cardboard, newspaper or any other combustibles on your wood stove, since they can release dangerous fumes, and they may not burn completely.
Never "over fire" your wood stovewhich is to generate a larger flame than the stove can handle. Over firing can result in flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials within your home. It is also essential to make sure the fire is completely snuffed out prior to leaving your home or going to sleep. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be functioning at all times.
