The Biggest Problem With Wood Heater Stove And How You Can Resolve It
Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides a cozy place to warm up and can heat a whole home. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote which can be dangerous to the health of your family and property.
Proper care of the stoves is crucial. Some of the most important points to remember are: not overheating the stove and not tinkering with the fire, and using properly-dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional household coal or wet wood. They still emit some harmful gases and smoke and require regular maintenance in order to function at their peak.
Read the instructions of the manufacturer prior to purchasing or using any type of fuel. Make sure it's the correct fuel for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or voiding the warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could be illegal, especially in areas with smoke control. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel is in compliance with the smoke emission and sulphur limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed along with the price and brand details or on the packaging.
The appropriate fuels should be seasoned (stored and then split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content, which increases heat output and efficiency in combustion. The kind of wood you choose should also meet your heating requirements. Softwoods such as spruce and pine provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak produce a higher output of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry do not just provide efficient heating but also improve the ambience of your home with their pleasant aromas.
If you have an appliance that runs on different fuels, you might want to consider a mixed-fuel fire. Combining Smokeless Briquettes with wood will aid in keeping the flames going for longer and keep your home warm. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and can also in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while also releasing less harmful particles. If you own a gas or oil-fired wood stove, ensure it is installed by an approved installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A well-maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or supplementary heat source. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like smoke and carbon monoxide, can be harmful to health and environmental impact. The key to reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and a well-planned design.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. contemporary wood burners certified stoves must meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. Look for the metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or go through the EPA's latest database to see if a particular wood stove is certified. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance characteristics of their products is an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is most suitable for your space.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations is controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls made of fireproof material, and air vents are placed in the walls to provide controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that emissions are reduced.
Modern stoves often have a baffle to increase the combustion time of the fire, which lowers emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emission. This system is more expensive and is utilized only in high-end wood burning stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves still utilize a passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove correctly to get the best performance. A few wood stoves come with active air supply that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the supply of air based on the need.
One of the greatest benefits of wood stoves is that it does not require electricity to run, which makes it a great alternative to heating homes that are located in remote areas or without access to an electric grid. But, if you do not have a backup energy source to rely on in the event of an outage or in case of a snowstorm, a wood stove should not be the sole option for heating your home.
The output of heat
A lot of wood stoves advertise an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is misleading however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is dependent on a number of factors such as the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated.
The climate also affects the heat requirements. Colder regions require stoves with greater BTU rating to maintain comfort.
The type of wood you use and the frequency at which you refuel your fireplace are other factors that influence heat production. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can help circulate the heat produced by the wood stove in the room, rather than having the hot air rise.
It is important to remember that the maximum output of a wood heater should not be reached often, as a continuous high-fire can damage the stove's internals, and result in carbon monoxide leaking into the home.
Regular refueling can improve the efficiency of an fireplace. When adding a log make sure it's not too large and then place it on the embers that are glowing so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or the glass pane. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of being too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to provide a higher heat output with the same amount fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air and using other design features. These stoves often produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than older models.
Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat generated by a wood burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or a hot water tank. This allows the heat to be distributed throughout the home. This is a reliable and cost-effective method to heat homes. However the installation process can take an extended time. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase the overall cost.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are a practical and attractive way of heating your home. However, they are not without risk. A fire could cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes these dangers.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves are safe and in good shape they must be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least once every year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly flammable, and can cause a chimney fire.
When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood select one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This guarantees that the stove is in compliance with the safety standards set by the federal government and is engineered to vent properly. It is also important to examine the hinges, legs and grates of the stove to ensure they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor beneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible material. You can also lay a non-combustible floor tile over your existing flooring when it is combustible.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood can produce excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct could build up inside your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Do not burn trash, cardboard, newspaper or any other combustibles on your wood stove, as they can create dangerous fumes and may not fully burn.
Never "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escaping from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, and also burning other combustible materials in your home. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be in working order at all times.