Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to relax and heat a whole home. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote which can be hazardous to health and property.
It is crucial to maintain these stoves. The most important things to keep in mind are: not overheating the space and not tinkering with the fire, and using properly-dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are more environmentally friendly than traditional household coal and wet wood, which means they are better for the environment and healthier to use. They still emit some harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance in order to work at their best.
Before using or purchasing any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and ensure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Incorrect fuel could damage your chimney and stove which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. It could be illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This means that the fuel is within limits of sulphur and smoke emission limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the package or beside the name of the brand and its price.
Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and then split for a few months prior to use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The kind of wood you choose must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods such as pine and spruce offer good value for money, however, hardwoods such as oak or beech generate more hot embers, and they do so for a longer time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can not only be used to heat your home but also provide a pleasant scent.
If you have a multi-fuel stove, think about a mixed fuel fire; mixing smokeless briquettes with wood will help keep the flames burning and warm your home for a longer period of time. 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 producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, ensure that it is installed by a licensed installer. A well-maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is crucial to take into consideration. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke pose a risk to environmental and health impacts. The most important factor in reducing these emissions is correct operation and a careful design.
Wood Burning Stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must meet strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. You can verify whether a wood stove is certified by looking for a metal EPA label on the back or checking the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who are knowledgeable about the performance capabilities of their inventory is also an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and which size and capacity might be best for your space.
A key part of the EPA emission regulations is controlling the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is surrounded by a wall of fireproof material, and air vents are positioned within the walls to allow controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that the emissions are reduced.
A majority of modern stoves have a baffle that increases the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases smoke output and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emissions. This method is more costly and is used only in high-end wood burning stoves.
Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate air flow. Most wood stoves have the basic passive air supply, which requires that the operator (you) manage the stove correctly to achieve maximum efficiency. A few wood stoves come with active air supply, which are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the amount of air as needed.
Wood stoves are an excellent alternative to heating homes in remote areas or those that aren't connected to the electric grid. If you do not have a backup source of heating in the event of a power outage or an imminent snow storm, a wood stove shouldn't be your sole option for heating your home.
Heat output
A lot of wood stoves are advertised as having the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading since the actual amount of heat produced of a wood-burning stove depends on a variety of factors including the size of the room and how well insulated it is.
The climate can also affect the requirements for heat. Colder regions require stoves with a higher BTU rating to ensure the temperature.
Other variables that affect the production of heat include the type of wood used and the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned wood generates 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 up.
It is important to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heating stove is not to be reached frequently because a continuous fire could damage the stove's internals and lead to carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could also be improved by regular refueling. Make sure that the log isn't too large and placed on the embers that are glowing, so it does not contact the glass or walls of the stove. Make smaller logs more often, rather than taking too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce a greater amount of heat output from the same amount of fuel by providing prewarmed combustion air as well as other design features. These stoves emit less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than earlier models.
Some people opt to install boiler stoves as part of their heating system. This uses the heat generated by the wood burning stove to heat the water in the hot water tank or central heating system, allowing the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method to heat the home. However, the installation process can take quite a long time. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy needed to run a back boiler will increase the overall running costs of wood stoves.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are a practical and attractive method of heating your home. However, they're not without risk. A fire can cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. These risks can be avoided by using and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace.
To keep wood-burning stoves safe and in good condition, they should be regularly checked and maintained. This includes inspecting the flue and chimney at least once each year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney must be inspected for creosote about halfway through the season. It is extremely flammable, and can cause an explosion in the chimney.
When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will ensure that the stove is built to meet the safety standards of the federal government, and is designed to allow proper venting. Check the legs, hinges and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely fastened to a stove's floor.
If you decide to put in a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor underneath it is insulated and non-combustible. You can also lay tiles that are not combustible over the flooring you have in place if it is fire-proof.
Only burn hardwoods that are dry and well-seasoned. Dry and damp wood creates an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Avoid burning trash, cardboard, newspaper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove, as they can create dangerous fumes and may not completely burn.
Don't "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove is capable of handling. Over firing can result in flames escape from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible material in your home. Make sure the fire has been completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to sleep. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be in working order at all times.