Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to relax and provide warmth to a whole house. Some of these devices emit harmful gases, such as creosote, which can be dangerous for the health of your family and your property.
It is crucial to take care of these stoves. Some of the most important points to keep in mind include: avoiding overheating the room making a mess of the fire, and using appropriately dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes and fire logs. Click That Link burning options are healthier and more eco-friendly than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they do still emit smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to keep them working at their best.
Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it is the correct fuel for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your stove and chimney, causing expensive repairs or voiding the warranty. It's illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel is in compliance with the sulphur and smoke emission standards, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the package or beside the name of the brand and price.
Suitable fuels must be seasoned (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves heat output and efficiency in combustion. The type of wood selected should also meet your heating requirements. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are excellent value for money, however hardwoods such as oak and beech generate more hot embers and do so over a longer time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry do not just provide efficient heating but also elevate the ambiance by releasing pleasant aromas.
If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel fire. combining wood with smokeless briquettes will help keep the flames burning and warm up your home for longer. The briquettes can be used as a backup and also help in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will generate more heat, use less fuel and generate fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, make sure it is installed by a registered installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A properly maintained appliance will be more economical to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are a great source of heat, however their design is important to take into consideration. Smoke and carbon monoxide are unwanted byproducts that can cause harm to health and the environment. The key to reducing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and 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. You can determine whether a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or checking the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who are aware of the performance characteristics of their selection is an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity might be most suitable for your space.
Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a crucial aspect of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls made of fireproof materials and air vents are located in the walls to ensure controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and that emissions are minimized.
Modern stoves often have baffles that increase the time the fire burns, reducing the amount of fumes and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves also employ an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This kind of system is more expensive and is generally only used in high-end wood stoves.
Stoves employ different types of air control systems to regulate the flow of air. Most wood stoves use a basic passive supply of air which requires that the operator (you), operate the stove correctly to achieve maximum efficiency. Some stoves feature active air supply systems that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when required.
One of the greatest benefits of a wood stove is that it doesn't require electricity to run, which makes it an ideal alternative heating option for homes that are remote or do not have access to an electric grid. If you don't have a backup heating source in the event of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, the wood stove isn't your only option to warm your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves boast their peak heat output in BTUs. This is misleading, however, as the actual heating capacity of a wood stove is dependent on a variety of variables such as the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
woodburning stoves of the area is also a factor in the heating requirements. To maintain comfort in colder areas, you need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
The type of wood and the frequency you refill your fireplace are other factors that influence heat production. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. The stove fan can also help transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner throughout the room, instead of having the hot air rise upwards.
It is essential to keep in mind that the maximum power of a wood heater is not to be reached frequently as a continuous high-fire can damage the stove's internals, and result in carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
Regular refueling can also enhance the efficiency of the fireplace. When adding a log, make sure it's not too large and set it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs more often instead of allowing too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to achieve a higher level of heat output with the same amount of fuel, by providing pre-heated combustion air, as well as other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than older models.
A few people also decide 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 hot water tank. This allows the heat to be distributed throughout the home. This is an efficient and cost effective way to heat a home even though the installation process can be quite extensive. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy required to run a boiler will increase overall costs.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves can be a convenient and attractive way to heat your home. However, they are not without their risks. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire, and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. These risks can be avoided by maintaining and using the fireplace with wood burning.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney at least once a year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote about halfway through the season. It is extremely explosive and can lead to a fire in the chimney.
When you are buying a wood-burning stove, look for one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This will guarantee that the stove is built to meet federal safety standards, and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Check the hinges, legs, and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely attached to the floor of the stove.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is reinforced and made from non-combustible materials. It is also possible to lay a sheet of non-combustible floor tiles over the existing flooring, especially if you live in an old mobile home with combustible floors.
Only burn hardwoods that are dry and seasoned. Wood that is damp and green produces an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals into your home. Don't burn trash, cardboard, newspaper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove, since they can create dangerous fumes and could not fully burn.
Don't "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can result in flames leaving the combustion chamber and cause damage to the chimney connector, the stove and the chimney itself, and also burning other combustible materials in your home. It is also important to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be functioning at all times.