Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is an excellent way to warm your home and can also heat the entire home. Certain stoves emit harmful gases, such as creosote, which could be harmful to the health of your family and your property. The proper care of these stoves is vital. The most important things to keep in mind include: not overheating the space and not tinkering with the stove, and using 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 more eco-friendly than traditional household coal or wet wood. They still emit some harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance to work at their best. Before using or purchasing any fuel, make sure you read the manufacturer's directions and make sure that the type is recommended for your stove. Unsuitable fuels can damage your stove or chimney which can result in costly repairs and voiding your warranty. It is illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms 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 displayed alongside the price and brand details or on the packaging. The fuels that are suitable for use must be prepared (stored and then split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content which improves heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating requirements. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are good value for money, but hardwoods like oak and beech generate more hot embers and do so over a longer time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can be used not only to heat the house and provide a pleasant scent. If you have a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help to keep the flames going and warm your home for a longer period of time. Briquettes are a great alternative and can stop a chimney fire 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, make sure that it is installed by a registered installer. A properly maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions. Design The design of wood stoves is a crucial aspect to consider when considering their use as a primary or secondary heat source. Carbon monoxide and smoke are unwanted byproducts that can be harmful to health and the environment. The key to reducing these emissions is correct operation and a well-planned design. Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally friendly than older models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. You can check if 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 knowledgeable about the performance capabilities of their inventory is also an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is most suitable for your space. Controlling the flow of air through the stove is an essential part of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by fireproof walls, and there are air vents within these walls that allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that combustion is optimal and emissions are minimized. A majority of modern stoves have a baffle to increase the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This type of system is more expensive and is generally only used in high-end wood stoves. Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. Most wood stoves use an inherently passive supply of air which requires that the owner (you) control the stove in a way that allows maximum performance. Some wood stoves come with active air supplies that are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the supply of air according to the needs. One of the greatest benefits of a wood stove is that it doesn't require electricity to run, which makes it an ideal alternative to heating homes that are remote or aren't connected to an electric power grid. If you do not have a backup heating source in the event of an outage or an imminent snow storm, wood stoves shouldn't be the only option to heat your home. The output of heat A lot of wood stoves are advertised with the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading because the actual output of a wood-burning fireplace is contingent on many factors such as the dimensions of the room and how well insulated it is. Fireplaces & Stoves of the region also plays a role in heat requirements. To keep warm the colder regions require stoves with higher BTU ratings. Other factors that affect the production of heat include the kind of wood used and the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan can also help transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner into the room, instead of having the hot air rise. It is crucial to remember that the highest output of wood heaters should not be reached frequently as continuous high firing causes damage to a stove's innards and may cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home. The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular fueling. When adding a new log, make sure it's not too large and place it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or the glass pane. Make smaller logs more often instead of waiting 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 by incorporating other features into the design. They typically produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than earlier models. Some people opt to install the boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat generated by a wood-burning stove is used to heat water for a central heating system or hot water tank. This allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is a more efficient and cost-effective method of heating a house, although the installation process can be very extensive. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run back boilers will increase the running costs of a wood stove. Safety Wood stoves and fireplaces are attractive and a convenient method of heating a home. However, they aren't without their risks. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire, and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. The proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces the risk. To ensure that wood-burning stoves remain safe and in good working order They should be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least twice a year for signs of wear or rust and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote at the end of each season. This is highly explosive and can lead to a chimney fire. When purchasing a fireplace with wood burning select one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This ensures that the stove is in compliance with federal safety standards and is designed to vent properly. Check the legs, hinges and grates to make sure they are in good condition and securely fastened to the floor of the stove. If you choose to install a wood-burning stove inside your home, make sure the floor beneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible materials. You might also want to lay a piece of non-combustible floor tile over the flooring you have, particularly in the case of an old mobile home that has combustible floors. Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood produces excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build in your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Do not burn cardboard, trash, paper, or any other combustibles, as these can cause dangerous fumes and not even ignite. Never over fire your wood stove -- that is, generate a larger flame than the stove is able to handle. Overfiring can cause flames to escape from the combustion chamber and damage the stove, chimney connector, and chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other materials that are combustible in your home. Also, make sure that the fire has been completely snuffed out before leaving your home or going to sleep. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be working at all times.
Fireplaces & Stoves
