Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a cozy place to warm up and can warm a whole house. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses like creosote which can be dangerous for health and property.
A proper care for these stoves is essential. Some important things to be aware of include: avoiding overheating the room and not tampering with the fire and using properly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can be used to burn a variety of fuels that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels like briquettes or fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional household coal or wet wood. They still emit harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance to function at their peak.
Before you purchase or use any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and ensure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your chimney and stove which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. Using an unapproved fuel could also be illegal, particularly in areas that control smoke. Check for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is typically displayed on the package or beside the name of the brand and price.
Suitable fuels are seasoned (stored and then split for several months before use) or kiln dried to reduce the moisture content, which increases the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood you select should also meet your heating requirements. Softwoods like spruce and pine offer good value heat however, hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers for longer durations. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can not only be used to heat your home and provide a pleasant aroma.
If you have a stove that is able to use multiple fuels, you may want to consider a mixed-fuel fire. Combining outside wood burners with smokeless Briquettes can aid in keeping the flames going for longer and help keep your home warm. The briquettes can be used as a back-up and can help to keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will produce more heat, use less fuel, and produce fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, ensure that it is installed by a registered installer. A regularly serviced appliance will be more economical to run and protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are a fantastic source of heat, however their design is something to take into consideration. Carbon monoxide and smoke are undesirable byproducts that may be harmful to health and the environment. The key to reducing these emissions is correct operation and careful design.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to 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 an iron EPA label on the back of the stove or by checking the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who are aware of the performance capabilities of their inventory is also an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is best for your space.
One of the main components of EPA emission regulations is the control of air flow 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. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and emissions are minimized.
A majority of modern stoves have a baffle that increases the time for combustion of the fire, which reduces emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emission. This system is more expensive and is utilized only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. Most wood stoves use the basic passive supply of air, which requires that the operator (you) manage the stove correctly to achieve the best performance. Certain wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process, and adjust the air supply as required.
One of the greatest benefits of wood stoves is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, which makes it a great alternative for heating homes that are isolated or without access to a grid. If you don't have a backup heating source in case of an outage or snow, then the wood stove isn't your only option to warm your home.
The output of heat
A lot of wood stoves are advertised as having an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is not accurate because the actual output of a wood-burning stove depends on many variables including the dimensions of the room and how well it is insulated.
The climate of the region can also influence heat requirements. To maintain comfort the colder regions require stoves with higher BTU ratings.
The type of wood used and the frequency you replenish your fireplace are additional factors that influence heat production. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. The stove fan can also help circulate the warmth produced by the wood burner into the room, rather than having the hot air rise up.
It is vital to keep in mind that the maximum output of wood heaters should not be a constant event because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and may cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home.
Regular refueling can improve the efficiency of an fireplace. Make sure the log is not too big and is placed on the glowing embers, so it does not contact the glass or walls of the stove. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of waiting too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce greater heat output using 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 homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. This uses the heat generated by the wood burning stove to heat water in a hot water tank or central heating system, allowing the heat to be distributed throughout a house. This is an efficient and economical method of heating a home, although the installation process can be quite extensive. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy required to run back boilers can increase the overall running costs of the wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are a convenient and attractive way to heat your home. However, they are not free of dangers. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes the risk.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to keep them secure and in good condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least twice a year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should also be checked at least once a year for creosote buildup. This is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When purchasing a fireplace with wood burning make sure you choose one that has been endorsed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will ensure that the stove is constructed to comply with federal safety standards and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Also, you should check the legs, hinges and grates of the stove to ensure they are in good condition and securely attached to the floor.
If wood burning stoves near me choose to install a wood stove in your cabin, ensure that the floor underneath it is reinforced and non-combustible. It is also possible to lay a sheet of non-combustible floor tiles over the flooring you have, particularly in the case of an old mobile home that has combustible floors.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wet and green woods can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct could build within your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Do not burn cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles because they can release dangerous fumes, and could not even burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stove- that is, you should not create a bigger fire than the stove is able to handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage to the chimney, stove connector, and chimney itself. It can also burn other combustible materials within your home. Also, ensure that the fire has been completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or retiring to sleep. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.