Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a great method to warm your home and it can also be used to heat your entire home. Certain stoves emit harmful gases, such as creosote, which is dangerous to health and property.
It is essential to take care of these stoves. Some important things to be aware of include making sure the room isn't overheated, not messing with the fire and using properly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety of fuels that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels like briquettes or fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional household coal or wet wood. They do emit harmful smoke and gases, 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 right fuel for your stove. Incorrect fuels can cause damage to your chimney or stove and cause costly repairs and invalidating your warranty. It's illegal to use fuel that is not approved particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel meets the sulphur and smoke emission standards, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the packaging, or along with the brand name and price.
The fuels suitable for burning must be dried or seasoned to reduce moisture content. This can increase the heat output and efficiency of combustion. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating requirements. Softwoods such as pine and spruce offer an excellent value for money but hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers, and they do so for a longer time. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only provide efficient heating but also elevate the ambiance by releasing pleasant aromas.
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 keep your home warm for a longer period of time. Briquettes can be used as a backup and can also keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have an oil or gas-fired wood stove, ensure that it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme such as HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). Regularly serviced appliances are more efficient and safeguard your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is an important aspect to consider when considering them as a primary or complementing heat source. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke, are a concern for environmental and health impacts. The most important factor in reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for the metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove, or go through the EPA's latest database to determine if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area are also a great source to learn more about wood stoves, and the size and capacity that is best for your space.
A key part of the EPA emission regulations is the control of the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents in these walls that allow for controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and that the emissions are minimized.
Many modern stoves have baffles that prolong the duration of the fire which reduces the amount smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves also employ catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This type of system is more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate the flow of air. Most wood stoves use a basic air supply that is passive and require that the user (you) manage the stove correctly to achieve the best performance. 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.
Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative to heating homes in remote areas or that aren't connected to the electric grid. But, if you do not have a backup energy source that you can rely on in the event of an interruption or a snowstorm, a wood stove should not be your sole option for heating your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves are advertised as having a peak heat output rate in BTUs. This is not true however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is dependent on a number of factors such as the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
The climate also affects the heating requirements. To ensure comfort in colder areas, you need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
shed wood burner fireplacesandstoves of wood and the frequency at which you replenish your fireplace are also elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan also assists in circulate the warmth produced by the wood burner into the room instead of having the hot air rise upwards.
It is crucial to remember that the maximum output of a wood heater should not be exceeded frequently, as a continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's internals, and result in carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove can also be improved through regular fueling. When adding a log, make sure it's not too large and then place it on the glowing embers so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs more frequently, rather than leaving too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed for a higher heat output with the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air before heating it and by incorporating other features into the design. These stoves emit less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than older models.
Some people opt to install the boiler stove as component 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 lets the heat be distributed in the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating the home. However the installation process could take an extended time. This method requires an additional flue and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase overall costs.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a practical and attractive way to heat your home. However, they are not without risk. Sparks and embers can spout out of a fire and ignite carpeting or furniture, and a burning chimney that is hot can cause damage to the structure of your house. These risks can be avoided by maintaining and using an open fireplace that burns wood.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves remain safe and in good condition, they should be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least twice 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 purchasing a wood-burning stove make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab that is recognized as a testing lab. This guarantees that the stove meets the safety standards set by the federal government and is designed to ventilate properly. It is also important to inspect the hinges, legs and grates on a stove to ensure they are in good condition and are securely fastened to the floor.
If you opt to install a wood-burning stove in your home, ensure that the floor underneath it is a sturdy and constructed of non-combustible materials. You can also lay tiles that are not combustible over your existing flooring if it is combustible.
Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct could build within your chimney, which releases harmful chemicals. Do not burn cardboard or paper, trash, or any other combustibles because they can release dangerous fumes and not even ignite.
Don't "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove is capable of handling. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escape from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials in your home. Make sure the fire is completely smothered before leaving your home or going to the bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be in working order at all times.