Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to warm up and can provide warmth to a whole house. However, some of these appliances release harmful gases, like creosote, which could be harmful to health and property.
A proper care for the stoves is crucial. The most important things to keep in mind include: not overheating the space, not messing around with the stove, and using dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety fuels that include dry wood, as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are more environmentally friendly than traditional house coal and wet wood, therefore they are more eco-friendly and healthier to use. They do emit harmful gases and smoke and require regular maintenance in order to work at their best.
Before you purchase or use any fuel, check the manufacturer's instructions and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. Incorrect fuels can cause damage to your chimney or stove which can result in costly repairs and voiding your warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may be illegal, especially in areas that control smoke. Look for the 'Ready To Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets the smoke emission and sulphur limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed along with the price and brand details or on the packaging.
Fuels that are suitable for combustion should be dried or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will improve the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen should also suit your heating needs. Softwoods like spruce and pine provide good value heat, but hardwoods such as oak and beech produce more hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple not only provide effective heating but can improve the ambience of your home by releasing pleasant aromas.
If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and warm your home for a longer period of time. The briquettes are a good 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 also releasing less harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, make sure it is installed by a licensed installer. A well-maintained appliance is more economical to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is an important consideration for those considering their use as a primary or supplementary heating source. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that could cause harm to health and the environment. The key to minimizing these emissions is correct operation and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must comply with 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 check out the EPA's current database to determine the stove is certified. Local hearth products retailers can also be a great resource for learning more about wood stoves, including the size and capacity that is ideal for your home.
Controlling air flow through the stove is a key element of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is surrounded by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents inside these walls, which allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is crucial to ensure that combustion is optimal and emissions are reduced.
Modern stoves often have an air baffle that improves the time for combustion of the fire, which lowers smoke output and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This is more costly and is used only in high-end wood burning stoves.
Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves use a basic passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove to ensure maximum performance. Some wood stoves have active air supply systems that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when necessary.
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 heating source in the event of an outage or snow, then a wood stove shouldn't 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 accurate as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove is dependent on a variety of factors including the size of the room, and how well insulated it is.
The climate of the region also plays a role in heat requirements. Regions that are colder require stoves with more BTU rating to ensure comfort.
Other variables that affect the production of heat are the type of wood used and the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan also assists in circulate the warmth produced by the wood stove into the room, instead of having the hot air rise upwards.
It is important to remember that the highest output of wood heater stoves should not be a constant event because continuous high-fire can cause damage to a stove's innards and can cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular refills. When adding a new log, ensure that it's not too large and then place it on the embers glowing so that it doesn't touch the wall of the stove or the glass pane. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of waiting too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to provide a higher amount of heat output using the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air and other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke than earlier models.
Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, allowing heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating homes. However, the installation process can take a long time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy needed to run a boiler will increase the total cost.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a beautiful and efficient way to heat a home. However, they aren't without risk. A fire could cause carpets or furniture to catch fire, and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. The proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes these dangers.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney at least two times every year for signs of wear or rust and cleaning them. The chimney should also be examined every season for creosote buildup. fireplacesandstoves is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When purchasing a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab that is recognized as a testing lab. This will ensure that the stove has been constructed to comply with federal safety standards and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. 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 decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, make sure that the floor underneath it is insulated and non-combustible. You can also install tiles that are not combustible over your flooring in the event that it is combustible.
Only burn wood that is dry and well-seasoned. Wood that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build in your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles as these can cause dangerous fumes, and could not even burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stovewhich is to you should not create a bigger fire than the stove is able to handle. Overfiring can cause flames to escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the chimney, stove connector, and the chimney itself. It can also burn other combustible materials in your home. It is also crucial to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished before leaving your home or going to sleep. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be functioning at all times.