20 Questions You Should Always Be Asking About Wood Heater Stove Before You Purchase Wood Heater Stove
Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm your home and it can also warm the entire home. However, certain appliances release harmful gases, such as creosote that can be dangerous to health and property.
Proper care of these stoves is vital. Some important things to remember are to avoid overheating the space and not tinkering with the stove, and using dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes and fire logs. These alternative fuels that burn cleanly are less polluting than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are more eco-friendly and safer to use. However, they do still emit some toxic gases and smoke. They also require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their peak.
Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to purchasing or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it's the correct fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. It could be illegal to use unapproved fuel, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready To Burn logo, which indicates 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 details of the price and brand or on the packaging.
Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and then split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to decrease the moisture content, which increases heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood selected must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce provide an excellent value for money however hardwoods such as oak and beech generate more hot embers and do so over a longer time. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry not only provide effective heating but can enhance the ambience by releasing pleasant aromas.
If you have an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel fire; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help to keep the flames going and warm your home for a longer time. The briquettes can be used as a back-up and also help keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while releasing fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, make sure it is installed by a licensed installer. Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and protect the environment and your health by preventing harmful emission.
Design
Wood stoves are a fantastic source of heat, however their design is something to think about. Smoke and carbon monoxide are unwanted byproducts that can have a negative impact on health and the environment. The most important factor in reducing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are more environmentally sustainable than older models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency standards that maximize the amount of heat they generate. You can verify whether a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or by looking through the EPA database. Hearth-related stores in your area are also a great source to learn more about wood stoves, such as the size and capacity that is best for your space.
Controlling the flow of air through the stove is an essential aspect of EPA emission regulations. outside wood burners is enclosed by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents inside these walls to allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion is at its best and emissions are minimized.
A lot of modern stoves come with baffles that increase the time the fire burns, reducing the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emission. This is more expensive and used only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate air flow. The majority of wood stoves utilize a passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove to ensure maximum performance. Some wood stoves have active air sources that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process, and adjust the air supply as necessary.
One of the most significant advantages of a wood stove is that it does not require electricity to operate, making it an excellent alternative heating option for homes that are located in remote areas or without access to a power grid. But, if you do not have a backup energy source to rely on during a power interruption or snow storms, a wood stove is not the sole option for heating your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves boast their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not true, however, as the actual heating capacity of a wood stove is contingent on a variety of factors like the size of the room and the degree of insulation.
The climate of the area also plays a role in heat requirements. To maintain comfort, colder regions need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
The type of wood and the frequency with which you replenish your fireplace are also factors that affect the production of heat. Dry, seasoned firewood generates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan also helps to move the heat generated by the wood burner into the room, instead of having the hot air rise up.
It is vital to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heater stove is not to be reached often because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and may cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could be enhanced by regular fueling. Make sure the log isn't too big and placed on the glowing embers, so it does not contact the glass or walls of the stove. Make smaller logs more often instead of waiting too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to achieve a higher level of heat output with the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air as well as other design features. These stoves typically produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than older models.
Some people choose to install boiler stoves as part of their heating system. The heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat the water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, allowing heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is an efficient and economical method of heating a home, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy needed to run back boilers can raise the operating costs of a wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces are a beautiful and efficient way to heat a home. They do come with risks. Sparks and embers can fly from a burning fire and ignite carpeting or furniture and a burning chimney that is hot can cause fire damage to the structure of your house. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove reduces the risk.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes inspecting the flue and chimney at least once a year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should also be checked halfway through the season for creosote buildup, which is highly flammable and can cause chimney fires.
When buying a stove for wood burning be sure to choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab that is recognized as a testing lab. This guarantees that the stove complies with the safety standards set by the federal government and is engineered to vent properly. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good shape and securely fastened to the floor of the stove.
If you opt to install a wood-burning stove in your home, ensure that the floor beneath it is reinforced and made from non-combustible material. It is also possible to lay a layer of non-combustible floor tiles on top of the flooring that is in place, especially in the case of an old mobile home with flooring that is combustible.
Always burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Dry and damp wood creates 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. Do not burn trash, cardboard, paper or other combustibles in your wood stove as they can create dangerous fumes, and they may not fully burn.
Don't "over fire" your wood stovethat is, to you should not create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escaping from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible material in your home. It is also essential to ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out before leaving your home or going to sleep. In addition, you should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your house.