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 house. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote, which could be harmful to health and property. Proper care of these stoves is vital. Some important things to remember are: not overheating the space and not tinkering with the fire, and using properly-dried firewood. Fuel Wood stoves can be used to burn a variety of fuels, including dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels like briquettes or fire logs. These clean burning alternative fuels are less prone to pollution than traditional household coal and wet wood, which means they are better for the environment and healthier to use. They still emit some harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance in order to work at their best. Before you purchase or use any fuel, make sure you read the manufacturer's directions and make sure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your chimney and stove, causing expensive repairs or invalidating the warranty. It's illegal to use fuel that is not approved particularly in smoke control zones. Check for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates 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 placed alongside the price and details about the brand or on the packaging. The appropriate fuels should be seasoned (stored and then split for a few months before use) or kiln-dried to decrease the amount of moisture which improves heat output and efficiency in combustion. 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 but hardwoods like oak and beech generate more hot embers, and they do so for a longer time. corner wood burner like cherry and apple not only offer efficient heating, but also elevate the ambiance by their pleasant scents. If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel stove; combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help to keep the flames going and warm up your home for longer. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and also help keep a chimney from burning 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 own 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 maintained appliances are more efficient and help protect the environment and your health by preventing harmful emissions. Design The design of wood stoves is a crucial consideration for those considering them as a primary or secondary source of heat. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke are a concern for health and environmental impact. The key to minimizing these emissions is correct operation and a well-planned design. Modern wood stoves are more environmentally sustainable than older 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 check out the EPA's current database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area can also be a great source for information on wood stoves, and what size and capacity is ideal for your home. A key part of the EPA emission regulations involves controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by a wall of fireproof material, and air vents are positioned in the walls to ensure controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that the emissions are minimized. A lot of modern stoves come with baffles that prolong the amount of time that the fire burns, reducing the amount of fumes and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves also employ a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This type of system is more expensive and is generally only found in top-end wood stoves. Stoves also use small wood burning heater of air control systems to regulate the airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves use a basic air supply that is passive which requires that the owner (you) manage the stove in a way that allows the best performance. A few wood stoves also come with active air sources, which are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the amount of air as needed. Wood stoves are an excellent alternative heating solution for homes in remote areas or without access to the electric grid. If you don't have a backup heating source in the event of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, wood stoves shouldn't be the only option to heat your home. The output of heat Many wood stoves are advertised with an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is a mistake 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 it is insulated. The climate of the region also plays a role in heat requirements. To keep warm the colder regions require stoves that have higher BTU ratings. Other factors that affect heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of refueling. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can also assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood stove in the room rather than have the hot air rise. It is essential to keep in mind that the maximum power of a wood heater should not be exceeded frequently because a continuous fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and lead to carbon monoxide leaking into the home. The performance of a stove can also be improved through regular fueling. Make sure that the log isn't too large and that it is placed on the embers that are glowing so that it doesn't get in the way of the glass or walls of the stove. It's also recommended to add smaller logs frequently instead of allowing too much time between additions. High efficiency stoves are designed to produce a greater amount of heat output using the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air, as well as other design features. These stoves often produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than earlier models. Some people also opt to install a back boiler stove as part 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 allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method to heat a home, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy needed to run back boilers will increase the running costs of a wood stove. Safety Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. However, they're not without risk. A fire can cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. The dangers can be reduced by using and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace. 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 for signs of rust and wear and having them cleaned at least twice per year. The chimney should also be inspected every season to check for creosote accumulation, which is extremely flammable and could cause chimney fires. When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will guarantee that the stove has been constructed to meet federal safety standards, and is designed for proper venting. You should also examine the hinges, legs and grates on a stove to ensure that they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor. If you decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor beneath it is reinforced and non-combustible. You can also put a non-combustible floor tile over your existing flooring in the event that it is inflammable. Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood produces excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct could build up inside your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Don't burn cardboard, paper, trash or other combustibles in your wood stove as they can create dangerous fumes and may not fully burn. Never "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove can handle. Over firing can result in flames escaping from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials in your home. It is also essential to make sure the fire is fully extinguished prior to leaving your home or going to bed. Finally, you should always have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
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