Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove

A wood stove is a warm and cozy space to relax and warm a whole house. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases such as creosote that could be harmful to the health of your family and property.

A proper care for these stoves is vital. Some of the most important points to remember include: not overheating the space or tinkering 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, such as briquettes or fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional house coal or wet wood. They do emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance to work at their best.

Before using or purchasing any fuel, make sure you read the manufacturer's instructions and make sure that the type is recommended for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your chimney and stove and cause costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This means that the fuel is within the limits of sulphur and smoke emission limits and is legally purchased for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the packaging or alongside the name of the brand and price.

Suitable fuels are seasoned (stored and then split for a few months prior to use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods such as spruce and pine provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak generate more hot embers for longer durations. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can not only be used to heat the home, but also add a pleasant aroma.

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 up your home for a longer time. The briquettes are a good backup and can also prevent a chimney-fire by keeping the air flowing.

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. A regularly serviced appliance is more cost-effective to run and will protect your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.

Design

The design of wood burning stoves on sale stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or complementing source of heat. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke can be harmful to the environment and health. The most important factor in reducing the emissions is to operate with a proper manner and a well-planned design.

Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally friendly than older models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for an iron EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or check out the EPA's current database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Hearth-related stores in your area can also be a great source to learn more about wood stoves, such as the size and capacity that is the best fit for your space.

A key part of the EPA emission regulations is the control of the flow of air through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by a wall of fireproof materials and air vents are positioned in the walls to provide controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that the emissions are minimized.

Many modern stoves use an air baffle that improves the combustion time of the fire, which decreases emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This method is more expensive and is utilized only in high-end wood burning stove for shed burning stoves.

Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate the flow of air. The majority of wood stoves utilize the basic air supply that is passive, which requires that the owner (you) control the stove in a way that allows the best performance. Some stoves feature active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply as necessary.

One of the greatest benefits of wood stoves is that it does not require electricity to run, which makes it an ideal alternative to heating homes that are remote or aren't connected to a power grid. If you don't have a backup source of heating in the event of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, the wood stove isn't your only option to warm your home.

The output of heat

Many wood stoves advertise their peak heat output in BTUs. This is misleading, however, as the actual heating capacity of a wood stove is contingent on a variety of factors like the size of the room as well as the degree of insulation.

The climate can also affect the heat requirements. To ensure comfort, colder regions need stoves with higher BTU ratings.

Other variables that affect heat production include the kind of wood used and the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned cheap wood burner generates 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 instead of having the hot air rise.

It is vital to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heater stove should not be reached frequently because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and may cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.

Regular refueling can also enhance the efficiency of a fireplace. When adding a log ensure that it's not too large and place it on the embers that are glowing so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs more often rather than 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.

Many people opt to install boiler stoves as part of their heating system. The heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat the water in a hot water tank or central heating system, allowing heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating a home however the process of installation can be quite extensive. This method requires an additional flue and the energy required to run the boiler can increase the total cost.

Safety

Wood stoves and fireplaces can be a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. However, they're not without their risks. Sparks and embers can fly out of a fire and ignite furniture or carpeting A hot chimney can lead to destruction to the structure of your house. These dangers can be minimized by using and maintaining an open fireplace that burns wood.

To ensure that wood-burning stoves remain safe and in good condition they must be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes inspecting the flue and chimney at least once every year for signs of wear or rust and cleaning them. The chimney must be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly flammable, and can cause an explosion in the chimney.

When purchasing a wood-burning stove make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This guarantees that the stove is in compliance with federal safety standards and is engineered to vent properly. Check the legs, hinges, and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely fastened to the floor of the stove.

If you decide to install a wood-burning stove inside your home, make sure the floor underneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible materials. You can also install a non-combustible floor tile over your flooring if it is inflammable.

Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Wet and green woods can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct could build in your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles on your wood stove, as they could release dangerous fumes and may not completely burn.

Don't "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames to escape from the combustion chamber and damage to the stove, chimney connector, and chimney itself. It can also burn other combustible materials in your home. Make sure the fire is completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or going to the bed. In addition, you should have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.