Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is an ideal place to relax and provide warmth to a whole house. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses like creosote which can be dangerous for health and property.
It is crucial to maintain these stoves. A few important factors to be aware of include making sure the room isn't overheated, not messing with the fire and using correctly dried firewood that is properly dried.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional household coal or wet wood. However, they emit some smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best.
Before using or purchasing any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your chimney and stove, causing expensive repairs or invalidating the warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the "Ready to Burn" logo. This indicates that the fuel is within the smoke emission and sulphur limit limits and can be legally purchased for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging or alongside the name of the brand and its price.
Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and then split for a few months prior to use) or kiln-dried to decrease the moisture content which improves heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating requirements. Softwoods like spruce and pine offer good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak produce greater quantities of hot embers over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only provide efficient heating but also elevate the ambiance by their pleasant scents.
If you have a multi-fuel stove, think about a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and keep your home warm for a longer period of time. The briquettes can be used as a back-up and can help to keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will generate more heat, burn less fuel and create fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, ensure that it is installed by a licensed installer. Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and help protect the environment and your health by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is crucial to take into consideration. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that may have a negative impact on health and the environment. Correct operation and careful design are the most important factors in reducing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency standards that maximize the amount of heat they produce. Look for an iron EPA certification label on the back of the stove or look through the EPA's current database to determine whether a particular stove is certified. Visiting local hearth products retailers who are aware of the performance of their selection is an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity may be the best fit for your home.
A key part of the EPA emission regulations is controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents inside these walls to allow for controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that the combustion is optimal and emissions are minimized.
A majority of modern stoves have an air baffle that improves the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases smoke output and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emission. This system is more expensive and used only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves utilize a passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove correctly in order to achieve peak performance. Certain wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply as needed.
Wood stoves are an excellent alternative for heating homes in remote areas or those that aren't connected to the electric grid. If you do not have a backup source of heat in case of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, the wood stove isn't the only option to heat your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves advertise their peak heat output in BTUs. This is not true however, as the actual heating capacity of the wood stove is dependent on a number of factors like the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated.
Climate also has an impact on the heat requirements. The colder regions require stoves with a a higher BTU rating to ensure the comfort.
The type of wood you use and the frequency with which you replenish your fireplace are also factors that influence heat production. Dry, seasoned firewood 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 important to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heating stove is not to be reached frequently because a continuous fire could damage the stove's internals, and result in carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove can be enhanced by regular fueling. When adding a log, make sure it's not too large and place it on the embers that are glowing so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of taking too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to provide greater heat output using the same amount fuel. freestanding wood burner is accomplished by prewarming combustion air, and using other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than earlier models.
Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove 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 a home. This is an efficient and economical method of heating a home however the process of installation can be very extensive. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy needed to run a back boiler will raise the operating costs of a wood stove.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a practical and attractive method of heating your home. However, they are not free of dangers. Sparks and embers can fly from a burning fire and ignite carpeting or furniture and a hot chimney could cause destruction to the structure of your home. These risks can be avoided by using and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace.
To keep wood-burning stoves safe and in good working order they must be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue for signs of rust and wear, and having them cleaned at least once a year. The chimney must be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly explosive and can lead to a chimney fire.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace select one that has been endorsed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This guarantees that the stove complies with the safety standards set by the federal government and is designed to ventilate properly. Check the legs, hinges, and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely fastened to a stove's floor.
If you choose to install a wood-burning fireplace in your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is reinforced and made from non-combustible material. You can also install a non-combustible floor tile over your flooring if it is fire-proof.
Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Dry and damp wood creates an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Do not burn cardboard or paper, trash, or any other combustibles as these can cause dangerous fumes, and could not even burn.
Don't "over fire" your wood stove- that is, create a larger fire than the stove is able to handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escaping from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and chimney itself, and also burning other combustible material in your home. Make sure the fire has been completely smothered before leaving your home or retiring to sleep. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.