Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is an ideal place to warm up and can heat a whole home. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases like creosote, which could be harmful to the health of your family and property.
A proper care for these stoves is vital. Some important things to remember are to avoid overheating the area or tinkering with the fire, and using dry firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These clean burning alternative fuels are more environmentally friendly than traditional house coal and wet wood, which means they are more eco-friendly and safer to use. They do emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance to work at their best.
Read the instructions of the manufacturer prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it's the correct fuel for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your chimney and stove which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could also be illegal, particularly in areas that control smoke. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel meets sulphur and smoke emission limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is often displayed along with the price and details about the brand or on the packaging.
Suitable fuels must be prepared (stored and then split for several 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 must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods like spruce and pine offer good value heat but hardwoods like oak and beech produce a higher output of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple can not only be used to heat your home, but also add a pleasant aroma.
If you own a multi-fuel stove, think about a mixed fuel fire; combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and warm your home for longer. The briquettes can be used as a backup and can help to in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving.
A well-maintained stove will generate more heat, burn less fuel and create less harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure that it is fitted by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and help protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emission.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or supplementary source of heat. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke pose a risk to health and environmental impact. Correct operation and careful design are key factors in minimizing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are more eco friendly than older models. All EPA certified stoves must comply with strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. Look for an iron EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or look through the EPA's current database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Going to local hearth stores who are aware of the performance capabilities of their inventory is also a great way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity is the best fit for your home.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations involves controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents inside these walls that allow for controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that the combustion is efficient and emissions are reduced.
small woodburners use an air baffle that improves the time to burn the fire, which decreases the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ catalyst converters to decrease NOx emissions. This kind of system is a little more expensive and is generally only used in high-end wood stoves.
Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate the air flow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves employ a basic passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove properly in order to achieve peak performance. A few wood stoves also come with active air sources that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the supply of air as needed.
Wood stoves are a great alternative to heating homes in remote areas or those without access to the electric grid. However, if you do not have a backup heat source that you can rely on during a power outage or an upcoming snowstorm, a wooden stove should not be your only option for heating your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not accurate because the actual output of a wood-burning stove depends on many variables such as the size of the room, and how well it is insulated.
The climate also affects the heating requirements. Regions that are colder require stoves with greater BTU rating to ensure comfort.
The type of wood used and the frequency with which you refuel your fireplace are additional factors that affect the production of heat. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. A stove fan may help circulate the heat produced by the wood burner within 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 should not be reached frequently since continuous high fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and can cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could also be improved by regular refueling. When adding a log make sure it's not too large and then place it on the embers glowing so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs frequently instead of allowing too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to achieve a higher level of heat output from the same amount of fuel, by supplying pre-heated combustion air and other design features. These stoves typically produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than previous models.
A few people also decide 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 a hot water tank or central heating system, allowing the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is a reliable and cost-effective method to heat homes. However the installation process could take an extended time. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy required to run back boilers can raise the operating costs of a wood stove.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. They are not without risks. Sparks and embers can fly out of a flame and ignite furniture or carpeting A hot chimney can lead to destruction to the structure of your home. The proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove reduces the dangers.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney at least once a year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should also be examined at least once a year for creosote buildup. This is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace make sure you choose one that has been endorsed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will assure you that the stove has been constructed to comply with federal safety standards and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good shape and securely attached to a stove's floor.
If you opt to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor beneath it is sturdy and made of non-combustible materials. You can also lay a non-combustible tile over your existing flooring in the event that it is combustible.
Only burn wood burning stoves small that are seasoned and dry. Wood that is damp or green can produce excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build within your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, paper, trash or any other combustibles on your wood stove, as they can create dangerous fumes and could not burn completely.
Never "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, which can damage to the chimney, stove connector, and the chimney itself. It can also burn other materials that are combustible in your home. Also, make sure that the fire has been completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or going to sleep. Also, you must have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.