Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a great method to warm your home and it can also heat the entire home. Some of these appliances emit harmful gases, such as creosote, which could be harmful to the health of your family and your property.
Proper care of these stoves is essential. Some of the most important points to be aware of include: avoiding overheating the room and not tampering with the fire and using correctly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional house coal or wet wood. They still emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance to work at their best.
Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or using any kind of fuel. Make sure it is the correct fuel for your stove. Incorrect fuel could damage your chimney and stove which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. Using an unapproved fuel could be illegal, especially in smoke control areas. Look for the 'Ready To Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging or alongside the brand name and price.
The appropriate fuels must be seasoned (stored and split for several months before use) or kiln-dried to decrease the amount of moisture, which increases heat output and efficiency in combustion. The type of wood you select should also suit your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak produce a higher output of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple are not just used to heat your home but also provide 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 maintain the flames and warm up your home for a longer period of time. Briquettes can be a great backup and can also prevent a chimney-fire by keeping the air flowing.
A well-maintained stove will create more heat, use less fuel and generate fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood stove, make sure it is installed by a licensed installer. Regularly serviced appliances are more efficient and protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial aspect to consider when considering their use as a primary or supplementary source of heat. Unwanted byproducts from combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke, pose a risk to the environment and health. The key to reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and careful design.
Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally sustainable than older models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency regulations that maximize the amount of heat they generate. Look for a metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove, or look through the EPA's current database to determine if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth-related stores in your area are also a great resource for learning more about wood stoves, including what size and capacity is best for your space.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations is the control of air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by walls made of fireproof materials and air vents are placed within the walls to allow controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and that the emissions are minimized.
Many modern stoves have baffles that increase the time the fire burns which reduces the amount gas and smoke that can cause harm. second hand wood burner utilize catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This system is more expensive and is utilized only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate air flow. The majority of wood stoves still employ a basic passive air supply, which requires the operator (you) to operate the stove properly in order to achieve peak performance. Some wood stoves come with active air supply, which are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the supply of air based on the need.
Wood stoves are a great alternative heating solution for homes in remote areas or those who are not connected to the electricity grid. If you don't have a backup source of heating in the event of an outage, or if there is snow, then wood stoves shouldn't be your sole option for heating your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves are advertised with a peak heat output rate in BTUs. This is not true, however, as the actual heating capacity of the wood stove is dependent on a number of factors such as the size of the room and how well it's insulated.
Climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. Regions that are colder require stoves with greater BTU rating to maintain comfort.
The type of wood you use and the frequency at which you refill your fireplace are additional elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. A stove fan may help circulate the heat produced by the wood stove in the room rather than have the hot air rise.
It is important to remember that the maximum power of a wood heating stove should not be exceeded frequently, as a continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
Regular refueling can also improve the performance of an 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 glass pane. It's also best to add smaller logs more frequently instead of allowing too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to provide a higher amount of heat output with the same amount of fuel, by providing prewarmed combustion air and other design features. They typically 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. It uses 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 house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method to heat a home even though the installation process can be very extensive. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run back boilers can increase the running costs of the wood stove.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are attractive and a convenient method of heating a home. They do come with risks. Sparks and embers can fly from a burning fire and ignite furniture or carpeting and a hot chimney could cause destruction to the structure of your home. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes the risk.
Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good working condition. This includes examining the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear and having them cleaned at least two times per year. The chimney should be inspected for creosote about halfway through the season. This is highly explosive and can lead to 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 that is recognized as a testing lab. This will assure you that the stove has been constructed to meet the safety standards of the federal government, and is designed for proper venting. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely secured to a stove's floor.
If you decide to install a wood-burning stove in your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible materials. You can also install tiles that are not combustible over your flooring if it is combustible.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. second hand wood burner that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build within your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Do not burn cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles, because they can release dangerous fumes, and could not even burn.
Do not "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than the stove is capable of handling. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escape from the combustion chamber and causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials in your home. Also, ensure that the fire has been completely snuffed out prior to leaving your cabin or retiring to bed. Also, you must have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.