12 Companies Are Leading The Way In Wood Heater Stove
Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a great way to warm your home and it can also warm the entire house. Some of these appliances emit harmful gasses, such as creosote, which is dangerous to health and property.
The proper care of these stoves is vital. The most important things to keep in mind are to avoid overheating the stove or 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 such as briquettes or fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they do still release smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their best.
Before purchasing or using any fuel, check the manufacturer's directions and ensure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. It's illegal to use unapproved fuel particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel is in compliance with the sulphur and smoke emission standards and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is typically displayed on the packaging, or along with the brand name and price.
british wood burning stoves that are suitable for burning should be dried or seasoned to reduce moisture content. This will improve the amount of heat produced and improve the efficiency of combustion. The kind of wood you choose will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods such as spruce and pine offer good value heat however, hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers for longer durations. Fruitwoods like cherry and apple not only offer efficient heating, but also enhance the ambience with their pleasant aromas.
If you own a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel stove; mixing smokeless briquettes with wood can help to keep the flames going and warm up your home for a longer time. Briquettes are a great backup option and can help prevent a chimney-fire by ensuring that the air is flowing.
A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, make sure that it is installed by a registered installer. A properly maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
Wood stoves are a great source of heat, but their design is something to consider. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that could have a negative impact on health and the environment. Proper operation and a well-designed 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 must meet strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. You can verify whether a stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or checking the EPA database. Local hearth products retailers are also a great source for information on wood stoves, such as what size and capacity is ideal for your home.
Controlling air flow through the stove is a key element of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls of fireproof materials, and air vents are placed in the walls to ensure controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and emissions are reduced.
Many modern stoves have baffles that increase the amount of time that the fire burns, reducing the amount of fumes and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use a catalyst converter to reduce NOx emissions. This type of system is a little more expensive and is typically only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves employ different types of air control systems to regulate air flow. The majority of wood stoves still employ a basic passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove correctly to ensure maximum performance. Some wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when required.
Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative to heating homes in remote areas or that aren't connected to the electric grid. However, if you do not have a backup heat source to depend on during an outage or in case of an upcoming snowstorm, a wooden stove should not be your only option for heating your home.
The output of heat
A lot of wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove depends on many factors such as the size of the room and how well insulated it is.
The climate can also affect the requirements for heat. Colder regions require stoves with greater BTU rating to ensure comfort.
Other variables that affect the production of heat include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned wood produces more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan can also help transfer the warmth generated by the wood stove into the room instead of having the hot air rise upwards.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heater should not be exceeded frequently, as a continuous high-fire could damage the stove's internals and cause carbon monoxide leaking into the home.
The performance of a stove could be enhanced by regular refills. Make sure 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 best to add smaller logs more often, rather than leaving too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered 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 emit less carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke than the older models.
Many people opt to install boiler stoves as component of their heating system. The heat produced by a wood burning stove is used to heat water for a central heating system or hot water tank. This lets the heat be distributed throughout the home. This is an efficient and economical method to heat a home, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy required to run a boiler will increase the overall cost.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are an attractive and convenient method of heating a home. They do come with risks. A fire could cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes the dangers.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good condition. This includes inspecting the chimney and flue at least two times each year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should be checked for creosote at the end of each season. It is extremely flammable and could cause a fire in the chimney.
When purchasing a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This will guarantee that the stove is built to meet the safety standards of the federal government, and is designed for proper venting. It is also important to check the legs, hinges and grates on a stove to make sure they are in good working order and securely secured to the floor.
If you decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, ensure that the floor beneath it is reinforced and non-combustible. You can also install tiles that are not combustible over your flooring in the event that it is combustible.
Burn only hardwoods that are dry and well-seasoned. Wet and green woods can produce excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build in your chimney, which releases harmful chemicals. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove as they can create dangerous fumes, and they may not completely burn.
Do not "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage the stove, chimney connector, and the chimney itself. It could also ignite other materials that are combustible in your home. It is also important to make sure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving your cabin or going to bed. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.