Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove is a great way to warm up your home and it can also heat the entire house. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses like creosote which can be dangerous for the health of your family and your property.
It is crucial to take care of these stoves. Some important things to remember are to avoid overheating the space, not messing around with the stove, and using dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes and fire logs. These alternative fuels that burn cleanly are less polluting than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are more sustainable and safer to use. However, they do still emit some gasses and smoke, and require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best.
Before using or purchasing any fuel, read the manufacturer's directions and make sure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Incorrect fuel could damage your stove and chimney and cause costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. It could be illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel meets sulphur and smoke emission limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the packaging or alongside the name of the brand and price.
The appropriate fuels are seasoned (stored and then split for several months before 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 needs. Softwoods such as spruce and pine provide good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak generate a higher output of hot embers over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple not only provide effective heating but can enhance the ambience by their pleasant scents.
If you have an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help to keep the flames going and keep your home warm for a longer time. Briquettes are a great alternative and can prevent a chimney-fire by keeping the air moving.
A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while also releasing less harmful particles. If you own an oil or gas-fired wood stove, ensure it is installed by an approved installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A regularly serviced appliance is more cost-effective to run and will protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is an important consideration for those considering them as a primary or supplementary heat source. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke, pose a risk to environmental and health impacts. The key to reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and careful design.
Modern wood stoves are more eco sustainable than older models. All EPA certified stoves must comply with strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for the metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove or go through the EPA's latest database to determine if a particular wood stove is certified. Visit local hearth product retailers who are knowledgeable about the performance of their inventory is also an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and what size and capacity may be most suitable for your space.
One of the main components of EPA emission regulations involves controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents within these walls, which allow for controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and that emissions are reduced.
small wood burning heater of modern stoves have a baffle to increase the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves also employ an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This type of system is a little more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves.
Stoves employ different types of air control systems to regulate the flow of air. Most wood stoves use a basic air supply that is passive and require that the user (you) manage the stove properly to ensure maximum performance. Certain wood stoves have active air sources that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when necessary.
One of the biggest advantages of a wood stove is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, which makes it an excellent alternative to heating homes that are isolated or do not have access to an electric grid. If you don't have a backup source of heat in the event of a power outage or snow, then a wood stove shouldn't be your sole option for heating your home.
Heat output
A lot of wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is not true, however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is contingent on a variety of factors such as the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated.
The climate of the region can also influence the heating requirements. The colder regions require stoves with a more BTU rating to ensure comfort.
The type of wood you use and the frequency at which you refuel your fireplace are additional factors that affect the production of heat. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood burner within the room, rather than having the hot air rise.
It is crucial to remember that the maximum output of wood heaters is not to be reached often because continuous high-fire can cause damage to a stove's innards and can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular refills. When adding a log, make sure it's not too large and set it on the embers glowing so that it doesn't touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. It is also recommended to add smaller logs more often instead of allowing too much time between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to provide a higher amount of heat output from the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air as well as other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke 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 a hot water tank or central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is an efficient and cost effective way to heat a home however the process of installation can be quite extensive. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy required to run back boilers can raise the operating costs of the wood stove.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a practical and attractive way of heating your home. However, they are not without risk. Sparks and embers could fly out of a fire and ignite carpeting or furniture, and a hot chimney could cause fire destruction to the structure of your home. Proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes the dangers.
Wood-burning stoves must be inspected and maintained regularly to keep them secure and in good condition. This includes inspecting the flue and chimney at least once each year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. small wood burning heater should also be inspected at least once a year for creosote buildup. This is highly flammable and can cause chimney fires.
When you are buying a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This assures that the stove complies with the safety standards of the federal government and is designed to ventilate properly. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely attached to the floor of the stove.
If you decide to install a wood-burning fireplace in your cabin, make sure the floor underneath it is reinforced and made from non-combustible material. You can also put a non-combustible floor tile over the flooring you have in place in the event that it is inflammable.
Always burn only seasoned and dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp or green produces excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct can build within your chimney, which releases harmful chemicals. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove as they could release dangerous fumes, and they may not completely burn.
Do not "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the chimney, stove connector, and the chimney itself. It can also burn other combustible materials within your home. Make sure the fire is completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or going to sleep. In addition, you should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your house.