Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides a warm and cozy space to warm up and also provide warmth to a whole house. However, certain appliances release harmful gases, like creosote, which could be harmful to your health and property.
It is essential to maintain these stoves. Some important things to keep in mind include making sure the room isn't overheated making a mess of the fire, and using appropriately dried firewood that is properly dried.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety of fuels, including dry wood, as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are more environmentally friendly than traditional house coal and wet wood, so are better for the environment and healthier to use. However, they do still emit some gasses and smoke, and require regular maintenance to keep them working at their peak.
Before you purchase or use any fuel, read the manufacturer's directions and ensure that the type is recommended for your stove. Incorrect fuel could damage your stove and chimney which can result in costly repairs or voiding the warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel particularly in smoke control zones. Check for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets the sulphur and smoke emission standards, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging, or along with the name of the brand and its price.
The appropriate fuels must be seasoned (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content which improves the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood selected must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods like pine and spruce are excellent value for money, however, hardwoods such as oak or beech generate more hot embers and operate over a longer time. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry can be used not only to heat the home and provide a pleasant aroma.
If you have a stove that is able to use multiple fuels, you might be interested in a mixed fuel fire. Combining cheap wood burner with smokeless Briquettes will allow the flame to last longer and keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great backup and can also keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air flowing.
A well-maintained stove will create more heat, use less fuel, and produce fewer harmful particles. If you have an oil or gas-fired wood stove, make sure it is installed by an approved installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A well-maintained 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 a crucial consideration for those considering their use as a primary or supplementary source of heat. Smoke and carbon monoxide are unwanted byproducts that can cause harm to health and the environment. The key to reducing these emissions is correct operation and a careful design.
Modern wood stoves are more environmentally sustainable than older models. All EPA-certified stoves meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations that maximize the quantity of heat they generate. You can determine whether a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or by looking through the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance of their inventory is also an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is best for your space.
Controlling air flow through the stove is a crucial aspect of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is surrounded by walls made of fireproof material, 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 that emissions are reduced.
Modern stoves often have a baffle that increases the combustion time of the fire, which lowers the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves also employ catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This is more costly and is used only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves use a basic air supply that is passive, which requires that the owner (you) manage the stove properly to ensure maximum performance. A few wood stoves come with active air sources that are controlled by sensors that monitor the combustion process and adjust the amount of air based on the need.
Wood stoves are an excellent alternative for heating 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 case of an outage, or if there is snow, then wood stoves shouldn't be your only option to warm your home.
The output of heat
Many wood stoves boast their peak heat output in BTUs. This is a mistake since the actual amount of heat produced of a wood-burning fireplace is contingent on a variety of factors, including the size of the room and how well insulated it is.
The climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. Regions that are colder require stoves with greater BTU rating to maintain the comfort.
Other factors that affect heat production include the type of wood used and the frequency of refilling. Dry, seasoned wood generates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan also assists in transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner into the room, rather than having the hot air rise upwards.
It is crucial to remember that the peak output of wood heater stoves should not be a constant event since continuous high fire can cause damage to a stove's innards and may cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home.
The performance of a stove could also be improved by regular fueling. When adding a log make sure it's not too large and then place it on the glowing embers so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. Add smaller logs more frequently, rather than taking too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are designed to provide a higher heat output with the same amount fuel. This is achieved by prewarming combustion air and using other design features. second hand wood burning stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than the older models.
Some people choose to install the boiler stove as element 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 allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is an efficient and cost-effective way to heat homes. However, the installation process can take an extended time. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run back boilers will increase the overall running costs of the wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces can be a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they're not without their risks. A fire could cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. These risks can be avoided by maintaining and using an open fireplace that burns wood.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to keep them secure and in good condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least once a year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney should be inspected for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly explosive and can lead to a chimney fire.
When buying a stove for wood burning be sure to choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This assures that the stove meets the safety standards of the federal government and is designed to vent properly. Check the hinges, legs and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely attached to a stove's floor.
If you decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor beneath it is insulated and non-combustible. You may also want to lay a sheet of non-combustible floor tile over the flooring you have, particularly if you live in an old mobile home with combustible floors.
Only burn hardwoods that are dry and seasoned. Wood that is damp or green can produce excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build within your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles because they can release dangerous fumes and not even burn.
Do not "over fire" your wood stove- that is, you should not create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can result in flames leaving the combustion chamber and cause damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials within your home. It is also important to make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your cabin or going to sleep. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be working at all times.