10 Healthy Habits For A Healthy Wood Burning Stove

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. They should only be made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion let air in over and below the fuel - this resulted in energy loss, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ a superior combustion method that separates the air supply into two phases. This enables higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of your wood stove is a measure of how efficiently your wood is transformed into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the degree to which heat is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency in combustion and heating transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash and steam.

Modern wood stoves have a high combustion efficiency due to their advanced design. They maximize the amount of heat and use less wood. They also have low emissions, 5829186 especially when using EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor that cleans exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are an ideal option for homeowners looking to minimize their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled, which is achieved by ensuring a steady flame in the stove through regular additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote inside the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another important factor in the efficiency of wood stoves is to use properly dried and seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%. Dry wood that is seasoned and dried will not only provide more heat for the same fuel however, it will create less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new stove can release in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves depend upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor, to reduce emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. If you want to find an wood-burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, 5829186.xyz then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves make use of a special ceramic honeycombed combustor coated with noble metals like palladium or platinum. The combustor works much like the car's catalyst does to clean its exhaust. The noble metals contained in the combustor react with the particulates and chemicals in the smoke breaking them into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models without sacrificing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is most efficient when the temperature of the gas in the flue is 1,000degF or more. When the fire is burned in a low-flame, the gases inside the stove don't reach this temperature, and the combustor will not function properly.

The combustor www.5829186.Xyz may be damaged by burning foreign materials like trash, paper logs painted or treated wood. The burning of these materials could result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance that stops it from working according to its intended. Masking can be caused by closing the bypass damper too quickly or by refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cell isn't regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could result in smoke leakage.

Properly operated and positioned the combustor will operate to provide years of efficient performance. It will require very little maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a long burn and regularly cleaning it with a soft, dry brush.

The combustor is equipped with an bypass damper that can be opened to start the fire, and then closed when you're ready to load your stove. The bypass damper should be checked for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates when your combustor 5829186.xyz is operating within its optimal temperature range. The bypass damper being opened too quickly will reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass damper too soon can reduce the temperature of the inlet to the combustor and could cause damage to it. Refer to the manual for 5829186 your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department if you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each plays a unique role in the combustion process.

The primary air control, located below or inside the door of your stove, controls amount of air allowed into the firebox. More air will burn the fire faster but it could also increase the risk of creosote and chimney smoke. When you light your wood stove, the main air control should ideally be extended wide and for a short time.

When you have reached the desired temperature then you can slowly shut the primary air control until the desired heat is reached. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke, as this could indicate inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are used to supply oxygen to your stove's top, usually as air jets placed above your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your fire. Without it, your fire will burn too fast and produce excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is the final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is directed into the updraft section or chimney. This makes a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to perform at its peak.

It is important to note that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn wood that is firewood only. Any other burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove, and may result in high levels emissions, and even chimney fires. The most efficient type of fuel to use is wood that has been dried for at least six months, though softwood works just as well. Avoid using cardboard and paper because they release toxic fumes or 5829186.xyz cause creosote and ash to build within your stove. It is also recommended to avoid placing any wood or other combustibles over the top of your stove in case this causes them to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a cost-effective alternative heat source particularly if you live in a region with frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if utilized incorrectly. They can release harmful chemicals that can harm your health. They also can cause fire hazard and carbon monoxide poisoning. You can stay clear of these risks by taking some simple precautions.

Use only clean, dry firewood in your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or ignite fires. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. In small amounts, add wood and make sure you don't let the fire smolder. If you are in a smoke-control room don't set up an indoor fire.

Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can cause a fire in the chimney that could release toxic gasses into your home. Cleaning and inspecting the chimney is also essential. Make sure that the flue is not flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea store your wood in a shed or a the tarp. This will help the wood dry and get into the season quicker. It is also recommended to keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to minimize the risk of fire. You should also put your stove on an inflammable surface like a tiled floor.

If you have children who are young ensure that you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They might try to play with the hot ash or touch the fire which could be dangerous. In addition, you should keep all items that are flammable at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. It's also a good idea for your family to practice home fire drills. This will allow you to escape your home in the case of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe take a look at our article on escape routes for fire in the event of a house fire.