Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides an ideal place to warm up and also warm a whole house. However, small wood burning heater emit harmful gases such as creosote that can be hazardous to health and property.
A proper care for these stoves is essential. A few important factors to consider include: avoiding overheating the room making a mess of the fire and using correctly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are less prone to pollution than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are more eco-friendly and safer to use. They still emit harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance to function at their peak.
Read the instructions of the manufacturer prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Be sure that it's the correct fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuels can damage your chimney or stove and cause costly repairs and invalidating your warranty. It could be illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Check for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets the sulphur and smoke emission standards and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed alongside the price and details about the brand or on the packaging.
The fuels that are suitable for burning should be seasoned or kiln dried to reduce the moisture content. This will improve the heat output and efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce offer good value heat however, hardwoods like beech and oak produce greater quantities of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry do not just provide effective heating but can elevate the ambiance by their pleasant scents.
If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel stove; Combining wood with smokeless briquettes will help keep the flames burning and keep your home warm for a longer time. Briquettes can be a great backup option and can help prevent a chimney-fire by ensuring that the air is moving.
A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure that it is fitted 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 safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions.
Design
The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating them as a primary or secondary heating source. Carbon monoxide and smoke are unwanted byproducts that can have a negative impact on health and the environment. A well-planned and efficient operation are key factors in minimizing these emissions.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must adhere to strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat generated. Look for an iron EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or check out the EPA's current database to see if a particular wood stove is certified. Hearth-related stores in your area can also be a good source to learn more about wood stoves, including the size and capacity that is best for your space.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations is controlling the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is surrounded by walls of fireproof materials and air vents are located within the walls to allow controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that combustion is optimal and emissions are reduced.
A lot of modern stoves come with baffles that extend the time the fire burns, reducing the amount of gas and smoke that can cause harm. Some wood stoves also use an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This method is more costly and is used only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate the airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves use the basic passive air supply and require that the operator (you) manage the stove properly to ensure the best performance. Some wood stoves also come with active air sources that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the amount of air as needed.
Wood stoves are a great alternative heating solution for homes in remote areas or those without access to the electric grid. If you do not have a backup heating source in the event of an outage, or if there is a snowstorm, then wood stoves 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 misleading as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove is dependent on many factors, including the dimensions of the room and the degree of insulation it has.
The climate of the region also plays a role in heat demands. Colder regions require stoves with a higher BTU rating to maintain the comfort.
Other factors that influence heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan also helps to move the heat generated by the wood burner throughout the room instead of having the hot air rise up.
It is crucial to remember that the maximum 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 be enhanced by regular fueling. When adding a log, ensure that it's not too large and set it on the glowing embers so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. Make smaller logs more often, rather than being too long between additions.
corner wood burner are engineered to produce a greater amount of heat output using the same amount of fuel by providing prewarmed combustion air and other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than the older 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 the heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is an efficient and cost effective way of heating a house however the process of installation can be very extensive. This method requires an additional flue and the energy needed to run the boiler can increase the overall cost.
Safety
Wood stoves and fireplaces can be a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they aren't free of dangers. A fire can cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. Proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove reduces the dangers.
Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear, and having them cleaned at least twice per year. The chimney should be inspected for creosote at the end of each season. It is extremely explosive and can lead to a chimney fire.
When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This assures that the stove meets federal safety standards and is designed to ventilate properly. It is also important to check the legs, hinges and grates on a stove to ensure they are in good shape and securely attached to the floor.
If you decide to put in a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor underneath it is non-combustible and reinforced. You can also put tiles that are not combustible over the flooring you have in place if it is fire-proof.
Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct can build in your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles inside your wood stove, since they can release dangerous fumes and may not burn completely.
Never "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your 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 material in your home. It is also crucial to make sure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving your cabin or going to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be in working order at all times.