Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove
A wood stove provides a cozy place to warm up and can provide warmth to a whole house. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases such as creosote that can be dangerous to the health of your family and property.
Proper care of these stoves is essential. Some important things to consider include making sure the room isn't overheated, not messing with the fire and using properly dried firewood.
Fuel
Wood stoves can burn a variety fuels, including dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are less polluting than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are more eco-friendly and safer to use. However, they emit some toxic gases and smoke. They also require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best.
Before you purchase or use any fuel, make sure you read the instructions of the manufacturer and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuels could damage your stove or chimney which can result in costly repairs and voiding your warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel is in compliance with the smoke emission and sulphur limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed along with the price and brand details or on the packaging.
Suitable fuels should be seasoned (stored and split for several months before use) or kiln-dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The kind of wood you choose should also suit your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce provide excellent value for money, however, hardwoods such as oak or beech produce more hot embers and operate for a longer time. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry do not just provide effective heating but can elevate the ambiance with their pleasant aromas.
If you have an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel fire; combining wood with smokeless briquettes can help maintain the flames and keep your home warm for a longer time. Briquettes are a great alternative and can prevent a chimney-fire by ensuring that the air is moving.
A well-maintained stove will generate more heat, use less fuel and generate less harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure that it is installed by a registered installer. Regularly serviced appliances are more efficient and help protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emission.
Design
The design of wood stoves is an important factor to be considered when evaluating them as a primary or complementing heating source. Carbon monoxide and smoke are undesirable byproducts that could cause harm to health and the environment. A well-planned and efficient operation are the most important factors in reducing the emission.
Modern wood stoves are more environmentally green than older models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations that optimize the quantity of heat they generate. You can determine whether a stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or by looking through the EPA database. Visiting local hearth products retailers who are knowledgeable about the performance capabilities of their selection is a great way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity might be most suitable for your space.
One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations is controlling air flow through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents within these walls, which allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is crucial to ensure that the combustion is efficient and emissions are minimized.
Many modern stoves use a baffle that increases the time for combustion of the fire, which lowers emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves include catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This is more expensive and is utilized only in top-quality wood burning stoves.
Stoves use different types air control systems to regulate air flow. Most wood stoves use a basic passive supply of air which requires that the operator (you) control the stove in a way that allows the best 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 necessary.
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 source of heat in the event of a power outage or an imminent snow storm, wood stoves shouldn't be the only option to heat your home.
Heat output
Many wood stoves are advertised with a peak heat output rate in BTUs. This is a mistake as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove is dependent on many variables including the size of the room, and how well insulated it is.
The climate also has an impact on the heating requirements. To keep warm, colder regions need stoves with higher BTU ratings.
Other variables that affect the production of heat are the kind of wood used and the frequency of refueling. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan can also help circulate the warmth produced by the wood stove into the room instead of having the hot air rise up.
It is essential 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 result in carbon monoxide to leak into the home.
Regular refueling can improve the performance of the fireplace. Make sure that the log isn't too large and placed on the glowing embers, so it does not get in the way of the glass or walls of the stove. Make smaller logs more often instead of taking too long between additions.
High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce a greater amount of heat output using the same amount of fuel, by providing prewarmed combustion air, as well as other design features. They typically produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than earlier models.
A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout the house. This is a more efficient and economical method of heating a house, although the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires a separate flue and the additional energy required to run a back boiler will increase the overall running costs of a wood stove.
Safety
Fireplaces and wood stoves are a practical and attractive way to heat 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 destruction to the structure of your house. A proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces the dangers.
To ensure that wood-burning stoves are safe and in good shape, they should be regularly checked and maintained. This includes examining the chimney and flue for signs of wear and rust, and cleaning them at least two times per year. The chimney should also be checked every season for creosote buildup, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires.
When buying a wood-burning fireplace make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This assures that the stove is in compliance with the safety standards set by the federal government and is designed to ventilate properly. Check the hinges, legs, and grates to ensure they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor of the stove.
If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor beneath it is sturdy and made of non-combustible materials. very small wood burner can also lay a non-combustible tile over the flooring you have in place in the event that it is inflammable.
Always burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp and green produces an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals into your home. Avoid burning cardboard, trash, paper or any other combustibles as these can cause dangerous fumes, and may not even burn.
Don't "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escaping from the combustion chamber and cause damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, and also burning other combustible material in your home. Make sure the fire has been completely smothered before leaving your home or retiring to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be working at all times.