How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be an attractive addition to any home. They are best used with wood that has been properly seasoned.

Older stoves without secondary combustion let air in over and below the fuel - this resulted in the loss of energy, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves utilize an advanced combustion method that splits the air supply into two stages. This allows for more efficient heating while reducing emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of the wood stove is an indicator of how efficiently your wood is turned into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the quantity of heat that is transferred from the stove to a room. A wood-burning stove with high combustion and heating efficiency will require less fuel and generate less waste such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves boast high combustion efficiency, thanks to their modern design. They can maximize the burning and use less wood. They also have lower emissions and are especially effective with EPA certified stoves, which require a special catalytic combustor, which cleans the exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a great option for homeowners looking to minimize their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

Increasing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important thing is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood on a regular basis and maintaining a steady flame in the stove. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney that could cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another key element in the effectiveness of wood stoves is the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood with less than 20 percent. Dry and seasoned firewood will not only generate more heat from the same fuel, but will also cause less air pollution and smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new stove can emit within an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, the majority of modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion process or catalytic combustor in order to regulate combustion and limit the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. If you are looking for an wood-burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves use honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor 913875.xyz operates in like the catalyst in your car works to clean the exhaust. When smoke is pushed through the combustor at high temperatures, noble metals react with the particulates and chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless products like water and carbon dioxide.

This allows the stove to burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models, without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs best when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000degF. The combustor won't function properly if the fire is burned in a low flame.

The combustor can be damaged by burning foreign materials such as trash, paper logs painted or treated wood. The burning of these substances can cause "masking", which is a covering of the combustor's cells by a substance, preventing it from working effectively. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper shortly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and tar, plugging may occur which causes smoke spillage.

If properly operated and positioned, the combustor will give years of reliable performance. It will require minimal maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a prolonged burn and regularly dusting it with a soft, dry brush.

The combustor comes with a bypass damper which is opened to ignite the fire, and then closed when you're ready to reload your stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which shows when your combustor operates within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor may be diminished if you open the bypass damper prematurely. Closing the bypass damper too soon will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor, and could damage it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, check the instruction manual for your stove or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove burns safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems work together to ensure that your fire is burning efficiently. Each plays a distinct part in the combustion process.

The main air control is located either beneath or inside the stove door. It regulates the amount of air that enters the firebox. More air will burn the fire faster however it could also increase the risk of chimney smoke and creosote. When lighting your wood stove, the main air control should be opened wide and for a brief period of time.

Once your fire has built up enough heat, the primary air control can be shut down slowly until you're happy with the amount of heat being produced. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke as this could indicate an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls feeds oxygen to the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets that are placed over your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Your fire will burn too quickly and produce large quantities of smoke if it is not controlled.

The tertiary airflow, which is the final step in the airflow systems of your stove is fed into the updraft or chimney. This creates a strong draft within the flue, which allows your fire to reach its maximum efficiency.

It is crucial to keep in mind that your wood stove has been designed and optimised solely for the purpose of burning firewood. Any other type of combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and can result in high levels of emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for a minimum of 6 months. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, since they can create toxic fumes as well as buildups of creosote or ash within your stove. You should also avoid placing any logs or other combustibles on your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, especially in areas that are prone to frequent power outages. However, they can also be risky if they are used in a way that is not properly. They can create harmful chemicals that could affect your health. They also can create a fire hazard and result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these dangers by taking simple safety precautions.

Make sure you use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Do not make use of gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid, wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle a flame. Never burn painted or treated wood. Keep the flue wide open to let plenty of oxygen in. In small amounts, add wood and do not let the fire burn to ashes. If you are in a smoke-control zone, never use an indoor fire.

Make sure your stove and chimney are properly installed. A poorly installed wood stove can ignite a fire in the chimney, which can release toxic gasses into your home. It is also essential to have the chimney swept and 913875 inspected regularly. Check that the flue is not leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed, or Www.913875.Xyz under a cover. This will help the wood dry and season faster. It is also important to keep the firewood away from other sources of heat to minimize the risk of fire. It's also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable area, 913875 (www.913875.xyz) such as tiles.

You must be aware of your children's activities around the stove if you have youngsters. They may try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash which can be dangerous. In addition, you should keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family to practice fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure take a look at our article on fire escape routes in the event of a house fire.