How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. They should only be used with wood that has been properly seasoned.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion let air in below and above the fuel, resulting in the loss of energy as well as chimney tarring and air pollution.

Modern wood stoves use a superior combustion principle that divides air supply into two stages. This allows for greater efficiency in heating and lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of your wood stove is a measure of the speed at which the wood you use is converted into heat. The efficiency of the heating transfer is the quantity of heat that is transferred from the stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency and www.5829186.Xyz - Www.5829186.xyz, combustion will use less fuel, and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves generally feature high combustion efficiency due to their sophisticated design features that allow them to maximize the burn and require less wood. They also tend to have low emissions, especially when using EPA certified stoves, which require a special catalytic combustor to clean exhaust gases when they leave the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a great choice for homeowners seeking to lessen their impact on our environment, while still enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove.

A proper operation and maintenance routine can improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important aspect is controlling the combustion process. This can be achieved by adding small pieces of wood on a regular basis and ensuring a constant burning stove. This will prevent the buildup of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent. Dry, 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 (EPA) has issued guidelines to limit the amount smoke and other pollutants a new stove may emit in an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor, to reduce pollution and to meet EPA guidelines. If you want to find a wood burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission rate lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize the honeycomb combustor, which is made of ceramic and is coated with noble metals, such as platin or palladium. The combustor functions in similar to what your car's catalyst does to clean your exhaust. When smoke is pushed through the combustor at high temperatures noble metals react with particulates and chemical compounds in the smoke, breaking them down to harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This enables the stove to achieve lower emissions and burn much cleaner than non-catalytic models without losing the amount of heat produced or efficiency. The combustor performs its best when the gas temperature in the flue is 1,000degF or greater. The combustor will not work properly if the flame is burnt in a low-flame.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, treated or painted wood, www.5829186.Xyz can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials may result in "masking" that protects the cells of the combustor with a substance, preventing it from working properly. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too quickly or by refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar, plugging may occur which causes smoke to spill out.

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

The combustor has a bypass damper which is open to begin the fire and closed when you're ready for reloading your stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. Doing this too soon will decrease the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass damper too soon will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor and may cause damage to it. If you're unsure how to operate the bypass damper, check the instruction manual for your stove or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

The air flow controls on your wood stove are vital to ensuring that the fire is properly and safely. The primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn effectively. Each plays a unique part in the combustion process.

The primary air control, situated either below or within your stove's door controls the amount of air allowed to enter the firebox. More air will burn the fire faster however it could increase the possibility of smoke and creosote. The ideal is that the air control should be opened for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

Once your fire has built up enough heat, the main air control can be closed down slowly until you're happy with the amount of heat produced. It is important to make sure that no smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove as this could indicate poor combustion.

Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your fire. Without it the fire will burn too quickly and will produce excessive amounts of smoke.

The tertiary airflow, which is the final stage of the airflow systems of your stove is fed into the updraft or chimney. This creates an effective draft inside the flue and allows your stove to operate at its highest efficiency.

It is important to remember that your wood stove was specifically designed and optimized for burning firewood. Other types of combustibles do not be able to burn in your wood stove, resulting in excessive emissions, and even chimney fires. The best kind of combustion fuel is well-seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months, though softwood is equally effective. Avoid using paper and cardboard as they can emit toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build within your stove. It is important to avoid placing any wood or other combustibles over the top of your fire in case this causes the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be an affordable alternative to heating, especially if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages. They can be dangerous if employed in a wrong manner. They can release harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also create a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following some simple safety guidelines.

Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood in your wood-burning stove. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid, wrapping paper or other flammable substances to start or rekindle fire. Never burn treated wood, painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Add wood in small amounts and make sure you don't let the fire burn to ashes. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors when you're in a smoke control area.

Make sure your stove and chimney have been properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed could cause a fire to the chimney that could release toxic gasses into your home. It is also essential to sweep the chimney and 5829186.xyz checked regularly. Ensure that the flue is not leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is a good idea to keep your wood in a shed or a Tarp. This will allow the wood to get seasoned and dry quicker. To reduce the risk of fire, keep the wood away from other sources of heat. You should also place your stove on an inflammable flooring, such as tiled floors.

You should supervise your children around the stove if you have young children. They might play with the hot ash or even touch the fire, which is dangerous. In addition, you should keep all flammable items at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It's also an excellent idea to have your family practice fire drills at home. This will make it easier to get out of your home in an emergency. Take a look at our article on ways to escape from fire to keep your home secure.