How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are an excellent addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

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

Modern wood stoves use an advanced combustion method that splits air supply into two stages. This enables higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in wood stoves is an indicator of how efficiently the wood you use is turned into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the amount that heat is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high combustion and heating efficiency will use less fuel, and produce less waste such as steam and carbon monoxide.

Modern wood stoves boast high combustion efficiency due to their modern design. They maximize the burn by using less wood. These stoves also emit very little emissions, particularly stoves certified by the EPA that require a catalytic combustion combustor to remove exhaust gases after they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves make the perfect choice for homeowners looking to reduce their impact on the surroundings, while still enjoying the warmth and the comfort of a wood-burning stove.

Enhancing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the process of combustion. This is achieved by adding small pieces of wood frequently and maintaining a good burning stove. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote in the chimney, which can make the stove less efficient.

Another crucial aspect in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried, seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%. Dry, seasoned firewood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel but will also produce less smoke and air pollution.

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 on a secondary combustion, or catalytic combustor, 913875 to reduce the amount of emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. To find an appliance that is compliant with the EPA emission standards, choose one that has an EPA certification sticker and has an emission limit of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves make use of a ceramic honeycomb combustor that is coated with noble metals, such as platin or palladium. The combustor works much similar to what your catalyst in your car to clean the exhaust. The noble metals found in the combustor react with the particulates and chemicals in the smoke, breaking them into harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models, but without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs its best when the temperature of gas in the flue is 1000degF or more. The combustor won't work properly if the flame is burned in a low-flame.

Burning foreign materials, like paper logs, painted or treated wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials can cause "masking" which covers the combustor cells with a substance that prevents it from functioning in the way it was intended. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too quickly or refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cell is not regularly cleaned of creosote and fly-ash, it can cause smoke spillage.

The combustor, if properly installed and operated, will provide years of efficient operation. It will require minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the soot off its surface after a long burn and periodically dusting it with a soft, dry brush.

The combustor comes with a bypass damper that can be open to start the fire, and then closed to reload the stove. Examine the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator that indicates if your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The bypass damper being opened too soon will decrease the operating range of the combustor. If you close the bypass damper too soon will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor and could cause damage to it. Refer to the manual for your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department if you require assistance.

Control of Airflow

The air flow controls on your wood stove are crucial to ensuring that the fire is properly and safely. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire is burning efficiently. Each plays a distinct function in the process of combustion.

The primary air control, situated either below or within the door of your stove, controls the amount of air allowed into the firebox. More air means a more efficient burning fire but it also increases the risk of chimney smokiness and creosote buildup. Ideally, the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.

Once you've reached the desired temperature then you can slowly shut the air control that is primary until the desired temperature has been achieved. The chimney or 913875 stove should not emit any smoke as this is a sign of an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to feed oxygen into the stove's top, usually as air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Without it your fire will be burning too quickly and create large quantities of smoke.

The tertiary airflow, which is the final stage in your stove's airflow systems is fed into the chimney or updraft. This helps to create a strong draft within the flue and allows your stove to operate at its peak efficiency.

It is crucial to remember that your wood stove has been designed and optimised solely to burn firewood. Other types of combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove and could result in high levels emissions and potentially chimney fires. The best kind of fuel to use is wood that has been dried for at least six months, www.913875.Xyz although softwood can be used as well. Avoid using cardboard and paper because they release toxic fumes or cause creosote and ash to build up in your stove. It is also recommended to avoid placing wood or other combustibles over the top of your stove because this could cause 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. However, they can be dangerous if used improperly. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also cause a fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these dangers by taking simple safety guidelines.

Make sure to use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or ignite fires. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue wide open to let in plenty of oxygen. In small amounts, add wood and do not let the fire go out of control. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors when you're in a smoke control area.

Check that your stove and chimney have been installed correctly. A poorly-installed wood stove can cause an explosion in the chimney that could release harmful gasses into your home. It is also crucial to ensure that the chimney is swept and inspected on a regular basis. Verify that the chimney flue does not leak, 913875 which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep your wood in a shed, or under a cover. This will allow the wood to dry and season faster. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the wood from other heat sources. It is recommended to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as a tile floor.

If you have children who are young make sure you supervise them around the stove. They might try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash which could be risky. Also, keep all flammable items at least three feet away from the stove. It is also recommended to install a heat shield to safeguard surfaces and 913875 walls from damage. It's also an excellent idea for your family to practice fire drills at home. This will allow you to escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe take a look at our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a home fire.