How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves are stunning additions to any home. They should only be made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion admitted air over and below the fuel. This resulted in energy loss as well as chimney tarring and air pollution.

Modern wood stoves utilize superior combustion principles that splits 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 how efficiently your wood is transformed into heat. It is different from the efficiency of heating transfer, which is the amount of heat that is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood-burning stove that has high combustion and heating efficiency will require less fuel and produce less waste such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves have high combustion efficiency due to their advanced design. They maximize the burn and use less wood. They also have low emissions, especially with EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor, which cleans the exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves make a great 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 aspect is controlling the combustion process. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood frequently and ensuring a constant flame in the stove. This will prevent the buildup 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 wood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel but will also produce less air pollution and smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants a new stove releases within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves use a secondary combustion process or catalytic combustor to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollutants they emit. If you are looking for 913875 a wood burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission level lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves make use of a special honeycombed combustor made from ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor works much like the catalyst in your car to clean the exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react to particulates and chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to have lower emissions and 913875.Xyz burn more efficiently than non-catalytic models, without sacrificing the amount of heat produced or efficiency. The combustor 913875 is most efficient when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000degF. When the fire is lit at a low temperature, the gases inside the stove do not reach this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.

Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these substances can cause "masking", which is a covering of the combustor's cells by an ingredient, which prevents it from functioning effectively. Masking can be caused by 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, a plugging could occur, causing smoke to leak out.

The combustor, if properly operated and placed properly, will give years of reliable operation. It requires very little maintenance, aside from getting rid of the soot off its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it regularly with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor comes with an bypass damper that is opened to ignite a fire and closed to reload the stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The bypass damper being opened too soon will decrease the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too early could reduce the temperature of the combustor's intake and cause damage to it. Consult your stove's manual for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department if you need assistance.

Control of Airflow

The air flow controls in your wood stove are essential to ensure that the fire burns safely and properly. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire is burning efficiently. Each one plays a different part in the combustion process.

The primary air control is situated below or www.913875.Xyz inside the stove door. It controls the amount air that gets into the firebox. More air will ignite the fire faster, but it can also increase the risk of smoke and creosote. Ideally, the air control should be open for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

Once you have reached the desired temperature then you can slowly shut the air control that is primary until the desired temperature has been attained. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke, as this could indicate the combustion is not efficient.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to supply oxygen to your stove's top, usually in the form air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Your fire will be burning too fast and produce excessive amounts smoke without it.

The secondary airflow, the final step in the airflow system of your stove, is fed into the chimney or updraft. This makes a strong draft in the flue, allowing your fire to function optimally.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove has been specifically designed and optimized to burn firewood. Other combustibles may not burn in your wood stove, which can cause high levels of emissions and even chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for a minimum of 6 months. Avoid using paper and cardboard since they could release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build within your stove. You should also avoid placing any logs or other combustibles on your fire, as they could explode.

Safety

Wood burning stoves are a great alternative to electricity, www.913875.xyz especially if your area is prone to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemicals that could affect your health. They can also create a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You can reduce the risk by taking some simple precautions.

Make sure to use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene or Www.913875.Xyz charcoal starter fluid to ignite or revive fires. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue wide open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. In small amounts, add wood and make sure you don't let the fire smolder. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors when you're in a smoke control area.

Make sure that your stove and chimney are properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can ignite a fire in the chimney that could release toxic gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also crucial. Make sure that the flue isn't flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store your wood in a shed or under a cover. This will allow the wood to get seasoned and dry quicker. It is also important to keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to decrease fire risks. You should also place your stove on a non-flammable surface like a tiled floor.

If you have children, be sure to supervise them around the stove. They might try to play with the hot ash or touch the fire, which is dangerous. You should also keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. You should also think about installing a heat shield to safeguard surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. Take a look at our article on fire escape routes to ensure your home secure.