How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are wonderful additions to any home. They are best made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney and burn above and below the fuel which resulted in energy loss and pollution.

Modern wood stoves use a superior combustion principle that splits air supply into two stages. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of the wood stove is a measure of how well your wood is turned into heat. It is different from the efficiency of heating transfer which is the amount of heat that is transferred from your stove into a room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency and combustion will use less fuel, and produce less waste such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves have a high efficiency in combustion, due to their sophisticated design. They can maximize the burning while using less wood. They also tend to have low emissions particularly when using EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor, which cleans the emissions as they leave the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a good option for homeowners looking to lessen their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This can be achieved by maintaining a proper flame in the stove through frequent additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will stop the accumulation of flammable Creosote inside the chimney which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

A wood stove's efficiency is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood with less than 20 percent. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only generate 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 that a new stove can emit within an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to minimize pollution and Www.913875.Xyz (Https://Www.913875.Xyz/) 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 less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves utilize a special ceramic honeycombed combustor coated with noble metals such as palladium or platinum. The combustor is like the catalyst in your car that cleans the exhaust. When smoke flows through the combustor, at high temperatures, noble metals react with particles and the chemicals in the smoke to break them down into harmless end products such as water and carbon dioxide.

This allows the stove to burn cleaner and lower emissions than non-catalytic models without loss of efficiency or heat output. The combustor is the most efficient when the temperature of the flue gas is at least 1,000degF. When the fire is burned in a low flame the gases inside the stove do not reach this temperature and the combustor won't function properly.

Burning foreign materials, 913875 like paper logs, treated or painted wood, may damage the combustor. The burning of these materials may result in "masking" which is a covering of the combustor's cells by some substance, preventing it from working properly. Masking may also result from closing the bypass damper soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote, it can cause smoke spillage.

When properly operated and placed, the combustor will provide years of reliable performance. It requires very little maintenance other than taking off the soot from its surface after a long burn and dusting it frequently with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor comes with a bypass damper that is opened to start the fire and closed when you're ready to reload your stove. Make sure to 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 too early. If you close the bypass damper too quickly will reduce the inlet temperature to the combustor, and could damage it. Refer to the manual for your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department if you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

The controls for air flow in your wood stove are vital in ensuring that your 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 role in the combustion process.

The main air control situated either below or within the door of your stove, controls the amount of air allowed into the firebox. More air will ignite the fire faster however it could also increase the risk of smoke and creosote. When you light your wood stove, the primary air control should ideally be opened wide and for a short period of time.

Once you've reached the desired heat level You can gradually close the primary air control until the desired heat is attained. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke since this indicates the combustion is not efficient.

Secondary airflow controls supply oxygen to the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets placed over your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your fire. Your fire will be burning too fast and create excessive amounts of smoke without it.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of the airflow system of your stove and is carried into the updraft area or chimney. This helps to create strong draft in the flue, 913875 which allows your fire to reach its peak efficiency.

It is important to note that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn wood for fire only. Any other type of combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove and could result in high levels of emissions and potentially chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice but it needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using paper and cardboard because they release toxic fumes or cause creosote and ash to build up in your stove. You should also avoid placing logs or other combustibles on your fire, as they could explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an affordable alternative to heating particularly if you live in a region with frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if employed in a wrong manner. They can create harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also cause a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following simple safety precautions.

Make sure to use only clean, dry wood for your stove. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle fire. Never ignite treated or 913875 painted wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen into. Add wood in small amounts and make sure you don't let the fire smolder. If you live in a smoke-control area do not make use of an indoor fire.

Make sure that your chimney and stove are properly installed. Poorly installed wood stoves could cause a fire to the chimney, which could release harmful gasses into your home. It is also important to ensure that the chimney is swept and inspected on a regular basis. Ensure that the flue is not leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed, or under a sheet of tarp. This will allow the wood to dry out and season faster. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the wood away from other heat sources. It's also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable area, such as a tile floor.

If you have children who are young make sure you keep them away from the stove. They may try to play with the ash that is hot or touch the flame, which is dangerous. In addition, you should keep all items that are flammable at least three feet away from the stove. You should also consider installing a heat shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It's also a good idea to have your family practice fire drills at home. This will help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. Check out our article about fire escape routes to ensure your home secure.