How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. They should only be made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves without secondary combustion allowed air to pass through below and above the fuel. This resulted in the loss of energy, 913875.xyz chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ an advanced combustion technique that separates the air supply into two phases. This enables greater efficiency in heating and www.913875.xyz, www.913875.xyz, lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of your wood stove is a measurement of the speed at which your wood is transformed into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the amount that heat is transferred from the stove to a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash, and steam.

Modern wood stoves usually feature high combustion efficiency, as they have sophisticated design features that enable them to maximize the burning and make use of less wood. They also tend to have lower emissions and are especially effective with EPA certified stoves that require a specific catalytic combustor to clean emissions as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are an excellent choice for those seeking to lessen their impact on the surroundings, while still enjoying the warmth and the comfort of a wood-burning stove.

Proper operation and maintenance will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure the combustion process is controlled. This is accomplished by ensuring a steady fire in the stove by regular additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will prevent 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 dried and seasoned wood with less than 20%. Dry, seasoned firewood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel, but will also cause less smoke and air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances a new stove releases within an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to minimize pollution and meet EPA guidelines. To find an appliance that is compliant with the EPA emission standards, look for one with an EPA certification sticker and 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 is like the catalyst in your car that cleans its exhaust. When smoke is pushed through the combustor at high temperatures noble metals react with the particles and the chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down to harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models without sacrificing 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 at a low temperature, the gases inside the stove aren't able to attain this temperature and the combustor isn't functioning properly.

The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign materials like paper, 913875 [Www.913875.xyz] trash logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these substances can result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance which prevents it from functioning according to its intended. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too fast or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cell is not regularly cleaned of creosote and fly-ash, it can cause smoke spillage.

The combustor, when properly operated and positioned, will provide years of reliable operation. It requires 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 can be opened to ignite the fire and closed when you're ready to reload your stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which will indicate that your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The bypass damper being opened too quickly will reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too early could lower the temperature of the combustor's outlet 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 should you need assistance.

Airflow Controls

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

The air control that is located below or inside the door of your stove, controls amount of air allowed to enter the firebox. More air will ignite the fire more quickly however it could also increase the chance of creosote and chimney smoke. Ideally, the primary air control should be opened wide for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

Once you have reached the desired heat level, you can slowly close the primary air control until the desired temperature has been achieved. It is important to ensure that there isn't any smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove as this could indicate inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to inject oxygen into your stove's top, usually in the form of air jets placed above your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Your fire will burn too fast and create excessive amounts of smoke without it.

Tertiary airflow is the final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This makes a strong draft in the flue, allowing your stove to function at its peak.

It is important to note that the wood stove you have was designed and optimised for burning firewood only. Other types of combustibles will not burn in your wood stove, which can cause high levels of emissions and even chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable but it needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using combustibles made from paper and cardboard, as they can create toxic fumes and the build-up of creosote or ash inside your stove. It is also a good idea to not place firewood or other combustibles on the top of your stove because this could cause them to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an excellent alternative to electricity, especially when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. However, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They also can create dangers to fire and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You can avoid these dangers by taking some simple precautions.

Make sure you use only dry, clean firewood in your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid, wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle a flame. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue wide open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small pieces and don't let the fire get too hot. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors if you're in a smoke control zone.

Make sure that your chimney and stove are properly installed. A poorly constructed wood stove could result in an unintentional chimney fire that can release harmful gases into your home. Regularly checking and cleaning the chimney is also essential. Make sure that the flue isn't leaky, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed or under a tarp. This will allow the wood to get seasoned and dry more quickly. To minimize the risk of fire, keep the wood from other heat sources. It is also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as tiles on the floor.

You should supervise your children around the stove if you have any young ones. They might try to touch the flame or play with the ash that is hot, which could be risky. Additionally, you should 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 walls from damage. It's also a good idea to have your family practice home fire drills. This will allow you to escape your home in the situation of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure, check out our article on fire escape routes in case of a house fire.