What Experts Say You Should Be Able To
How a Wood Burning Stove Works
Wood burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. However, they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.
Older stoves that didn't have secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney and burn both above and below the fuel leading to energy loss and pollution.
Modern wood stoves employ superior combustion principles that separates air supply into two phases. This results in more efficient heating while reducing emissions.
Efficient Combustion
The combustion efficiency of wood stoves is an indication of how well your wood is transformed into heat. It is distinct from heating transfer efficiency, which is the amount of heat that gets from your stove into the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency in combustion and heating transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, including carbon monoxide, ash and steam.
Modern wood stoves typically feature high combustion efficiency, as they have sophisticated design features that enable them to maximize their burn and make use of less wood. They also tend to have lower emissions and are especially effective when using EPA certified stoves, which require a special catalytic combustor to clean exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are the perfect choice for homeowners who want to minimize their impact on our environment, while enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove for sale burning stove.
Proper operation and maintenance will improve the efficiency of your electric stove heaters. The most important thing is to ensure the combustion process is controlled. This is achieved by ensuring a steady fire in the stove with frequent additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.
Another important factor in the effectiveness of a wood burning stoves for sale stove is using properly dried and seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%. Dry well-seasoned and seasoned wood will not only produce more heat from the same 5kw multi fuel stove, but will also produce less smoke and air pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount smoke and other pollutants an appliance can release within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, Small Wood Burning Stoves most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion process or a catalytic combustor to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollution they release. If you want to find a wood burning bio ethanol stove that complies with EPA emission standards, look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must 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 platinum or palladium. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans the 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 into harmless end products like carbon dioxide and water.
This enables the stove to have lower emissions and burn more efficiently than non-catalytic models, without sacrificing the heat output or efficiency. The combustor operates most efficiently when the gas temperature in the flue is 1,000degF or greater. If the fire is burnt in a low-flame, the gases inside the stove aren't able to attain this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.
The combustor could be damaged by burning foreign materials like trash, paper logs painted or treated wood. The burning of these substances can cause "masking" that protects the cells of the combustor with an ingredient, which prevents it from functioning effectively. Masking can also result from closing the bypass damper soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of creosote and fly-ash it could result in smoke leakage.
When properly operated and placed it will last for years of reliable operation. It will require minimal maintenance, other than cleaning off the soot from its surface after a long burn and then dusting it with a dry, soft bristled brush.
The combustor comes with an bypass damper that is open to start the fire, and then closed to refill the stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which shows the combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The bypass damper being opened too soon can reduce the operating range of the combustor. If you close the bypass too quickly, it could reduce the temperature of the combustor's intake and cause damage. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, Small Wood burning Stoves refer to your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.
Airflow Controls
The air flow controls on your wood stove are essential to ensure that the fire burns properly and safely. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each air system plays a distinct part in the combustion process.
The main air control is located either below or inside the stove door. It controls the amount air that enters the firebox. More air can burn the fire faster but it could also increase the chance of creosote and chimney smoke. Ideally, the air control should be open for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.
When your fire has accumulated enough heat, the main air control can be closed down slowly until you're satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke since this could indicate inefficient combustion.
Secondary airflow controls supply oxygen to the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets placed above the fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your fire. Your fire will be burning too fast and create excessive quantities of smoke if it is not controlled.
Tertiary airflow is a final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft within the flue, allowing your fire to reach its peak efficiency.
It is important to note that the wood stove you have was designed and optimized for burning wood for fire only. Other combustibles may not burn in your wood stove, which can cause high levels in emissions and even chimney fires. The best type of combustible to use is wood that has been dried for at minimum six months, but softwood can be used as well. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, as these can cause toxic fumes and build ups of ash or creosote within your stove. Avoid placing logs or other combustibles on your fire as they can 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 can also cause dangers to fire and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. You can stay clear of these risks by implementing a few basic safety measures.
Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or ignite fires. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue open to let plenty of oxygen in. Always add wood in small wood burning stoves (simply click the up coming site) pieces and make sure that the fire doesn't get too hot. If you are in a smoke-control zone, never set up an indoor fire.
Make sure your chimney and stove 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. It is also important to have the chimney swept and inspected regularly. Ensure that the flue is not flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
It's a good idea to keep your wood in a shed or a tarp. This can allow the wood to season and dry more quickly. It is also recommended to keep the firewood away from other sources of heat to reduce fire risks. You should also put your stove on an inflammable surface like a tiled floor.
You must supervise your children around the stove if you have young children. They may try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash which can be hazardous. Also, keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family to practice fire drills at home. This will allow you to escape your home in the case of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home safe, check out our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.
