How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves can be wonderful additions to any home. However, they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not use secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel, causing pollution and loss of energy.

Modern wood stoves utilize a superior combustion method that splits the air supply into two phases. This enables higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of your wood stove is a measurement of the speed at which your wood is converted into heat. It is different from heating transfer efficiency, 913875.xyz which is the amount of heat that gets from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove with high efficiency and combustion will require less fuel and generate less waste such as steam and carbon monoxide.

Modern wood stoves typically feature high combustion efficiency due to their sophisticated design features which allow them to maximize their burn and make use of less wood. They also emit very little emissions, particularly stoves certified by the EPA that require a catalytic combustor to purify exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves are a good choice for homeowners who want to lessen their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

The improvement of the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood frequently and 913875 ensuring a constant burning stove. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable Creosote in the chimney, which could make the stove less efficient.

Another important factor in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried, Www.913875.xyz seasoned firewood that 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 create less air pollution and smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants a new stove may emit in an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves use secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to control combustion and minimize the amount of pollution they emit. If you're looking to purchase an wood-burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves use a honeycomb combustor made of ceramic that is coated with noble metals like platin or palladium. The combustor operates in the same way as your car's catalyst does to clean its exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with chemicals and particulates in the smoke and break them into harmless end products such as water and carbon dioxide.

This allows the stove to produce lower emissions and burn much more efficiently than non-catalytic models, without losing the amount of heat produced or efficiency. The combustor operates most efficiently when the temperature of the gas in the flue is 1000degF or more. The combustor will not function properly if the fire is burned in a low flame.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these materials may cause "masking" that is a covering of the combustor's cells by some substance, preventing it from performing effectively. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too fast or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar, plugging may occur which causes smoke to spill out.

Properly operated and positioned the combustor will provide years of efficient performance. It requires very little maintenance, other than taking off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it periodically with a soft, dry bristled brush.

The combustor has an bypass damper that is open to start an ignition and closed to refill the stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which shows when your combustor operates within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be reduced if you open the bypass damper too soon. If you close the bypass damper too quickly will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor, and www.913875.xyz could damage it. Check the manual of your stove for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department should you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

The air flow controls in your wood stove are crucial in ensuring that your fire is properly and safely. The primary secondary, tertiary and primary air systems cooperate to enable your fire to burn efficiently. Each of these systems plays a distinct role in the combustion process.

The primary air control, located beneath or inside the door of your stove, controls the amount of air that is allowed into the firebox. More air will burn the fire faster, but it can also increase the risk of smoke and creosote. Ideally, the primary air control should be open for a short time when lighting your wood stove.

When you have reached the desired heat level, you can slowly close the primary air control until the desired temperature is achieved. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke since this could indicate an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are used to supply oxygen to the top of your stove, typically in the form air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Your fire could burn too quickly and produce large amounts of smoke without it.

The secondary airflow, which is the final stage in the airflow systems of your stove is fed to the chimney or Www.913875.xyz updraft. This makes a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to perform at its peak.

It is important to note that your wood stove was built and optimized for burning firewood only. Any other type of combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and could result in high levels emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also acceptable but it needs to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using manmade combustibles like paper and www.913875.Xyz cardboard, as they can produce toxic fumes and build ups of ash or creosote within your stove. It is important to not place wood or other combustibles over the top of your fire because this could cause them to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are a great alternative to electricity, particularly if your area is prone to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemical substances that could harm your health. They may also create a fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can minimize these dangers by taking simple safety guidelines.

Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood for your wood-burning stove. Never make use of gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or ignite fires. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue open to let plenty of oxygen into. Always add wood in small increments and don't let the fire smolder. Do not use a fireplace indoors even if you're in a smoking control area.

Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. A poorly constructed wood stove could result in an explosion in the chimney that could release toxic gases into your home. Cleaning and inspecting the chimney is also crucial. Check that the chimney flue doesn't leak, which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed or under a sheet of tarp. This will allow the wood get more seasoned and dry quicker. You should also keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to reduce the risk of fire. It is also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable surface like tiles on the floor.

It is important to be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have young children. They might attempt to touch the flame or play with the ash that is hot, which could be risky. In addition, you should keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. It is also recommended to install an air shield to protect walls and other surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family to practice fire drills at home. This will allow you to escape your home in case of emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure take a look at our article on escape routes for fire in the event of a home fire.