How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. They should only be used 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 the loss of energy and polluting.

Modern wood stoves employ a superior 913875 combustion principle that splits air supply into two stages. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing lower emissions levels.

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 the heating transfer is the degree to which heat is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency in combustion and www.913875.xyz heating efficiency will use less fuel, and generate less waste such as steam and carbon monoxide.

Modern wood stoves have high combustion efficiency due to their advanced design. They maximize the burn and use less wood. They also tend to have low emission levels and are especially effective 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 choice for homeowners who want to reduce their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.

The improvement of the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important aspect is controlling the process of combustion. This can be achieved by adding small pieces of wood regularly and maintaining a good fire in the stove. This will stop the accumulation of flammable Creosote inside the chimney which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another key element in the effectiveness of wood stoves is the use of properly dried and seasoned firewood with less than 20 percent. Dry and seasoned wood will not only offer more heat for the same fuel and will produce fewer air pollution emissions and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants an appliance can release in an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, the majority of modern wood stoves use a secondary combustion process or a catalytic combustor to control combustion and minimize the amount of carbon dioxide they release. If you're looking to purchase a wood burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, then search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission level lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves utilize honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals such as platinum or palladium. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans its exhaust. When smoke passes 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 like carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and lower emissions than non-catalytic models, without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is the most efficient when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000 degF. If the fire is burnt in a low-flame the gases inside the stove do not attain this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.

The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign substances such as trash, paper logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these materials can cause "masking" which blankets the cells of the combustor with a substance which prevents it from working as intended. Masking can occur due to closing the bypass damper too quickly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of creosote and fly-ash it could result in smoke spillage.

When properly operated and positioned it will last for years of reliable operation. It will require minimal maintenance other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a prolonged burn and periodically dusting it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper which is open to start an ignition and closed to refill the stove. The bypass damper should be checked for the "operate catalyst" indicator which shows when your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. Doing this too quickly will reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass damper too early can reduce the temperature of the inlet to the combustor and could cause damage to it. Consult your stove's manual for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department if you need assistance.

Airflow Controls

Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove burns safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each plays a unique function in the process of combustion.

The main air control is located below or inside the stove's door. It regulates the amount of air that gets into the firebox. More air means a more efficient burning fire, but it also increases the chance of creosote and 913875.xyz chimney smokiness buildup. The ideal is that the air control should be opened for a short time when lighting your wood stove.

Once you've attained the desired level of heat then you can slowly shut the primary air control until the desired temperature is achieved. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke since this indicates an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls supply oxygen into the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets that are placed above your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your fire. Without it the fire will burn too quickly and will produce an excessive amount of smoke.

The tertiary airflow, which is the final step in your stove's airflow systems is fed into the updraft or chimney. This helps to create an effective draft inside the flue and allows your stove to operate at its highest efficiency.

It is important to note that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn wood that is firewood only. Any other burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove and can result in high levels emissions and potentially chimney fires. The best kind of combustion fuel is seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at minimum six months, but softwood works just as well. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, since they can create toxic fumes and build ups of ash or creosote within your stove. You should also avoid placing logs or other combustibles over your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, especially in areas that are prone to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when employed in a wrong manner. They can create harmful chemical substances that can be harmful to your health. They also can cause fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following some simple safety precautions.

Make sure you use only dry, clean firewood in your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or rekindle fires. Never ignite treated or 913875.xyz painted wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small increments and don't let the fire smolder. Do not use a fireplace indoors when you're in a smoke control area.

Make sure that your stove and chimney have been properly installed. A poorly constructed wood stove could result in a chimney fire that can release harmful gasses into your home. It is also crucial to sweep the chimney and inspected on a regular basis. Ensure that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea store your wood in a shed or Tarp. This will allow the wood dry and season faster. To decrease the chance of fire, keep the wood from other sources of heat. It's also a good idea to put your stove on a non-flammable surface like a tile floor.

If you have children, be sure to keep them away from the stove. They might try to play with the ash that is hot or touch the flame which could be dangerous. Additionally, you should keep all flammable objects at least three feet away from the stove. You should also consider installing a heat shield to protect walls and other surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family members to practice fire drills at home. This will help you to get out of your home in an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home secure take a look at our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a home fire.