Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a non-carbon renewable source of heat that could help you save money on your energy bills. They also support active woodland management, which benefits wildlife.

If they are not maintained and installed correctly, they could produce carbon monoxide which can pose health hazards for the family. To avoid this, choose a wood stove that is EPA certified and has modern technology for safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is outfitted with a special catalyst, which looks like a honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into water and carbon dioxide. This is an excellent option for those looking to reduce the air pollution in their homes while saving money. They consume less fuel, burn hotter, and produce less creosote. They can be more costly to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance on the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves certified by the EPA

The EPA requires wood stoves to be constructed in accordance with certain guidelines that reduce their emissions. According to these guidelines catalytic stoves must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is compared to 4.1 grams/hour for an uncatalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings don't translate into better heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial that your wood stove is designed correctly for the home where it will be placed. The wrong sized stove will not function as it was intended and could even overheat. A properly-sized stove increases the heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure buying an EPA-certified Wood Stove (PDF 530K) offers a straightforward method of sizing and selecting a new wood woodburning stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove that was made was a non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove is advantageous in that it doesn't need a second combustion to reduce emissions. However, a substantial amount of wasted energy is lost as smoke. The smoke from a non-catalytic wood stove contains a heavy residue called creosote which is a highly toxic substance. The catalytic wood heater has reduced these problems. The catalytic stove is a catalyst that burns the gases in the smoke to remove the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was developed to minimize toxic emissions. However it is less efficient than the secondary combustion system that is used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst is unable to completely burn the byproducts produced by burning wood, and consequently produces harmful fumes. The honeycomb structure can also break down with time. This could lead to an increase in performance and the need for replacement.

Maintain the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor operating properly will appear as a grayish powder. It should be free from soot, ash or any other material that could clog the catalytic surfaces, and reduce their surface area. The combustor should not be exposed to flame impingement. This can occur when a powerful, fast draft draws flames directly into a catalytic convertor. This could also happen if the firebox door or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to regularly inspect the catalytic combustor to determine whether it has physical damage and the need for replacement. If the catalytic combustor is damaged or needs to be replaced, it should be done as quickly as is feasible for optimal performance.