How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves are an attractive addition to any home. However it is important to use them only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion allowed air to pass through below and above the fuel, resulting in the loss of energy, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves employ a superior combustion method that splits the air supply into two phases. This allows for greater efficiency in heating and lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of your wood stove is a measurement of how effectively the wood you use is converted into heat. It differs from the efficiency of heating transfer, which is the amount of heat that is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood burning stove that has high combustion and heating transfer efficiencies will require less fuel and create less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash, and steam.

Modern wood stoves have high combustion efficiency, thanks to their advanced design. They maximize the burn and use less wood. These stoves also emit very little emissions, particularly EPA-certified stoves that require a catalytic combustor in order to purify exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves are the perfect choice for homeowners who want to minimize their impact on the surroundings, while still enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove for sale, linked web-site, burning stove.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important aspect is to ensure the combustion process is controlled, which is achieved by maintaining a proper flame in the stove through regular additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will prevent the buildup of flammable creosote inside the chimney, which could make the stove less efficient.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned wood with a moisture content under 20 percent. Dry, seasoned firewood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel 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 that a new stove can emit in an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion process or catalytic combustor to manage combustion and reduce the amount of pollution they emit. If you want to find a wood burning stove that meets EPA emission standards, search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves make use of a special honeycombed combustor made from ceramic coated with noble metals such as platinum or palladium. The combustor works much similar to what your catalyst in your car to clean the exhaust. When smoke flows through the combustor, at high temperatures, noble metals react with the particles and the chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to produce lower emissions and burn more efficiently than other models without loss of heat output or efficiency. The combustor is most efficient when the temperature of gas in the flue is 1,000degF or higher. When the fire is burned in a low-flame the gases inside the stove do not reach this temperature and the combustor won't function properly.

Burning foreign materials, like paper logs, painted or treated wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these materials can result in "masking" that covers the cells of the combustor with a substance that stops it from functioning as intended. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells aren't regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar build up, plugging could occur, which can cause smoke spillage.

Properly operated and positioned the combustor can give years of reliable performance. It requires minimal maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot off its surface after a long burn and dusting it regularly with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor has a bypass damper which is opened to start the fire, and then closed when you're ready for reloading your stove. Examine the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates when your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor may be decreased if you close the bypass damper prematurely. If you close the bypass damper too early will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor and could cause damage to 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 need assistance.

Airflow Controls

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each system plays a unique part in the combustion process.

The air control that is located below or inside the door of your stove wood, controls the quantity of air allowed into the firebox. More air means a more efficient burning fire but it also increases the chances of creosote or chimney smokiness buildup. Ideally, the primary air control should be opened for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

When the fire has developed enough heat, the main air control can be shut down slowly until you're happy with the amount of heat generated. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke since this could indicate the combustion is not efficient.

Secondary airflow controls supply oxygen to the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets placed over your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling your flame. Without it, your fire will burn too fast and produce excessive amounts of smoke.

Tertiary airflow is a final stage of the stove's airflow system. It is carried into the updraft area or chimney. This helps to create a strong draft within the flue and allows your fire to reach its maximum efficiency.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove was built and optimized for burning firewood only. Any other combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove and could result in high levels emissions and possibly chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice but it needs to be dried for a minimum of 6 months. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, as these can cause toxic fumes as well as buildups of creosote or ash within your stove. It is important to not place wood or other combustibles over the top of your stove, as this can cause them to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are a great alternative to electricity, especially in areas that are prone to frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if used incorrectly. They can create harmful chemical substances that can be harmful to your health. They may also create a fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can minimize these dangers by taking basic safety precautions.

Make sure to use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or revive fires. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue wide open to let plenty of oxygen in. Add wood in small amounts and don't let the fire burn to ashes. Don't use a fireplace in the indoors even if you're in a smoking control area.

Make sure your stove and chimney have been installed correctly. A poorly constructed wood fire stove stove could result in an explosion in the chimney that could release harmful gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is also crucial. Ensure that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store your wood in a shed or under a cover. This can help the wood get more seasoned and dry more quickly. It is also important to keep the firewood from other sources of heat to minimize fire risks. It is also recommended to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as a tiled floor.

You should be aware of your children's activities around the stove if you have young ones. They might try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash, which could be risky. You should also keep all flammable items at least three feet from the stove. You should also think about installing a heat shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It is also advisable to encourage your family members to practice fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. Read our article on fire escape routes to ensure your home secure.