Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a non-carbon renewable source of heat that can reduce energy costs. They also help with active woodland management that helps wildlife.

However, if not properly maintained and installed, they can produce carbon monoxide that poses health hazards for the entire family. To avoid this, search for an EPA-certified wood stove with modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with an encapsulated catalyst which converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. It is a good choice for anyone looking to reduce their indoor pollution and save money by burning less wood. These stoves burn hotter and produce less creosote. They use less fuel. However, they can be more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models, and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves Certified by the EPA

The EPA requires that wood stoves be constructed according to certain guidelines that limit their emissions. In accordance with these guidelines, catalytic stoves must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is in contrast to 4.1 grams per hour of smoke for a non catalytic stove. It is important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings do not necessarily translate into greater efficiency in heating.

Sizing and Selection

It is important that your wood stove is built appropriately for the space in which it will be put in. A stove that is not properly sized won't perform as it should and may even overheat. Proper stove size increases the amount of heat produced and lowers emissions. The brochure: Buying an wood stove that is certified by the EPA (PDF 530K) is a great way to size and select the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood bio ethanol stove that was made was the non-catalytic one. These are also known as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it doesn't require another combustion to lower emissions. However, a substantial amount of wasted energy is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke that is produced by wood stoves that are not catalytic contain creosote, a heavy substance which is a highly toxic substance. The catalytic wood heater has helped to alleviate these problems. The catalytic stove uses catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to remove the toxic creosote.

While the catalytic wood stove was created as a means to reduce the emission of toxic gases, it is not as efficient as the secondary burn system found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst produces unhealthy fumes because it doesn't fully burn the byproducts of burning wood. Additionally the honeycomb structure the catalyst can break down over time. This can result in decreased performance and a need for replacement.

Cleaning the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor working properly will appear like a powdery gray. It must be free of soot, ash or other tatty substances that would plug up the cells and decrease the catalytic surface. The combustor shouldn't be exposed to flame impingement. This can be caused by a strong, fast draft that draws flames directly into the catalytic converter. This could also happen when the firebox's or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to check the catalytic combustion chamber on a regular basis for physical damage or the need to replace. If the catalytic combustor is damaged or requires to be replaced, it must happen as soon as possible to ensure optimal performance.