Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you reduce your energy bills. They also aid in active woodland management that benefits wildlife.

If they are not installed and maintained correctly they could release carbon monoxide which poses health risks to the family. To avoid this, look for an EPA-certified wood stove equipped with modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is outfitted with a specific catalyst which looks like honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into water and carbon dioxide. It is a good choice for those who want to cut down on indoor pollution and save money by burning less wood. They use less fuel, burn hotter, and produce less creosote. However, they are more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models, and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

EPA-Certified Wood Stoves

The EPA requires that wood stoves be constructed according to specific guidelines that reduce their emissions. According to these guidelines, a catalytic stove must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is in contrast to 4.1 g/hr of smoke for a non catalytic stove. But, it's important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings do not translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is essential that your wood stove is sized to fit the area in which it will be installed. The wrong sized stove won't perform as it should and could even overheat. Proper stove size increases the amount of heat produced and lowers emissions. The brochure: Buying an certified wood stove that is EPA-certified (PDF 530K) offers a simple method to determine the size and type of a new wooden stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove produced was the non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood burning stoves or open-Fire stove stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it does not require a second combustion to reduce emissions. Smoke is the primary source of energy waste. The smoke from a wood stove that is not catalytic has creosote, a heavy substance which is a very toxic substance. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove reduced these problems. The catalytic wood stove utilizes catalysts to burn the smoke's gases and eliminates the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood multi burner stove was designed to minimize toxic emissions. However, it is less effective than the secondary combustion system used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst can produce toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't completely burn the wood byproducts that result from burning. The honeycomb structure may be damaged over time. This can result in decreased performance and the need for replacement.

Maintaining the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is operating properly will appear powdery gray. It should be free of ash, soot or tatty material that could clog the catalytic surfaces and decrease their surface area. The combustor shouldn't be subjected to flame impingement. This can be caused by a strong, fast draft that is pulling flames directly into the catalytic converter. This can also happen if you leave the firebox or the doors to the ash pan open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustion chamber regularly for physical damage or a need to replace. If the catalytic combustor has become damaged or requires to be replaced, it must be done as quickly as is feasible to ensure optimal performance.