wood Burning stove small Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you save money on your energy bills. They also help with active woodland management that helps wildlife.

However, if they aren't installed and maintained properly they can create carbon monoxide that poses health risks for the entire family. To avoid this, look for an EPA-certified wood stove with modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace is outfitted with a special catalyst, that looks like honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into carbon dioxide. This is a fantastic option for those who want to cut down on the air pollution in their homes while saving money. They consume less fuel, burn more hot, and produce less creosote. However, they can be more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models. They also require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

wood burning stove for sale Stoves that have been certified by the EPA

The EPA requires that wood stoves be designed according to specific guidelines that restrict their emissions. These guidelines dictate that a catalytic wood stove should test no higher than 7.5 grams of smoke per hour. This is in contrast to 4.1 grams per hour for an uncatalytic stove. It's important to remember that lower emission ratings don't necessarily translate into greater heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is very important to make sure your wood stove is sized for the home in which it will be installed. A stove that is not properly sized won't function as it should and could overheat. A properly sized stove improves heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure: Buying an EPA-Certified Wood Stove (PDF 530K) offers a straightforward method for sizing and selecting a new wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove produced was an uncatalytic stove. These are also known as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove is advantageous in that it doesn't require a second combustion to reduce emissions. However, a significant amount of wasted energy is lost as smoke. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance called creosote. The catalytic wood heater has reduced the risk of these issues. The catalytic stove uses a catalyst that burns the gases in the smoke to eliminate toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burning device was created to minimize toxic emissions. However it is less efficient than the secondary combustion system that is used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst does produce some toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't fully burn the wood byproducts that result from burning. In addition the honeycomb structure the catalyst can break down over time. This can lead to a decline in performance and the need for replacement.

Cleaning the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor operating properly will appear as a grayish powder. It should be free of ash, soot or other tatty substances which could block the cells and reduce catalytic surface area. The combustor should not be subjected to impingement of flames. This could be caused by an extremely fast, strong draft that is pulling flames directly into the catalytic converter. This can also happen if you leave the firebox or the ash pan doors open.

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