Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

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

If they are not properly maintained and installed, they could produce carbon monoxide that poses health risks for the family. To avoid this, pick a wood stove that's EPA certified and uses the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with a special honeycomb-like catalyst that converts the smoke of wood into carbon dioxide and water. This is a great choice for those looking to reduce indoor air pollution while saving money. They use less multi fuel stove, burn faster and produce less creosote. However, they are more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models. They also require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that have been certified by the EPA

The EPA requires that wood stoves are designed according to specific guidelines that reduce their emissions. These guidelines dictate that a catalytic wood stove must test at least 7.5 grams of smoke per hour. This is in comparison to 4.1 g/hr of smoke for a non catalytic stove. It's important to remember that lower emission ratings do not necessarily mean greater efficiency in heating.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial to make sure your wood stove is sized for the home where it will be installed. The wrong sized stove will not perform as intended and may even overheat. A properly sized stove improves heat output and reduces emissions. The brochure: Buying an certified wood stove that is EPA-certified (PDF 530K) is a great method to determine the size and type of the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove that was made was the non-catalytic one. These stoves are also known as traditional wood-burning stoves, or open fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove is advantageous in that it doesn't require another combustion to lower emissions. Smoke is one of the major sources of energy wasted. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves is contaminated with a toxic substance called creosote. The catalytic wood heater has reduced the risk of these issues. The catalytic stove is catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to eliminate the toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burning device was created to lower the emission of toxic gases. However it's less efficient than the secondary combustion system utilized in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst produces unhealthy fumes because it doesn't fully burn the wood byproducts that result from burning. The honeycomb structure may break down with time. This can lead to an increase in performance and the necessity for replacement.

Maintaining the Combustion Chamber Clean

A properly functioning catalytic combustor will have a light gray powdery appearance. It should be free of ash, soot or tatty material that can clog the catalytic surfaces and reduce their surface area. The combustor should also not be exposed to flame impingement. This could occur when a strong, rapid draft pulls flames directly into a catalytic converter. This can also occur if the firebox door or ash pan's door has been left open.

It is crucial to check the catalytic combustor for physical damage, and for the need for replacement. If the catalytic combustor is damaged or requires to be replaced, it must be done as quickly as is feasible to ensure optimal performance.