Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a low-carbon renewable source of heat that can help you save money on your energy bills. They also help with active woodland management, which benefits wildlife.

If they aren't installed and maintained correctly they could release carbon monoxide which poses health risks to the entire family. To avoid this, look for an EPA-certified wood stove that has modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic fireplace comes with a catalyst that looks like a honeycomb. It converts wood smoke into carbon dioxide. It is a great option for anyone looking to reduce indoor air pollution and save money by burning less wood. They consume less fuel, 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 are EPA-Certified

The EPA requires that wood stoves be constructed in accordance with certain guidelines that reduce their emissions. According to these guidelines a catalytic stove must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This compares to 4.1 grams/hour for a non-catalytic stove. It's important to remember that lower emission ratings don't necessarily translate into greater heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is crucial to make sure your wood electric stove fire is properly designed for the space where it will be installed. A stove that isn't properly sized will not function as it was intended and may even overheat. The proper stove size will increase heat output while reducing emissions. The brochure: Buying an EPA-Certified wood stove (PDF 530K), provides a convenient way to measure and choose the best wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytic stoves

The first type of wood stove that was manufactured was the non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood-burning stoves or open fire stoves. The main benefit of a non-catalytic stove is that it doesn't require an additional combustion in order to reduce emissions. However, a substantial amount of energy wasted is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves is contaminated with a toxic substance called creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove reduced these problems. The catalytic stove uses catalysts that burn 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 produces toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't completely burn the byproducts from burning wood. Additionally, the honeycomb structure of the catalyst can break down over time. This can lead to a decline in performance and the need for replacement.

Keeping the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor functioning properly will appear to be as a grayish powder. It must be free of soot, ash or other materials that could clog the cells and reduce catalytic surface area. The combustor should not be exposed to flame impingement. This could occur when a rapid, strong draft draws flames directly into a catalytic convertor. This may also happen if the firebox door or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to regularly inspect the catalytic combustor to determine whether it has physical damage and the need for replacement. If it is damaged or in need of replacement, it should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the stove's optimal performance.