Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a carbon-free renewable source of heat that could save money on energy bills. They also aid in active woodland management that benefits wildlife.

If they aren't properly installed and maintained, they can produce carbon monoxide, which can pose health risks to the entire family. To avoid this, search for an EPA-certified wood stove that has modern technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove comes with an encapsulated catalyst which converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to cut down on indoor air pollution and save money by burning less wood. These stoves use less fuel, burn more hot and produce less creosote. They are more expensive to operate than non catalytic models and require regular maintenance on the combustion chamber.

contemporary wood burning stoves Stoves certified by the EPA

The EPA requires that wood stoves are designed in accordance with certain guidelines that reduce their emissions. According to these guidelines catalytic stoves 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. It is important to keep in mind that lower emission ratings do not necessarily mean greater heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is essential that your wood stove is sized appropriately for the space in which it will be put in. A stove that isn't 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) offers a simple method to determine the size and type of a new wooden stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytical stoves

The first type of wood stove to be 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 a second combustion to reduce emissions. Smoke is the primary source of energy wasted. The smoke from non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance known as creosote. The catalytic wood heater has reduced the risks. The catalytic stove utilizes catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to eliminate toxic creosote.

The catalytic wood burner was designed to lower the emission of toxic gases. However it is less efficient than the secondary combustion system used in the non-catalytic model. The catalyst does not completely burn the byproducts from burning wood, which is why it emits harmful fumes. In addition the honeycomb structure the catalyst may break down over time. This could lead to lower performance and the necessity for replacement.

Keep the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is functioning properly will appear to be powdery gray. It should be free of soot, ash or other materials which could block the cells and decrease catalytic surface area. The combustor must not be subject to flame impingement. This can happen when a rapid, strong draft forces flames into a catalytic converter. This can also happen in the event that you open the firebox or the ash pan doors open.

It is important to inspect the catalytic combustion chamber regularly for physical damage or the need to replace. If the catalytic unit is damaged or requires to be replaced, it should happen as soon as possible for optimal performance.