How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be stunning additions to any home. They are best made use of properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that didn't have secondary combustion allowed air to get into the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel, causing the loss of energy and polluting.

Modern wood stoves use superior combustion methods that splits the air supply into two phases. This results in higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of the combustion of wood stoves is an indicator of how efficiently the wood you use is turned into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the degree to which heat is transferred from the stove to a room. A wood burning stove that has high combustion and heating transfer efficiencies will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash, and steam.

Modern wood stoves boast high efficiency in combustion, due to their sophisticated design. They maximize the burn by using less wood. These stoves also tend to emit low levels of emissions, especially stoves that are EPA-certified and require a catalytic combustor in order to clean exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves are the perfect choice for homeowners who want to minimize their impact on our surroundings, while still enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove.

Proper operation and maintenance will improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important aspect is to ensure the combustion process is controlled, which is accomplished by ensuring a steady fire in the stove by frequent additions of small pieces of wood fire stove at regular intervals. This will stop the accumulation of flammable Creosote inside the chimney which can reduce the efficiency of the stove.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned firewood with less than 20%. Dry, seasoned wood will not only provide more heat for the same fuel and will emit less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines to limit the amount smoke and other pollutants a new stove may emit within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves use secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to control combustion and minimize the amount of carbon dioxide they release. To find a wood stove that meets the EPA emission standards, look for one that is adorned with an EPA certification label and a smoke emission rate of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize the honeycomb combustor, which is made of ceramic and is coated with noble metals like platin or palladium. The combustor functions in the same way as your catalyst in your car works to clean your exhaust. The noble metals found in the combustor react to chemicals and particulates in the smoke, breaking them into harmless products like carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to have lower emissions and burn much cleaner than non-catalytic models without loss of heat output or efficiency. The combustor is most efficient when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000degF. The combustor will not work properly if the flame is ignited in a low flame.

Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, treated or painted wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these substances can cause "masking" which covers the combustor's cells with a substance, preventing it from working properly. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too quickly or by refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been regularly cleaned of creosote fly-ash and tar, plugging could occur, which can cause smoke to leak out.

When properly operated and placed, the combustor can give years of reliable performance. It requires minimal maintenance other than getting rid of the soot off its surface after a long burn and dusting it frequently with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor has an bypass damper that can be opened to ignite the fire, and then closed when you're ready to load your stove. Examine the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates when your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. Doing this too soon can reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too soon could reduce the temperature of the combustor's outlet and damage it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, consult the instruction manual for your stove or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

The controls for air flow in your wood stove are crucial in ensuring that your fire burns safely and properly. The primary, secondary and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each plays a unique function in the process of combustion.

The air control that is situated either below or within your stove's door controls the amount of air that is allowed to enter the firebox. More air means a more efficient burning fire but it also increases the chances of creosote or chimney smokiness buildup. Ideally, the primary air control should be open for a short period when lighting your wood stove.

Once your fire has built up enough heat, the primary air control can be shut down slowly until you're happy with the amount of heat being produced. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke as this indicates inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls feeds oxygen into the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned above your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Your fire will burn too quickly and produce large amounts of smoke without it.

Tertiary airflow is the last stage of your stove's airflow system and is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to function at its peak.

It is crucial to keep in mind that your wood stove was made and designed to be optimized specifically to burn firewood. Any other type of burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove and could result in high levels of emissions and possibly chimney fires. The most efficient type of combustion fuel is well-seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months, although softwood can be used as well. Avoid using combustibles that are made of cardboard and paper, as they can create toxic fumes as well as buildups of creosote or ash within your stove. It is also a good idea to avoid placing logs or other combustibles on the top of your fire in case this causes the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood burning stoves are a great alternative to electricity, especially when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when utilized incorrectly. They can release harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also create a electric fire stove; click the following page, hazard and result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these risks by following some simple safety precautions.

Make sure to use only clean, dry firewood in your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or revive fires. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue wide open to let plenty of oxygen in. Add wood in small quantities and don't let the fire smolder. If you're in a smoke-control room, never make use of an indoor fire.

Make sure your chimney and stove have been installed correctly. A poorly installed wood stove can cause a chimney fire that can release toxic gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is essential. Check that the chimney flue is not able to leak, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep your wood in a shed, or under a sheet of tarp. This will help the wood to dry out and grow faster. It is also recommended to keep the firewood from other sources of heat to reduce the risk of fire. It is also recommended to place your stove on an inflammable flooring, such as tiled floors.

You must be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have any young ones. They may try to touch the fire or play with the ash that is hot, which could be risky. In addition, you should keep all items that are flammable at least three feet away from the stove. You should also think about installing an air shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. It is also advisable to encourage your family to practice fire drills at home. This will allow you to escape your home in the case of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure take a look at our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.