Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves can help you reduce your energy bills. They also aid in active woodland management that helps wildlife.

If they aren't installed and maintained correctly they may release carbon monoxide which poses health risks for the family. To avoid this, choose a wood stove that's EPA certified and features the latest technology to ensure safe operation.

Catalytic Stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with a special honeycomb-like catalyst which converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. It is an excellent choice for those who want to reduce indoor air pollution and save money by burning less wood. They consume less multi fuel stove, burn hotter and produce less creosote. However, they are more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models, and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that have been certified by the EPA

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

Sizing and Selection

It is important that your wood stove is built appropriately for the space in which it will be put in. The wrong size stove will not function as intended and may even overheat. A properly sized stove will increase the heat output while decreasing emissions. The brochure: Buying a certified wood stove that is EPA-certified (PDF 530K), provides a convenient way to size and select a new wooden stove.

Non-Catalytic and Catalytic stoves

The first wood stove that was made was a non-catalytic stove. These are also known as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it does not require a second combustion to reduce emissions. Smoke is a major source of wasted energy. The smoke produced by non-catalytic stoves has a poisonous substance known as creosote. The introduction of the catalytic wood stove has eliminated these problems. The catalytic stove uses catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to eliminate toxic creosote.

While the catalytic wood stove was designed as a means to reduce the emission of toxic gases however, it isn't as efficient as the secondary burn system found in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst does produce some toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't burn completely the byproducts from burning wood. The honeycomb structure could be damaged over time. This can lead to lower performance and the necessity for replacement.

Keeping the Combustion Chamber Clean

A catalytic combustor that is operating properly will appear as a grayish powder. It must be free of ash, soot or other tatty substances that would plug up the cells and decrease catalytic surface area. The combustor should not be exposed to flame impingement. This could be caused by a strong, fast draft pulling flames directly into the catalytic converter. This could also occur when you leave the firebox and the doors to the ash pan open.

It is essential to inspect the catalytic combustor for physical damage, and for the need for replacement. If it is damaged or requires replacement, it must be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the stove's best performance.