Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove

A wood stove provides an ideal place to relax and provide warmth to a whole house. Some of these devices emit harmful gasses, such as creosote, which can be dangerous for the health of your family and your property.

It is essential to maintain these stoves. Some of the most important points to remember are: not overheating the stove and not tinkering with the stove, and using dried firewood.

Fuel

Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional household coal or wet wood. However, they do still emit some smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their best.

Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or using any type of fuel. Make sure it is the right fuel for your stove. Incorrect fuels can cause damage to your chimney or stove which can result in costly repairs and voiding your warranty. It is illegal to use fuel that is not approved, especially in smoke control zones. Check for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets sulphur and smoke emission limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the package or beside the brand Wood Heater Stove name and price.

Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and then split for several months prior to use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which boosts the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood chosen should also suit your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are good value for money, but hardwoods like oak and beech generate more hot embers and operate over a longer time. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry do not just offer efficient heating, but also enhance the ambience with their pleasant aromas.

If you own a multi-fuel stove, think about a mixed fuel stove; mixing smokeless briquettes with wood will help keep the flames burning and warm your home for a longer period of time. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and also help in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving.

A well-maintained stove will create more heat, use less fuel and generate fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure that it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme such as HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A well-maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and will protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions.

Design

The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating their use as a primary or complementing heat source. Unwanted byproducts from combustion, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, can be harmful to health and environmental impact. A well-planned and efficient operation are key factors in minimizing these emissions.

Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emission and energy efficiency standards that optimize the amount of heat they produce. You can check whether a stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back of the stove or by checking the EPA database. Hearth stores in your area can also be a good source for information on Wood burner clearance sale stoves, such as the size and capacity that is ideal for your home.

Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a key part of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by walls of fireproof material and air vents are positioned in the walls to provide controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and emissions are reduced.

Many modern stoves use an air baffle that improves the time to burn the fire, which reduces emissions of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ catalyst converters to decrease NOx emission. This type of system is more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves.

Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate airflow in the stove. The majority of wood stoves still utilize a passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove properly to get the Best wood burning stoves performance. Some wood stoves are also available with active air sources that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the amount of air as needed.

Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative heating solution for homes in remote areas or without access to the electric grid. But, if you do not have a backup heating source to depend on during a power outage or in case of an upcoming snowstorm, a wooden stove should not be the sole option for heating your home.

Heat output

A lot of wood stoves are advertised as having the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading because the actual output of a wood-burning stove depends on many variables such as the dimensions of the room and the degree of insulation it has.

The climate of the region can also influence the heating demands. To keep warm, colder regions need stoves with higher BTU ratings.

The type of wood used and the frequency you replenish your woodburning fireplace are other elements that affect the amount of heat produced. Dry, seasoned firewood creates more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. The stove fan can also help transfer the warmth generated by the wood burner throughout the room, rather than having the hot air rise upwards.

It is vital to keep in mind that the highest output of a wood heater stove is not to be reached often because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home.

The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular fueling. When adding a log ensure that it's not too large and place it on the glowing embers so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or glass pane. Make smaller logs more often instead of taking too long between additions.

High efficiency stoves are designed to provide more heat output from the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air and by incorporating other features into the design. They typically produce less smoke, toxins, and carbon monoxide than earlier models.

A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood-burning stove to heat the water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a house. This is an efficient and cost-effective method of heating the home. However the installation process can take an extended time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy required to run the boiler can increase the overall cost.

Safety

Fireplaces and wood stoves are a practical and attractive way to heat your home. However, they are not without risk. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. The proper use and maintenance of a stove that burns wood reduces these dangers.

Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the chimney and flue at least once every year for signs of rust or wear and cleaning them. The chimney must be inspected for creosote at the end of each season. It is extremely flammable, and can cause a fire in the chimney.

When purchasing a wood-burning stove make sure you choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another recognized testing lab. This guarantees that the stove meets the safety standards set by the federal government and is designed to vent properly. Also, you should check the legs, hinges and grates of a stove to ensure they are in good shape and securely secured to the floor.

If you decide to put in a wood stove in your cabin, be sure that the floor beneath it is non-combustible and reinforced. You can also install tiles that are not combustible over your flooring in the event that it is inflammable.

Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wet and green woods can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build up inside your chimney, releasing harmful chemicals. Do not burn cardboard, paper, trash or other combustibles in your wood stove as they could release dangerous fumes and may not burn completely.

Never "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove is capable of handling. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage to the stove, chimney connector, and chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other materials that are combustible in your home. Also, ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out prior to leaving your cabin or retiring to sleep. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.