How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. However they should be used only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion let air in between and above the fuel. This resulted in energy loss as well as chimney tarring and air pollution.

Modern wood stoves use an advanced combustion technique that separates the air supply into two phases. This enables higher heating efficiency with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of combustion in the wood stove is a measure of how well your wood is turned into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the degree to which heat is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash, and steam.

Modern wood stoves typically have high efficiency in combustion due to their sophisticated design features that enable them to maximize their burn and make use of less wood. These stoves also emit low levels of emissions, especially stoves that are EPA-certified and require a catalytic combustor to clean exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves make a great choice for homeowners looking to reduce their impact on the environment, while still enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove.

The improvement of the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of correct operation and maintenance. The most important factor is to control the combustion process. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood regularly and maintaining a steady fire in the stove. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote inside the chimney, which could cause the stove to become less efficient.

Another important factor in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried and seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20 percent. Dry and seasoned firewood will not only generate more heat from the same fuel but will also create less smoke and air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove can emit within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, the majority of modern wood stoves use a secondary combustion process or a catalytic combustor to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollution they emit. If you want to find a wood burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, then search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves use a special ceramic honeycombed combustor coated with noble metals like palladium or platinum. The combustor functions similarly to the catalyst in your car that cleans the exhaust. The noble metals contained in the combustor react with the particles and chemicals that are in the smoke breaking them into harmless end products like carbon dioxide and water.

This allows the stove to burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models, but without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs its best when the temperature of gas in the flue is 1000degF or more. The combustor won't perform as efficiently if the fire is ignited in a low flame.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, may damage the combustor. The burning of these materials can cause "masking" which blankets the cells of the combustor with a substance that stops it from performing in the way it was intended. Masking can occur due to closing the bypass damper too fast or by refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cell is not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could cause smoke spillage.

If properly operated and positioned, the combustor will give years of reliable performance. It will require very little maintenance other than cleaning the soot off its surface after a long burn and regularly cleaning it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with an bypass damper that is opened to ignite a fire and closed to reload the stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which will indicate when your combustor operates within its optimal temperature range. Opening the bypass damper too quickly will reduce the operating range of the combustor. Closing the bypass too soon can reduce the temperature of the combustor's outlet and cause damage to it. Refer to the manual for your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department should you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

The air flow controls on your wood stove are vital in ensuring that your fire burns safely and properly. The primary secondary, tertiary and primary air systems are all in place to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each plays a distinct function in the process of combustion.

The main air control situated either below or within the door of your stove, controls amount of air that is allowed to enter the firebox. More air can burn the fire more quickly but it could also increase the chance of smoke and creosote. When you light your wood stove, the main air control should be opened wide and for a short period of time.

Once the fire has developed enough heat, the main air control can be shut down slowly until you're happy with the amount of heat being generated. It is important to ensure that there isn't any smoke is coming out of the chimney or stove as this is a sign of an inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to inject oxygen into the top of your stove, Www.5829186.Xyz typically in the form air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Your fire could burn too fast and create excessive amounts smoke without it.

The secondary airflow, which is the final step in the airflow system of your stove is fed to the chimney or Www.5829186.xyz updraft. This makes a strong draft in the flue, allowing your fire to perform optimally.

It is important to remember that your wood stove was made and designed to be optimized specifically to burn firewood. Any other combustible will not burn properly in your wood stove, www.5829186.xyz (www.5829186.xyz) and may result in high levels of emissions and possibly chimney fires. The most efficient type of combustible to use is well-seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months, though softwood is equally effective. Avoid using cardboard and paper since they could release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. You should also avoid placing logs or other combustibles in the vicinity of your fire as they can explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, especially when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when employed in a wrong manner. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also cause an ignition risk and result in carbon monoxide poisoning. You can stay clear of these risks by taking a few simple safety measures.

Use only clean, dry firewood in your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to ignite or rekindle fires. Never ignite treated or painted wood. Keep the flue wide open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small amounts and make sure that the fire doesn't get too hot. Do not use a fireplace indoors when you're in a smoke control zone.

Check that your chimney and stove have been installed correctly. A poorly constructed wood stove could result in a chimney fire that can release toxic gases into your home. Regularly checking and cleaning the chimney is essential. Make sure the chimney flue is not able to leak, as this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Keep your wood in a shed or under a sheet of tarp. This will allow the wood dry and season faster. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the wood from other heat sources. You should also put your stove on a non-flammable surface like a tiled floor.

It is important to be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have youngsters. They may try to play with the ash that is hot or even touch the fire which can be hazardous. Also, keep all flammable items at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat-shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. Read our article on ways to escape from fire to keep your home safe.