How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood-burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. They are best used with wood that has been properly seasoned.

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

Modern wood stoves utilize a superior combustion method that splits the air supply into two phases. This allows them to improve the efficiency of heating while generating less emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The combustion efficiency of your wood stove is a measure of how efficiently your wood is transformed into heat. The efficiency of heating transfer is the degree to which heat is transferred from your stove to the room. A wood-burning stove that has high efficiency and combustion will use less fuel, and produce less waste, such as carbon monoxide and steam.

Modern wood stoves usually feature high combustion efficiency because they feature sophisticated design features that allow them to maximize their burn and make use of less wood. These stoves also tend to emit low levels of emissions, particularly EPA-certified stoves that require a catalytic combustor to purify exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These cleaner stoves are a great option for homeowners who wish to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of a wood stove.

Proper operation and maintenance can improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This can be achieved by maintaining a fire in the stove with frequent additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which could make the stove less efficient.

Another key element in the efficiency of wood stoves is the use of properly dried wood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%. Dry, seasoned wood will not only provide more heat for the same fuel and will emit less air pollution and generate less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances that a new stove can emit within an hour. Most modern wood stoves rely on a secondary combustion, or a catalytic combustor in order to minimize emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. If you want to find an wood-burning stove that complies with EPA emission standards, search for 913875.xyz one that has an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission rate lower than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic wood stoves make use of a special honeycombed combustor made from ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor works much similar to what your catalyst in your car works to clean the exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with chemicals and particulates in the smoke breaking them down into harmless end products like carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and lower emissions than non-catalytic models, without sacrificing efficiency or heat output. The combustor performs its best when the temperature of gas in the flue is 1,000degF or higher. When the fire is burned at a low temperature the gases inside the stove do not attain this temperature and the combustor will not function properly.

The combustor can be damaged by burning foreign substances such as trash, paper logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these materials could result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance which prevents it from functioning in the way it was intended. Masking can also occur due to closing the bypass damper to shortly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could cause smoke spillage.

The combustor, when properly installed and operated, will provide years of reliable operation. It will require little maintenance other than cleaning the soot off its surface after a prolonged burn and regularly cleaning it with a dry, soft bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper which is opened to ignite a fire and closed to reload the stove. The bypass damper should be checked for the "operate catalyst" indicator which shows when your combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be decreased if you close the bypass damper too early. Closing the bypass damper too quickly can reduce the temperature of the inlet to the combustor, and could cause damage to it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, check your stove's instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.

Airflow Controls

Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary and tertiary air systems are all in place to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each air system plays a distinct role in the combustion process.

The main air control is located either beneath or inside the stove door. It regulates the amount of air that is able to enter the firebox. More air will ignite the fire faster however it could increase the possibility of smoke and creosote. Ideally, the air control should be open for a brief period prior to lighting your wood stove.

Once you've reached the desired temperature You can gradually close the primary air control until the desired heat is achieved. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke, as this is a sign of the combustion is not efficient.

Secondary airflow controls are used to inject oxygen into your stove's top, usually as air jets that are placed above the fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Your fire will burn too quickly and produce large amounts smoke without it.

The secondary airflow, the final stage of the airflow systems of your stove is fed into the chimney or updraft. This helps to create an effective draft inside the flue and allows your stove to operate at its maximum efficiency.

It is important to remember that your wood stove was made and designed to be optimized specifically for the purpose of burning firewood. Any other type of burning combustible won't burn as well in your wood stove and 913875.xyz could result in high levels emissions and potentially chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using combustibles that are made of cardboard and paper, since they can produce toxic fumes as well as buildups of ash or creosote within your stove. It is also recommended to not place logs or other combustibles on the top of your fire because this could cause the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, 913875 particularly when your area is susceptible to frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They also can cause fire risk and carbon monoxide poisoning. You can avoid these dangers by implementing a few basic safety measures.

Make sure to use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Never make use of gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper or other flammable materials to start or rekindle a fire. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue wide open to let plenty of oxygen in. Always add wood in small pieces and don't let the fire burn out. Do not use a fireplace indoors even if you're in a smoking control zone.

Make sure that your chimney and www.913875.xyz stove are properly installed. Poorly installed wood stoves could cause a fire to the chimney, which could release harmful gases into your home. Regularly checking and cleaning the chimney is essential. Check that the chimney flue does not leak, which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed, or under a tarp. This will allow the wood to dry and season faster. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the wood from other sources of heat. It is also recommended to place your stove on a non-flammable flooring, 913875.xyz such as tiled floors.

If you have children, be sure to keep them away from the stove. They might attempt to touch the fire or play with the hot ash, which can be dangerous. You should also keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. It is also recommended to install an air shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will help you to get out of your home in the event of an emergency. Check out our article about fire escape routes to keep your home safe.