Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove

A wood stove is a great method to warm your home and it can also heat the entire house. Some of these appliances emit harmful gases like creosote which can be dangerous for health and property.

A proper care for these stoves is vital. A few important factors to be aware of include: avoiding overheating the room, not messing with the fire and using properly dried firewood.

Fuel

Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types which include dry second hand wood burner and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and better for the environment than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they emit some smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their best.

Before you purchase or use any fuel, make sure you read the manufacturer's directions and make sure that the fuel is suitable for your stove. Incorrect fuel could damage your stove and chimney and cause costly repairs or voiding the warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could also be illegal, particularly in smoke control areas. Check for the 'Ready to Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur and smoke emission limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the package or beside the name of the brand and price.

The fuels that are suitable for burning must be dried or seasoned to reduce moisture content. This can increase heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood you select will also depend on your heating requirements. Softwoods like pine and spruce offer an excellent value for money but hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers and operate over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods like apple and cherry can not only be used to heat your home, but also add an appealing scent.

If you own a multi-fuel stove, consider a mixed fuel fire. mixing smokeless briquettes with wood can help to keep the flames going and warm up your home for longer. Briquettes can be used as a backup and can also in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving.

A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while producing fewer harmful particles. If you own an oil or gas-fired wood stove, ensure it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme such as HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A properly maintained appliance will be more economical to run and 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 them as a primary or secondary heating source. Unwanted byproducts from combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke are a concern for health and environmental impact. The key to reducing these emissions is correct operation and a well-planned design.

Modern wood stoves are designed to be more environmentally conscious than traditional models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emission and energy efficiency standards that optimize the quantity of heat they generate. You can determine if a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back or checking the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who are knowledgeable about the performance of their products is a great way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is best for your space.

A key part of the EPA emission regulations involves controlling the flow of air through the stove. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by a wall of fireproof material and air vents are located in the walls to provide controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and emissions are reduced.

A majority of modern stoves have an air baffle that improves the combustion time of the fire, which lowers the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves include a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This is more expensive and is utilized only in top-quality wood burning stoves.

Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves have an inherently air supply that is passive, which requires that the operator (you) manage the stove in a way that allows maximum 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 based on the need.

One of the most significant advantages of large wood burner stoves is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, which makes it an excellent alternative heating option for homes that are located in remote areas or do not have access to an electric grid. If you do not have a backup source of heat in the event of a power outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, wood stoves shouldn't be your sole option for heating your home.

Heat output

A lot of wood stoves advertise their maximum heat output in BTUs. This is a false statement, however, as the actual capacity of a wood stove is dependent on a variety of factors such as the size of the room and the degree of insulation.

Climate also affects the requirements for heat. Colder regions require stoves with more BTU rating to ensure the temperature.

Other factors that affect the production of heat are the type of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. A stove fan can assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood burner within the room, rather than having the hot air rise.

It is vital to keep in mind that the peak output of a wood heater stove is not to be reached often as continuous high firing causes damage to a stove's innards and can cause carbon monoxide to escape into the home.

Regular refueling can also improve the performance of a fireplace. Make sure that the log isn't too big and placed on the embers that are glowing, so it does not get in the way of the glass or walls of the stove. Add smaller logs more frequently, rather than being too long between additions.

High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce greater heat output using the same amount fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air and employing other design features. They produce less carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke than earlier models.

Many people opt to install boiler stoves as element of their heating system. This uses the heat generated by the wood burning stove to heat water in the hot water tank or central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is a cost-effective and cost-effective method to heat the home. However, the installation process can take an extended time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy needed to run the boiler will add to overall costs.

Safety

Wood stoves and fireplaces are an attractive and convenient way to heat a home. However, they're not without their risks. Sparks and embers can spout out of a flame and ignite furniture or carpeting, and a hot chimney could cause fire damage to the structure of your home. A proper use and maintenance of a second hand wood burning stoves-burning stove reduces these dangers.

Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear, and having them cleaned at least twice per year. The chimney should also be inspected halfway through the season to check for creosote accumulation, which is extremely flammable and could cause chimney fires.

When buying a wood-burning fireplace select one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This ensures that the stove meets the safety standards of the federal government and is engineered to vent properly. Check the legs, hinges and grates to make sure they are in good shape and securely fastened to the floor of the stove.

If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor underneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible material. You might also want to lay a piece of non-combustible floor tile over the flooring that is in place, especially if you live in an old mobile home that has combustible floors.

Only burn wood that is seasoned and dry. Green and damp wood produces excessive smoke and creosote, a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney and release toxic chemicals into your home. Don't burn trash, cardboard, paper or any other combustibles on your wood stove, since they can create dangerous fumes and could not fully burn.

Never "over-fire" your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Over firing can result in flames leaving the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials within your home. Make sure the fire has been completely smothered prior to leaving your cabin or going to sleep. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your house.