How Much Do Wood Burning Stove Experts Make?

How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves are stunning additions to any home. They are best used with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves with no secondary combustion admitted air between and above the fuel. This resulted in the loss of energy, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves use an advanced combustion technique that separates the air supply into two phases. This lets them achieve higher heating efficiencies with lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of the combustion of a wood stove is an indicator of how efficiently your wood is turned into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the amount that heat is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood-burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will require less fuel and create less waste, including carbon monoxide, ash, and steam.

Modern wood stoves generally have high combustion efficiencies, as they have sophisticated design features that allow them to maximize their burn and make use of less wood. These stoves also emit low levels of emissions, particularly stoves certified by the EPA that require a catalytic combustor in order to clean exhaust gases as they exit the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a good choice for homeowners who want to minimize their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will increase the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This is achieved by maintaining a fire in the stove with regular additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can make the stove less efficient.

The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned firewood with a moisture content under 20 percent. Dry and seasoned wood will not only offer more heat for the same fuel however, it will emit less air pollution and produce less smoke.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidelines to limit the amount smoke and other pollutants that an appliance can release in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or a catalytic combustor to reduce pollution and meet EPA guidelines. If you're looking to purchase a wood burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, then search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission level below 4 grams per hr.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves utilize a ceramic honeycomb combustor that is coated with noble metals, such as platin or palladium. The combustor is similar to the catalyst in your car that cleans its exhaust. The noble metals in the combustor react with chemicals and particulates in the smoke and break them into harmless products like carbon dioxide and water.

This lets the stove burn cleaner and lower emissions than non-catalytic models, 913875 but without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor operates most efficiently when the temperature of gas in the flue is at least 1,000degF or greater. The combustor cannot function properly if the fire is burned in a low flame.

The combustor 913875 could be damaged by burning foreign materials like trash, paper logs, treated or painted wood. The burning of these substances can cause "masking" that covers the cells of the combustor with a substance that prevents it from functioning in the way it was intended. Masking can be caused by closing the bypass damper too soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cell isn't regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote, it can cause smoke spillage.

The combustor, when properly operated and placed properly, will give years of efficient operation. It will require very 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 that can be opened to start an ignition and shut to load the stove. Check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which will indicate the combustor is operating within its optimal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor could be reduced if you open the bypass damper too early. If you close the bypass damper too early will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor, and could damage it. Consult your stove's manual for instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also contact our customer service department should you need assistance.

Control of Airflow

Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary secondary, tertiary and primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each air system plays a distinct role in the combustion process.

The air control that is located below or inside the door of your stove, controls quantity of air allowed to enter the firebox. More air will burn the fire more quickly, but it can also increase the chance of creosote and chimney smoke. When lighting your wood stove, the main air control should be open wide and for a short time.

After your fire has built up enough heat, the primary air control can be closed down gradually until you are satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. The stove or chimney should not emit any smoke since this could indicate inefficient combustion.

Secondary airflow controls are utilized to inject oxygen into the stove's top, usually as air jets placed above your fire. This is the most important aspect of managing your fire. Without it the fire will burn too quickly and will produce large quantities of smoke.

The secondary airflow, the final stage in your stove's airflow systems is fed to the updraft or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, allowing your fire to perform optimally.

It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn wood for fire only. Other types of combustibles do not be able to burn in your wood stove, resulting in high levels of emissions, and even chimney fires. The most efficient type of combustion fuel is well-seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at minimum six months, but softwood is equally effective. Avoid using cardboard and paper as they can emit toxic fumes or cause creosote and ash to build up in your stove. Avoid placing logs or other combustibles in the vicinity of your stove as they may explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an affordable alternative to heating particularly if you reside in an area that experiences frequent power outages. They can be hazardous if used incorrectly. They can result in harmful chemical substances that could harm your health. They can also create an ignition risk and result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following some basic safety precautions.

Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood in your wood-burning stove. Never make use of gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter fluid wrapping paper, or any other flammable substances to start or rekindle fire. Never burn treated wood painted wood, wet wood. Keep the flue open to let plenty of oxygen in. Always add wood in small pieces and do not let the fire smolder. If you live in a smoke-control room do not use an indoor fire.

Make sure that your stove and chimney are properly installed. A poorly installed wood stove could cause a fire to the chimney, which can release harmful gases into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is essential. Make sure the chimney flue is not able to leak, as this can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's a good idea store your wood in a shed or 913875 the tarp. This will allow the wood to season and dry more quickly. To reduce the risk of fire, you should keep the wood away from other heat sources. It's recommended to set your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as tiles on the floor.

If you have children ensure that you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They might try to touch the flame or play with the hot ash, which can be dangerous. You should also keep all flammable items at least three feet from the stove. You should also think about installing an air shield to protect surfaces and walls from damage. You should also encourage your family members to practice fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. Take a look at our article on ways to escape from fire to keep your home secure.