How a Wood Burning Stove Works

Wood burning stoves can be stunning additions to any home. However it is important to use them only with properly seasoned wood.

Older stoves without secondary combustion let air in over and below the fuel. This resulted in energy loss, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.

Modern wood stoves use superior combustion principles that separates air supply into two stages. This results in greater efficiency in heating and lower emissions.

Efficient Combustion

The efficiency of your wood stove is a measure of how effectively your wood is converted into heat. It differs from the efficiency of heating transfer, which is the amount of heat that is transferred from your stove to a room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency in combustion and heating efficiency will require less fuel and generate less waste such as steam and carbon monoxide.

Modern wood stoves usually have high efficiency in combustion, as they have sophisticated design features which allow them to maximize the burning and use less wood. They also tend to have low emissions particularly with EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor that cleans exhaust gases when they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are the perfect choice for 5829186 homeowners seeking to lessen their impact on the environment, while enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove.

A proper operation and maintenance routine will improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important aspect is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This is achieved by ensuring a steady fire in the stove by frequent additions of small pieces of wood regularly. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.

A wood stove's efficiency is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned wood with a moisture content under 20 percent. Dry and seasoned firewood will not only produce more heat from the same fuel, but will also produce less smoke and air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove may emit within an hour. To comply with the EPA guidelines, the majority of modern wood stoves use secondary combustion or a catalytic combustor to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollutants they emit. To find an appliance that is compliant with the EPA emission standards, choose one that has an EPA certification label and a smoke emission rate of less than 4 grams per hour.

Catalytic Combustion

Catalytic woodstoves use the honeycomb combustor, which is made of ceramic and is coated with noble metals, 5829186 (https://Www.5829186.Xyz) such as platin or palladium. The combustor operates in like the catalyst in your car to clean the exhaust. The noble metals contained in the combustor react to particulates and chemicals in the smoke and break them into harmless products like water and carbon dioxide.

This enables the stove to have lower emissions and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models without loss of the heat output or efficiency. The combustor operates most efficiently when the temperature of the gas in the flue is 1000degF or more. If the fire is burnt in a low flame the gases inside the stove aren't able to reach this temperature, and the combustor isn't functioning properly.

Burning foreign materials, such as paper logs, treated or www.5829186.Xyz painted wood, can damage the combustor. The burning of these materials could cause "masking" that covers the cells of the combustor with a substance which prevents it from functioning in the way it was intended. Masking may also result from closing the bypass damper too shortly or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells are not regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote it could result in smoke spillage.

When properly installed and operated, will provide years of reliable operation. It requires very little maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot off its surface after a long burn and dusting it frequently with a soft dry bristled brush.

The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper that is opened to ignite the fire, and then closed when you're ready to load your stove. Check the bypass damper for the "operate catalyst" indicator which shows when your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. Doing this too quickly will reduce the operating range of the combustor. 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. Refer to the manual for your stove's instructions on how to operate the damper. You can also reach our customer service department should you require assistance.

Airflow Controls

The air flow controls in your wood stove are essential to ensuring that the fire burns properly and safely. The primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each plays a distinct function in the process of combustion.

The main air control is located below or 5829186.xyz inside the stove's door. It regulates the amount of air that enters the firebox. More air can burn the fire more quickly however it could increase the possibility of chimney smoke and creosote. When lighting your wood stove, the primary air control should be opened wide and for a short period of time.

Once you have attained the desired level of heat, you can slowly close the primary air control until the desired temperature is reached. It is crucial to make sure that no smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove since this could indicate poor combustion.

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

Tertiary airflow is the final stage of the airflow system of your stove and is fed into the updraft section or chimney. This creates a strong draft within the flue and allows your stove to operate at its peak efficiency.

It is important to note that the wood stove you have was designed and optimised for burning wood for fire only. Any other combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove, and may result in high levels of emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice however, seasoned hardwood needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using combustibles made from paper and cardboard, as they can produce toxic fumes as well as buildups of ash or creosote within your stove. It is also a good idea to not place wood or other combustibles over top of your fire because this could cause the fire to explode.

Safety

Wood-burning stoves are an excellent alternative to electricity, particularly if your area is prone to frequent power outages. However, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. They can create harmful chemical substances that can be harmful to your health. They can also create a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You can reduce the risk by implementing a few basic safety measures.

Make sure to use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or rekindle fires. Never burn treated or painted wood. Keep the flue open to let in plenty of oxygen. Always add wood in small pieces and don't let the fire burn out. If you are in a smoke-control room don't set up an indoor fire.

Make sure that your chimney and stove are properly installed. Poorly installed wood stoves could cause a fire to the chimney, which could release harmful gases into your home. It is also crucial to have the chimney swept and inspected on a regular basis. Make sure that the flue is not leaking, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Place your wood in a shed, or under a sheet of tarp. This can help the wood to season and dry quicker. It is also important to keep the firewood from other sources of heat to decrease fire risks. You should also put your stove on an inflammable surface like a tiled floor.

You must be sure to supervise your children around the stove if you have young children. They may try to play with the ash that is hot or touch the fire which could be dangerous. Also, keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. You should also encourage your family to participate in fire drills at home. This will help you escape your home in the case of an emergency. Read our article on fire escape routes to ensure your home safe.