15 Unexpected Facts About Wood Burning Stove That You Never Knew
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작성일 2024-09-21
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How a Wood Burning Stove Works
Wood-burning stoves can be an excellent addition to any home. They are best made use of properly seasoned wood.
Older stoves that didn't use secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel, causing energy loss and pollution.
Modern wood stoves use superior combustion methods that splits the air supply into two phases. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing less emissions.
Efficient Combustion
The efficiency of combustion in a wood stove is an indication of how well your wood is turned into heat. It is distinct from the efficiency of heating transfer which is the amount of heat that gets from your stove into the room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, like carbon monoxide, ash and steam.
Modern wood stoves boast high efficiency in combustion, due to their advanced design. They maximize the burn by using less wood. They also tend to have lower emissions particularly when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor that cleans emissions as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a great option for homeowners who wish to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.
The improvement of the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important thing is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood regularly and maintaining a steady burning stove. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can make the stove less efficient.
A wood stove's efficiency is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned firewood that has a moisture content under 20%. Dry, 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 established guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances that an appliance can release in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to minimize emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. If you want to find an wood-burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission level lower than 4 grams per hour.
Catalytic Combustion
Catalytic wood stoves utilize honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor works much like the catalyst in your car works to clean your exhaust. The noble metals found 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 emit less carbon dioxide and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models, but without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is the most efficient when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000 degF. When the fire is lit at a low temperature the gases in the stove do not attain this temperature and the combustor isn't functioning properly.
Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials can result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance that stops it from performing as intended. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and 5829186.xyz tar build up, plugging could occur, www.5829186.xyz causing smoke spillage.
Properly operated and positioned the combustor can provide years of reliable performance. It requires very little maintenance, aside from cleaning off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it regularly with a soft, dry bristled brush.
The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper which is open to begin the fire, and 5829186.xyz then closed when you're ready to load your stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be reduced if you open the bypass damper too soon. If you close the bypass damper too quickly 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 effectively. Each plays a distinct part in the combustion process.
The primary air control, located below or inside the door of your stove, controls the amount of air allowed to enter the firebox. More air can burn the fire faster, but it can increase the possibility of smoke and creosote. The ideal is that the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.
When your fire has built up enough heat, the primary air control can be closed down slowly until you're satisfied with the amount of heat being generated. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke, as this indicates the combustion is not efficient.
Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen to the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned over your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of managing your fire. Without it your fire will be burning too quickly and will produce excessive amounts of smoke.
The secondary airflow, which is the final stage in your stove's airflow systems, is fed into the chimney or updraft. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to function at its best.
It is crucial to remember that your wood stove was designed and optimised for burning wood for fire only. Other combustibles may not be able to burn in your wood stove, leading to high levels of emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also suitable, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using cardboard and paper because they release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. It is important to not place logs or other combustibles on the top of your fire, as this can cause them to explode.
Safety
Wood burning stoves can provide a cost-effective alternative heat source particularly if you live in a location that has frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemical substances that could harm your health. They can also cause dangers to fire and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following simple safety precautions.
Use only dry, clean firewood in your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or rekindle fires. Never burn treated wood, 5829186.xyz painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen into. In small amounts, add wood and make sure you don't let the fire go out of control. Never use an indoor fireplace if you're in a smoke control area.
Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can cause a fire in the chimney, which could release harmful gases into your home. It is also important to sweep the chimney and inspected regularly. Ensure that the flue isn't flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Store your wood in a shed, or under a cover. This can allow the wood get more seasoned and dry more quickly. It is also recommended to keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to minimize the risk of fire. It is also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as tiles.
If you have children who are young make sure you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They may try to play with the ash hot or touch the fire, which is dangerous. In addition, it is recommended to keep all items that are flammable at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. It's also an excellent idea to have your family practice fire drills at home. This will help you to escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe read our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.
Wood-burning stoves can be an excellent addition to any home. They are best made use of properly seasoned wood.
Older stoves that didn't use secondary combustion allowed air to enter the chimney, and burn above and below the fuel, causing energy loss and pollution.
Modern wood stoves use superior combustion methods that splits the air supply into two phases. This lets them increase the efficiency of their heating systems while also producing less emissions.
Efficient Combustion
The efficiency of combustion in a wood stove is an indication of how well your wood is turned into heat. It is distinct from the efficiency of heating transfer which is the amount of heat that gets from your stove into the room. A wood burning stove with high efficiency of combustion and heat transfer will use less fuel and produce less waste, like carbon monoxide, ash and steam.
Modern wood stoves boast high efficiency in combustion, due to their advanced design. They maximize the burn by using less wood. They also tend to have lower emissions particularly when using EPA certified stoves which require a catalytic combustor that cleans emissions as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are a great option for homeowners who wish to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.
The improvement of the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important thing is to control the process of combustion. This is accomplished by adding small pieces of wood regularly and maintaining a steady burning stove. This will stop the accumulation of flammable creosote within the chimney, which can make the stove less efficient.
A wood stove's efficiency is also affected by the use of dried and seasoned firewood that has a moisture content under 20%. Dry, 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 established guidelines to limit the amount of smoke and other harmful substances that an appliance can release in an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to minimize emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. If you want to find an wood-burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, then look for one with an EPA certification sticker. It must also have a smoke emission level lower than 4 grams per hour.
Catalytic Combustion
Catalytic wood stoves utilize honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor works much like the catalyst in your car works to clean your exhaust. The noble metals found 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 emit less carbon dioxide and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models, but without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor is the most efficient when the flue gas temperature is at or above 1,000 degF. When the fire is lit at a low temperature the gases in the stove do not attain this temperature and the combustor isn't functioning properly.
Burning foreign substances, such as paper logs, painted or treated wood, can cause damage to the combustor. The burning of these materials can result in "masking" which blankets the combustor cells with a substance that stops it from performing as intended. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too soon or refueling with wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and 5829186.xyz tar build up, plugging could occur, www.5829186.xyz causing smoke spillage.
Properly operated and positioned the combustor can provide years of reliable performance. It requires very little maintenance, aside from cleaning off the soot from its surface after a prolonged burn and dusting it regularly with a soft, dry bristled brush.
The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper which is open to begin the fire, and 5829186.xyz then closed when you're ready to load your stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates the combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor will be reduced if you open the bypass damper too soon. If you close the bypass damper too quickly 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 effectively. Each plays a distinct part in the combustion process.
The primary air control, located below or inside the door of your stove, controls the amount of air allowed to enter the firebox. More air can burn the fire faster, but it can increase the possibility of smoke and creosote. The ideal is that the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.
When your fire has built up enough heat, the primary air control can be closed down slowly until you're satisfied with the amount of heat being generated. The chimney or stove should not emit any smoke, as this indicates the combustion is not efficient.
Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen to the top of your stove, typically in the form of air jets positioned over your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of managing your fire. Without it your fire will be burning too quickly and will produce excessive amounts of smoke.
The secondary airflow, which is the final stage in your stove's airflow systems, is fed into the chimney or updraft. This creates a strong draft in the flue, which allows your fire to function at its best.
It is crucial to remember that your wood stove was designed and optimised for burning wood for fire only. Other combustibles may not be able to burn in your wood stove, leading to high levels of emissions, and even chimney fires. Softwood is also suitable, but seasoned hardwood has to be dried for at least six months. Avoid using cardboard and paper because they release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build up in your stove. It is important to not place logs or other combustibles on the top of your fire, as this can cause them to explode.
Safety
Wood burning stoves can provide a cost-effective alternative heat source particularly if you live in a location that has frequent power outages. They can be dangerous when used incorrectly. They can produce harmful chemical substances that could harm your health. They can also cause dangers to fire and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can avoid these risks by following simple safety precautions.
Use only dry, clean firewood in your stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or rekindle fires. Never burn treated wood, 5829186.xyz painted wood or wet wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen into. In small amounts, add wood and make sure you don't let the fire go out of control. Never use an indoor fireplace if you're in a smoke control area.
Make sure your chimney and stove are properly installed. Wood stoves that are not properly installed can cause a fire in the chimney, which could release harmful gases into your home. It is also important to sweep the chimney and inspected regularly. Ensure that the flue isn't flowing, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Store your wood in a shed, or under a cover. This can allow the wood get more seasoned and dry more quickly. It is also recommended to keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to minimize the risk of fire. It is also a good idea to place your stove on a non-flammable surface, such as tiles.
If you have children who are young make sure you be sure to supervise them around the stove. They may try to play with the ash hot or touch the fire, which is dangerous. In addition, it is recommended to keep all items that are flammable at least three feet from the stove. Consider installing a heat shield to shield walls and surfaces from damage. It's also an excellent idea to have your family practice fire drills at home. This will help you to escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more information on how to keep your home safe read our article on escape routes to a fire in the event of a house fire.
