Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove

A shed wood burner stove is a great method to warm your home and it can also heat the entire house. Some of these devices emit harmful gasses, such as creosote, which is dangerous to the health of your family and your property.

It is crucial to maintain these stoves. A few important factors to keep in mind include making sure the room isn't overheated making a mess of the fire, and using appropriately dried firewood.

Fuel

Wood stoves burn a range of fuel types which include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels like briquettes and fire logs. These alternative fuels that burn cleanly are less prone to pollution than traditional household coal and wet wood, therefore they are better for the environment and healthier to use. They still emit harmful gases and smoke, and require regular maintenance to function at their peak.

Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to buying or using any kind of fuel. Be sure that it's the correct fuel for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your stove and chimney and cause costly repairs or voiding the warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may also be unlawful, particularly in areas with smoke control. Look for the 'Ready To Burn logo, which demonstrates that the fuel meets the smoke emission and sulphur limits, and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed alongside the details of the price and brand or on the packaging.

Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content which improves heat output and efficiency in combustion. The type of wood you select must also be suited to your heating requirements. Softwoods like pine and spruce provide an excellent value for money however hardwoods such as oak and beech generate more hot embers, and they do so over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry can be used not only to heat your home but also provide a pleasant scent.

If you have an appliance that runs on different fuels, you might be interested in a mixed fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes will aid in keeping the flames going for longer and help keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great backup and can also keep a chimney from burning by ensuring that the air is flowing.

A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while releasing fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure it is installed by an approved installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). Regularly serviced appliances are more efficient and protect the environment and your health by preventing harmful emission.

Design

Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is something to consider. Unwanted byproducts from combustion, like smoke and carbon monoxide, can be harmful to environmental and health impacts. Proper operation and a well-designed design are key factors in minimizing these emissions.

Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally friendly than older models. All EPA certified stoves must meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for an iron EPA certification mark on the back of the stove or check out the EPA's current database to determine whether a particular stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area can also be a great resource for learning more about wood stoves, such as the size and capacity that is best for your space.

Controlling air flow through the stove is an essential part of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is surrounded by walls of fireproof materials, and air vents are placed within the walls to allow controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is efficient and that emissions are reduced.

Modern stoves often have a baffle that increases the time to burn the fire, which lowers the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves include a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This type of system is a little more expensive and is generally only found in top-end wood stoves.

Stoves also employ different kinds of air control systems to regulate the air flow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves utilize a passive air supply which requires the owner (you) to operate the stove properly to ensure maximum performance. Some wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when necessary.

One of the biggest advantages of wood stoves is that it doesn't require electricity to run, which makes it a great alternative for heating homes that are located in remote areas or aren't connected to an electric grid. If you do not have a backup heating source in the event of an outage or snow, then a wood stove shouldn't be the only option to heat your home.

The output of heat

A lot of wood stoves are advertised with the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading because the actual output of a wood-burning fireplace is contingent on a variety of factors including the dimensions of the room and the degree of insulation it has.

The climate of the region is also a factor in the heating requirements. To keep warm the colder regions require stoves that have higher BTU ratings.

Other variables that affect the production of heat include the type of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood generates more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. The use of a stove fan also assists in move the heat generated by the very small wood burning stove burner into the room instead of having the hot air rise.

It is important to remember that the maximum output of a wood heater stove should not be reached frequently since continuous high fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and can cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home.

The performance of a stove could be enhanced by regular fueling. Make sure that the log isn't too big and that it is placed on the embers that are glowing, so it does not touch the glass or the walls of the stove. It's also recommended to add smaller logs more often, rather than leaving too much time between additions.

High efficiency stoves are engineered to achieve a higher level of heat output from the same amount of fuel, by providing prewarmed combustion air and other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than the older models.

Some people also opt to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat generated by a wood-burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or a hot water tank. This lets the heat be distributed throughout the home. This is a more efficient and cost effective way of heating a home even though the installation process is quite lengthy. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy needed to run the boiler will add to the overall cost.

Safety

Fireplaces and wood stoves can be a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they aren't free of dangers. Sparks and embers could fly out of a flame and ignite furniture or carpeting and a hot chimney can lead to destruction to the structure of your house. The dangers can be reduced by maintaining and using an open fireplace that burns cheap wood burning stoves.

Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney for signs of rust and wear, and cleaning them at least once a year. The chimney should also be examined every season for creosote buildup. This is highly flammable and can cause chimney fires.

When buying a stove for wood burning, look for one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab that is recognized as a testing lab. This guarantees that the stove complies with federal safety standards and is designed to ventilate properly. Check the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good condition and securely secured to the floor of the stove.

If you choose to install a outside wood burners stove in your cabin, make sure that the floor beneath it is insulated and non-combustible. You may also want to lay a sheet of non-combustible floor tiles on top of the existing flooring, especially when you live in an old mobile home with combustible floors.

Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood produces excessive smoke and creosote, which is a flammable byproduct, which 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 as they can create dangerous fumes and may not burn completely.

Do not "over fire" your wood stove -that is, to you should not create a bigger fire than the stove is able to handle. Over-fired stoves can result in flames leaving the combustion chamber and cause damage to the stove, chimney connector and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible material in your home. It is also essential to ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out before leaving your cabin or going to sleep. Also, you must have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.