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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. However, some of these devices emit harmful gases such as creosote that can be dangerous to health and property. A proper care for these stoves is vital. Some of the most important points to consider include making sure the room isn't overheated making a mess of the fire and using correctly dried firewood that is properly dried. Fuel Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types, including dry wood and manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These alternative fuels that burn cleanly are more environmentally friendly than traditional household coal and wet wood, so are more eco-friendly and safer to use. They still emit some harmful smoke and gases, and require regular maintenance to function at their peak. Make sure you read the manufacturer's guidelines prior to purchasing or using any type of fuel. Be sure that it's the right fuel for your stove. Unsuitable fuel can damage your chimney and stove and cause costly repairs or invalidating the warranty. Utilizing a fuel that has not been approved may also be unlawful, particularly in smoke control areas. Look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo, which confirms that the fuel meets the smoke emission and sulphur limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is often displayed alongside the details of the price and brand or on the packaging. The appropriate fuels are prepared (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to decrease the amount of moisture which boosts heat output and efficiency in combustion. The kind of wood you choose should also meet your heating requirements. Softwoods like spruce and pine offer good value heat, but hardwoods such as beech and oak generate greater quantities of hot embers over longer periods. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple not only provide efficient heating but also enhance the ambience with their pleasant aromas. If you own a stove that uses different fuels, you might think about a mixed-fuel fire. Combining Smokeless Briquettes with wood will allow the flame to last longer, and will keep your home warm. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and can help to prevent a chimney fire by keeping the air moving. A stove that is maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while producing fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or oil-fired wood stove, ensure that it is fitted by an approved installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A well-maintained appliance will be more economical to run and will safeguard your health and the environment by reducing harmful emissions. Design The design of wood stoves is an important consideration for those considering them as a primary or secondary heating source. Unwanted byproducts of combustion, like carbon monoxide and smoke, pose a risk to environmental and health impacts. The most important factor in reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and a careful design. Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All stoves certified by the EPA meet strict emissions and energy efficiency guidelines that optimize the amount of heat they generate. You can determine whether a wood stove is certified by looking for the metal EPA label on the back of the stove or by checking the EPA database. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance characteristics of their inventory is also a great way to learn more about wood stoves and what size and capacity is best for your space. One of the main components of EPA emission regulations is controlling the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is surrounded by fireproof walls, and there are air vents within these walls to allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is vital to ensure that combustion is at its best and emissions are reduced. Modern stoves often have baffles that increase the time the fire burns which reduces the amount fumes and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use a catalytic converter to reduce NOx emissions. This type of system is more expensive and is usually only found in top-end wood stoves. Stoves also use different types of air control systems to regulate air flow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves still employ a basic passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove in order to achieve peak performance. Some wood stoves have active air sources that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when necessary. Wood stoves are an excellent alternative to heating homes in remote areas or those without access to the electric grid. If you don't have a backup heating source in case of an outage, or if there is an imminent snow storm, the wood stove isn't your only option to warm your home. The output of heat A lot of wood stoves advertise a peak heat output rate in BTUs. This is not true, however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is contingent on a variety of variables such as the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated. Climate also has an impact on the heating requirements. Regions that are colder require stoves with greater BTU rating to ensure the comfort. The type of wood used and the frequency at which you replenish your fireplace are other factors that influence heat production. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. The stove fan also helps to circulate the warmth produced by the wood burner into the room, rather than having the hot air rise. It is essential to keep in mind that the maximum power of a wood heating stove is not to be reached frequently, as a continuous high-fire can damage the stove's internals and cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home. Regular refueling can improve the efficiency of the fireplace. Make sure the log isn't too large and placed on the glowing embers to ensure that it doesn't contact the glass or walls of the stove. It's also best to add smaller logs frequently rather than allowing too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce a greater amount of heat output from the same amount of fuel by supplying pre-heated combustion air, as well as other design features. They typically produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than earlier models. A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat produced by a wood-burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or hot water tank. This lets the heat be distributed throughout the house. This is a reliable and cost-effective method to heat a home. However modern wood burner could take quite a long time. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy needed to run back boilers can raise the operating costs of wood stoves. Safety Fireplaces and wood stoves are a beautiful and efficient method of heating homes. However, they're not without risk. Sparks and embers can spout out of a flame and ignite furniture or carpeting A hot chimney can lead to damage to the structure of your house. The proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove reduces these dangers. Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney for signs of wear and rust, and having them cleaned at least once a year. The chimney should be checked for creosote half-way through the season. This is highly flammable and could cause a fire in the chimney. When purchasing a fireplace with wood burning make sure you choose one that has been endorsed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will ensure that the stove has been constructed to comply with federal safety standards and is designed to allow proper venting. You should also inspect the hinges, legs and grates on a stove to make sure they are in good working order and securely attached to the floor. If you choose to install a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure the floor underneath it is sturdy and made of non-combustible materials. You can also lay tiles that are not combustible over the flooring you have in place in the event that it is fire-proof. Only burn wood that is dry and well-seasoned. Wood that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build within your chimney, releasing toxic chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles, as these can cause dangerous fumes and not even burn. Do not “over-fire” your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames to escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage the stove, chimney connector, and chimney itself. It could also ignite other combustible materials within your home. It is also crucial to ensure that the fire is completely snuffed out before leaving your cabin or going to bed. Finally, you should always have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.