How a Wood Burning Stove Works
Wood burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. They should only be used with wood that has been properly seasoned.
Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion let air in between and above the fuel, resulting in the loss of energy, chimney tarring, and atmospheric pollution.
Modern wood stoves employ superior combustion principles that splits air supply into two stages. This lets them improve the efficiency of heating while generating less emissions.
Efficient Combustion
The efficiency of combustion in the wood stove is an indication of how well your wood is transformed into heat. It is distinct from the efficiency of heating transfer which is the amount of heat that is transferred from your stove into the room. A wood burning stove that has high combustion and heating transfer efficiencies will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, like carbon monoxide, ash and steam.
Modern wood stoves have high combustion efficiency due to their modern design. They maximize the burn while using less wood. These stoves also tend to emit low levels of emissions, particularly EPA-certified stoves that require a catalytic combustion combustor to clean exhaust gases as they leave the stove. These cleaner stoves are an ideal choice for homeowners who want to reduce their impact on the environment while still enjoying the warmth of wood stoves.
Increasing the efficiency of your wood stove is a matter of proper operation and maintenance. The most important thing is to ensure the combustion process is controlled. This can be achieved by ensuring a steady fire in the stove by regular additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote in the chimney, which could make the stove less efficient.
Another crucial aspect in the effectiveness of wood stoves is to use properly dried, seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent. Dry and seasoned wood will not only provide more heat for the same fuel however, it will emit less air pollution and produce less smoke.
The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that restrict the amount of smoke and other pollutants a new stove can emit within an hour. The majority of modern wood stoves rely upon a secondary combustion or catalytic combustor, to reduce emissions and comply with EPA guidelines. If you want to find an wood-burning stove that is in compliance with EPA emission standards, then search for one that has an EPA certification sticker. It should also have a smoke emission rate below 4 grams per hr.
Catalytic Combustion
Catalytic wood stoves use honeycombed combustor made of ceramic coated with noble metals like platinum or palladium. The combustor functions in similar to what your catalyst in your car works to clean your exhaust. When smoke is pushed through the combustor at high temperatures, the noble metals react with the particulates and chemicals in the smoke to break them down into harmless products like carbon dioxide and water.
This lets the stove burn cleaner and produce less emissions than non-catalytic models without losing efficiency or heat output. The combustor operates most efficiently when the gas temperature in the flue is 1000degF or greater. The combustor will not perform as efficiently if the fire is burned in a low-flame.
Burning foreign materials, like paper logs, painted or treated wood, may damage the combustor. The burning of these substances can cause "masking", which covers the combustor's cells with an ingredient, which prevents it from performing effectively. The cause of this is closing the bypass damper too fast or by refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cells have not been cleaned regularly of creosote, fly-ash and 913875;
913875.xyz, tar, a plugging could occur, causing smoke spillage.
When properly installed and operated properly, will give years of efficient operation. It will require little maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot on its surface after a long burn and regularly dusting it with a dry, soft bristled brush.
The combustor is equipped with a bypass damper that can be open to start the fire, and then closed to refill the stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the "operate catalyst" indicator, which indicates that your combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. Opening the bypass damper too soon will decrease the operating range of the combustor. If you close the bypass damper too quickly will decrease the temperature at which the inlet is pumped to the combustor and could cause damage to it. If you're not sure how to operate the bypass damper, consult the instruction manual for your stove or contact our customer service department for assistance.
Airflow Controls
Air flow controls are essential to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary secondary,
913875.xyz tertiary and primary air systems work together to allow your fire to burn efficiently. Each one plays a different part in the combustion process.
The air control that is situated either below or within your stove's door controls the amount of air that is allowed to enter the firebox. More air will ignite the fire faster however it could increase the possibility of smoke and creosote. Ideally, the air control should be opened wide for a short period when lighting your wood stove.
Once the fire has developed enough heat, the main air control can be closed down slowly until you're satisfied with the amount of heat being produced. It is important to ensure that no smoke is emitted from the chimney or stove since it is a sign of an inefficient combustion.
Secondary airflow controls are utilized to supply oxygen to the stove's top, usually as air jets that are placed over your fire. This is the most crucial aspect of controlling your flame. Your fire will be burning too fast and produce excessive amounts of 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 inside the flue, which allows your fire to function optimally.
It is important to note that your wood stove was built and optimized to burn firewood only. Any other combustion fuel will not be able to burn in your wood stove and can result in high levels emissions and possibly chimney fires. The most efficient type of fuel to use is seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months, although softwood is equally effective. Avoid using cardboard and paper since they could release toxic fumes or cause ash and creosote to build within your stove. It is also recommended to not place firewood or other combustibles on top of your fire, as this can cause the fire to explode.
Safety
Wood burning stoves can be a great alternative to electricity, especially in areas that are prone to frequent power outages. However, they can be dangerous if used improperly. They can produce harmful chemical substances that could be harmful to your health. They can also create a fire hazard and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can minimize these risks by following some simple safety precautions.
Make sure to use only dry, clean firewood for your wood-burning stove. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter fluid to start or ignite fires. Never burn treated wood painted wood, wet wood. Keep the flue open to let in plenty of oxygen. In small amounts, add wood and don't let the fire smolder. If you are in a smoke-control area, never make use of an indoor fire.
Check that your stove and chimney are installed correctly.
