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Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a warm and cozy space to warm up and also warm a whole house. However, certain appliances release harmful gases, such as creosote that could be harmful to your health and property. It is essential to maintain these stoves. A few important factors to be aware of include: avoiding overheating the room, not messing with the fire and using correctly dried firewood that is properly dried. Fuel Wood stoves can burn a variety fuels that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes or fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they release gasses and smoke, and require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best. Before you purchase or use any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. Unsuitable fuels can damage your stove or chimney, leading to expensive repairs and voiding your warranty. The use of a fuel that is not approved could also be illegal, particularly in smoke control areas. Look for the 'Ready To Burn logo, which indicates that the fuel is in compliance with the smoke emission and sulphur limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is typically displayed on the packaging or alongside the name of the brand and its price. Suitable fuels are prepared (stored and split for several months before use) or kiln dried to reduce the amount of moisture which improves heat output and efficiency in combustion. The type of wood you select must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce provide excellent value for money, but hardwoods like oak and beech produce more hot embers and operate for a longer time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry not only provide efficient heating but also improve the ambience of your home with their pleasant aromas. If you own a stove that uses multiple fuels, you might be interested in a mixed fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes can allow the flame to last longer, and will keep your home warm. Briquettes are a great alternative and can stop a chimney fire by ensuring that the air is moving. A well-maintained stove will generate more heat, burn less fuel and generate fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, make sure it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A regularly serviced appliance will be more economical to run and will protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions. Design The design of wood stoves is a crucial factor to be considered when evaluating them as a primary or secondary source of heat. The unwelcome byproducts of combustion, such as smoke and carbon monoxide, can be harmful to the environment and health. The most important factor in reducing the emission of these gases is to ensure proper operation and a careful design. Modern wood stoves are much more environmentally green than older models. All EPA-certified stoves meet strict emissions and energy efficiency guidelines that maximize the quantity of heat they generate. Look for a metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove or check out the EPA's current database to see the stove is certified. Visit local hearth product retailers who know the performance of their inventory is also an excellent way to find out more about wood stoves and which size and capacity is the best fit for your home. Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a key aspect of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is surrounded by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents inside these walls to allow for controlled airflow. The airflow control is necessary to ensure that the combustion process is optimal and that the emissions are minimized. Many modern stoves use a baffle to increase the combustion time of the fire, which reduces smoke output and harmful gases. Some wood stoves use catalyst converters to decrease NOx emissions. This method is more expensive and used only in high-end wood burning stoves. Stoves also employ cheap wood burner of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves utilize the basic passive air supply, which requires that the owner (you), operate the stove properly to ensure the best performance. Some stoves feature active air sources that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when required. One of the most significant advantages of wood stoves is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, which makes it an excellent alternative to heating homes that are isolated or do not have access to an electric grid. However, if you do not have a backup heat source to rely on during a power outage or in case of snow storms, a wood stove should not be the only option for warming your home. The output of heat A lot of wood stoves are advertised as having an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is a mistake because the actual output of a wood-burning stove depends on many factors including the size of the room and how well insulated it is. The climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. The colder regions require stoves with a a higher BTU rating to ensure comfort. Other variables that affect heat production include the type of wood used as well as the frequency of refueling. Dry, seasoned firewood generates more heat than fresh cut and wet logs. A stove fan can help circulate the heat produced by the wood burner in the room, rather than having the hot air rise. It is essential to keep in mind that the maximum output of a wood heating stove is not to be reached frequently, as a continuous high-fire can damage the stove's internals and lead to carbon monoxide leakage into the home. Regular refueling can improve the efficiency of an fireplace. Make sure the log isn't too big and placed on the embers that are glowing so that it doesn't touch the glass or the walls of the stove. Add smaller logs more frequently instead of taking too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce a higher heat output with the same amount of fuel. This is achieved by prewarming combustion air, and employing other design features. They typically produce less smoke, toxins and carbon monoxide than previous models. you can find out more choose to install the boiler stove as element 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 reliable and cost-effective method of heating the home. However the installation process could take quite a long time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy required to run the boiler can increase the overall cost. Safety Wood stoves and fireplaces are attractive and a convenient way to heat a home. However, they are not without their risks. A fire can cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. The dangers can be reduced by using and maintaining an open fireplace that burns wood. To ensure that wood-burning stoves are safe and in good shape, they should be regularly checked and maintained. This includes checking the chimney and flue for signs of rust and wear and having them cleaned at least twice per year. The chimney should be inspected for creosote at the end of each season. This is highly flammable, and can cause a fire in the chimney. When you are buying a fireplace that burns wood select one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized testing laboratory. This will ensure that the stove is constructed to meet federal safety standards, and is designed for proper venting. Check the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good condition and securely fastened to a stove's floor. If you decide to install a wood-burning stove in your cabin, make sure the floor beneath it is a sturdy and constructed from non-combustible material. You can also install tiles that are not combustible over the flooring you have in place if it is combustible. Only burn hardwoods that are seasoned and dry. Wet and green woods produces excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build in your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Avoid burning cardboard, trash, paper, or any other combustibles as these can cause dangerous fumes, and could not even burn. Do not “over-fire” your wood stove, i.e. create a bigger fire than the stove can handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector and the chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials in your home. Make sure the fire has been completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to sleep. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be functioning at all times.