The Not So Well-Known Benefits Of Woodburning Stove
How to Properly Operate a Woodburning Stove
Wood stoves can be an inexpensive and cozy way to heat the home. However, the smoke they produce can also be harmful to your health. It is important to know how these appliances operate and to use them correctly.
Many modern stoves rely upon secondary combustion or catalytic to limit their emissions. But older stoves and open fires generate large amounts of particulates.
The firebox
The firebox is the heart of any fireplace system. It's where you create a fire to heat your home and provide ambiance. It's a simple concept, but there are many important details that must be accounted for to keep your wood burning stove safe and efficient.
The firebox can be considered a combustion chamber that has walls and lid. Most fireplaces have a prefabricated metal or the masonry firebox. The type of box you choose will depend on your preferences as well as the type of fireplace you have.
Most wood-burning stoves use the constant flow of air to produce the fire and burn the fuel. Fresh air is introduced into the stove via dampers that can be adjusted within the doors. This lets the fuels burn properly, and reduces toxic gases produced by incomplete or unburnt burning. The exhaust gases are then taken up by the chimney, and safely out of your home.
Modern stoves that have catalytic second combustion employ a special catalyst to reburn unburnt gases to generate additional warmth. This results in a much more clean and less polluting exhaust than traditional wood stoves with no secondary combustion. Modern non-catalytic stoves are available, but they're generally less efficient than stoves with secondary combustion catalytically.
Some wood-burning stoves have backboilers that can be used to heat water in addition to space heating. These are referred to as "combination" or "hybrid" stoves and have been in use since the beginning of the 20th century.
Wood burning stoves should be burned with seasoned wood. Freshly cut (green) wood has a high moisture content that can lead to low flue temperatures and a lot of creosote build-up in the chimney. This can lead to chimney fires that cause damage to the stove, and they could be harmful to your family's health.
If you're looking for a professional to inspect your wood-burning stove, or make any firebox repairs, make sure the chimney specialist you choose is CSIA certified and provides reviews from their customers on their website. It is also essential to inquire about their prices and the is the type of work they can do.
The ventilation pipe
Wood stoves require ventilation in order to remove fumes from combustion and help keep the home warm and healthy. Venting helps eliminate carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and excess moisture from the process of combustion. It also helps to reduce the amount of air pollution and heat loss to the outdoor. Gas, wood and pellet stoves have different requirements for venting. Maintaining the stove's ventilation system annually is critical for safety and efficiency.
The ventilation system consists of the firebox and the vent pipe. The chimney and the pipe work together to create a draft that draws smoke from the stove through the fireplace. Draft is caused through the difference in density and temperature between hot wood smoke and cold outside air. The more hot the temperature, the more smoke will rise through the vent pipe and chimney.
Modern cheap Wood Burners stoves are certified as low-emission models by the EPA. This means that they emit less pollutants than older models, and contribute to global warming and other environmental concerns. Most modern stoves have built-in pollution control systems to limit the amount of carbon dioxide released while ensuring that they are burned efficiently.
Older stoves with open flues produce lots of carbon dioxide, which is poisonous gas that should not be allowed to escape into your home. This can happen if your chimney is not properly maintained or there is inadequate ventilation, which is why it is important to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Before installing a brand new or used wood burner stove, take note of the distance from the place where the stove is placed on the floor to the chimney opening on the wall or ceiling. Multiply this number by two to calculate the minimum length of stovepipe that you require. You can use either single-wall or micro small wood burning stove for shed Wood Burning Stoves (Maps.Google.Com.Qa) double-wall stovepipes but you must ensure the proper clearance from burning combustibles.
The air vent of the stove should be adjusted whenever it first starts to light up until a proper flame has been established within the stove and its combustion process has stabilized. It is advised to stay clear of using wood logs in the stove because they could contain volatile chemicals that can cause the air vents to malfunction.
The chimney
The chimney might not be something that homeowners give a lot of thought to, but it's an intricate system that requires care and attention. From top to bottom the chimney is made up of several important components, all of which are essential to ensure that your stove works safely and efficiently.
The ventilation pipe, the firebox and chimney work together to release the combustion gases generated by your woodburning fireplace to the outside. This is essential to reduce carbon dioxide levels as well as prevent harmful emissions. To achieve this, the flue and chimney should be hot enough to remove the gases from the fireplace without cooling. This can be achieved by using a wood-burning fireplace that has a high heat output, and by adding new logs frequently to the fire.
Modern woodburning stoves have a taller chimney than older models to enhance the drafting effect. This could cause problems in the event that your chimney's height exceeds the maximum allowed for your area. In this scenario the chimney may compete with the stack of your house for airflow, which causes gases to cool down before leaving. This could impede the gas flow and cause a buildup of creosote, which poses a potential fire danger.
The most common mistake homeowners make is to open the fireplace door and close it often. This can negatively affect the combustion. It's important to leave the door shut as much as possible and only open it when you need to add additional firewood or ash. The door shouldn't be left open for too long. This allows hot air from the stove to escape, making the wood cooler and less likely to light.
Other types of combustibles can produce higher emissions or a chimney fire. Woodburning stoves were developed and optimised for burning firewood. They are not suitable for other combustibles.
The flu
A woodburning stove requires a properly large flue that allows for adequate draft and air flow. The flue should be at least 25% larger than the stove pipe that connects the chimney and the stove to allow for adequate smoke circulation. A wood stove must be set on a non-combustible hearth with a clear space in front of the fireplace opening.
Modern stoves have the feature of catalytic combustor, which can help reduce the amount of harmful by-products which are released into the chimney. This feature can help increase the efficiency of wood stoves by burning a wood which produces more heat while emitting less pollution. However, using different types of combustibles, such as coal, can cause problems, including lower efficiency and higher emissions.
When burning wood in a stove or fireplace it is essential to burn seasoned or dried wood stove burning. If your wood is not seasoned or dry it will release high levels of water vapor and creosote into the chimney. This can cause low flue temperatures, and even a fire in the chimney.
A professional can also help you avoid the possibility of a chimney fire by regularly checking and cleaning the flue system. This includes the stovepipe, chimney and the chimney itself to ensure all are in good condition.
A dirty stove and flue system can lead to a poor chimney draft that could release carbon monoxide into your home. This can be harmful to your family and should never be allowed to occur.
It is a good idea to ensure that your stove and chimney are cleaned by a professional at least every year. This will help keep your chimney and stove in good working order.