How to Properly Operate a Woodburning Stove
Wood stoves are an inexpensive and cozy way to heat your home. Smoke from wood stoves can be hazardous to your health. It is essential to know how these appliances function and how to use them correctly.
A lot of modern stoves rely on a catalytic or secondary combustion to control their emissions. However, 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 most straightforward way to think of the firebox is that it's a box-like combustion chamber with walls and a door. Most fireplaces have either an already-built metal or brick firebox. The type of box you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the type of fireplace you have.
The majority of wood-burning stoves utilize an air flow that is constant to generate the fire and burn the fuel. Fresh air is pumped into the stove via dampers that can be adjusted within its doors. This lets the fuels burn correctly, and also reduces the toxic gases that are produced by incomplete or unburnt combustion. The exhaust gases are drawn up through the chimney and safely out of your house.
Modern stoves that have catalytic secondary combustion use a special catalyst that reburns the unburned gasses to generate additional heat. This results in cleaner and less polluting smoke than traditional wood stoves without secondary combustion. Modern non-catalytic wood stoves are available however they are usually less efficient than those with catalytic second combustion.
Certain fireplaces that burn wood have a backboiler, which can be used for space heating and water heating. These stoves are referred to as "hybrids" or "combination". They are in use since the beginning of the 20th century.
Wood burning stoves should only be used with well-seasoned wood. Freshly cut (green) wood has a high content of moisture that can lead to low flue temperatures and excessive creosote accumulation in the chimney. This can lead to chimney fires, which can harm your stove or cause harm to the health of your family members.
If you're in search of an expert to examine your wood-burning stove or perform any firebox repairs ensure that the chimney professional you choose is CSIA certified and has reviews from their customers on their website. You can inquire about their prices and the type of work they do.
The ventilation pipe
Ventilation is a must for wood stoves to help remove smoke and keep the home safe and warm. Ventilation is required to remove carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from the process of combustion. It also reduces the impact of air pollution and heat loss to the outdoor. Gas, wood and pellet stoves have different requirements for venting to accommodate the ways they function. Properly maintaining the stove's venting system every year is essential for safety and efficiency.
The ventilation system is comprised of the firebox, the vent pipe, and the chimney. The chimney and the pipe work together to create draft that draws smoke from the stove out through the fireplace. The differences in densities and temperature between the hot wood smoke and the cold outside air creates draft. The higher the temperature of the smoke, the better it can rise up the chimney and vent pipe.
contemporary wood stove have been rated as low-emission models by the EPA. They emit less pollution than older models that contribute to global warming and other environmental problems. The majority of modern stoves come with pollution control systems to limit the amount of emissions while ensuring that they are burned efficiently.
Older stoves with open flues emit a lot more carbon dioxide, which is poisonous gas that should not be allowed to escape into your home. Carbon monoxide can be produced when the chimney is dirty or has inadequate ventilation. Installing carbon monoxide alarms in your house is therefore important.
Measure the distance between the chimney's opening in the wall or ceiling and the location where the wood stove is located on the floor. By multiplying this measurement by 2 will give you the shortest length of stovepipe you need. You can choose to use single-wall or double-wall stovepipes, and you must ensure that you have adequate clearance from combustibles.
When the stove is first lit, adjust the air vent until a proper flame has been established and the combustion process is stable. It is advised to avoid using wood based logs in the stove because they could contain volatile chemicals that could cause the air vents to malfunction.
The chimney
The chimney is a complicated system which requires attention and care. From top to bottom, the chimney is comprised of a number of important components that are crucial to ensure that your stove works safely and efficiently.
The firebox, the ventilation pipe and chimney work together to release the combustion gases produced by your woodburning fireplace to the outside. This is crucial to reduce carbon dioxide levels and prevent harmful emissions. To achieve this the chimney and flue must to be hot enough to allow the gases out of the fireplace without cooling. This can be accomplished by using a wood-burning stove which has a high heat output, and by adding new logs on a regular basis to the fire.
The majority of modern woodburning stoves are designed to operate with a chimney that's taller than older systems in order to get a better drafting effect. However, this can have disadvantages when the height of your chimney is higher than the maximum allowed for your location. In this scenario the chimney may compete with the house's stack for airflow, causing the gases to cool before they leave. This could impede the gas flow and cause creosote buildup which could pose a fire danger.
The most common error homeowners make is to open the fireplace door and close it frequently. This can adversely affect the combustion. It's important to leave the fireplace door closed whenever you can and only open it when you are required to add additional firewood or ash. The door should not be left open for too long. This lets hot air from the stove to escape, making the wood cooler and more difficult to light.
Another common mistake that people make is using other types of combustibles in their woodburning stove, which can result in higher emissions or even chimney fire. The reality is that woodburning stoves are designed and optimized to burn wood and not other kinds of combustibles.
The flu
To ensure that the airflow is proper for a woodburning stove, it requires a flue that is the correct size. The flue should be at a minimum 25 percent larger than the pipe connecting the chimney and the stove to allow sufficient smoke flow. Additionally the stove must be placed on a hearth that is made of non-combustible materials and has a clear, unobstructed area in the front of the opening for the fireplace.
Modern stoves feature the feature of a catalytic combustor that can cut down on the amount of harmful by-products which are released into the chimney. This feature is also able to increase the efficiency of wood stoves by burning a fire that generates more heat and emits less. However, using other kinds of combustibles, like coal, can cause issues, including lower efficiency and higher emissions.
It is important to use dry or seasoned wood when you are burning wood in your stove or fireplace. If your wood isn't dry or seasoned it will release high levels of creosote and water vapor into the chimney. This can result in low flue temperatures and possibly a chimney fire.
A professional can also assist you in avoiding the possibility of a chimney fire by regularly checking and cleaning the flue system. This includes the stovepipe, the chimney and the chimney itself.
A dirty stove or flue system can cause an insufficient draft inside your chimney, which could cause carbon monoxide build-up within your home. This could be harmful to your family members and you shouldn't let it happen.
A good rule is to have your chimney and stove swept by a professional once a year. This will also help to keep the stove and chimney operating efficiently.