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Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm up your home, and it can also warm the entire house. Certain stoves emit harmful gasses like creosote which can be dangerous for health and property. The proper care of these stoves is essential. Some important things to remember are to avoid overheating the stove or tinkering with the stove, and using dried firewood. Fuel Wood stoves can burn a variety of fuels, including dry wood, as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes or fire logs. These cleaner burning alternatives are healthier and better for the environment than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they do still release smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to keep them working at their peak. Before using or purchasing any fuel, check the manufacturer's directions and make sure that the type is recommended for your stove. Incorrect fuels can cause damage to your stove or chimney which can result in costly repairs and invalidating your warranty. Using an unapproved fuel could be illegal, especially in smoke control areas. Look for the “Ready to Burn” logo. This means that the fuel is in compliance with limits of sulphur and smoke emission limitations and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed on the packaging or alongside the brand name and price. The fuels suitable for burning must be dried out or seasoned to reduce the moisture content. This will improve heat output and combustion efficiency. The type of wood selected will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods like pine and spruce are good value for money, however hardwoods such as oak and beech generate more hot embers and operate for a longer time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry can not only be used to heat your home and provide a pleasant aroma. If you own a multi-fuel stove, think about a mixed fuel stove; mixing smokeless briquettes with wood can help maintain the flames and keep your home warm for a longer period of time. The briquettes are a good alternative and can keep a chimney from burning by keeping the air moving. A well-maintained stove will produce more heat and burn less fuel, while also releasing less harmful particles. If you own a gas or oil-fired wood stove, make sure it is installed by an authorized installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). A properly maintained appliance is more cost-effective to run and will protect your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions. Design Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat, however their design is important to think about. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that could be harmful to health and the environment. Proper operation and a well-designed design are key factors in minimizing the emission. Modern wood stoves are more environmentally green than older models. All EPA-certified stoves comply with strict emission and energy efficiency regulations which maximize the quantity of heat they generate. Look for a metal EPA certification label on the back of the stove or go through the EPA's latest database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Hearth stores in your area are also a great source for information on wood stoves, and what size and capacity is best for your space. One of the most important aspects of EPA emission regulations involves controlling the flow of air through the stove. The stove's firebox is enclosed by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents in these walls that allow for controlled airflow. The control of airflow is essential to ensure that the combustion process is in the best possible way and that the emissions are reduced. Many modern stoves use a baffle that increases the combustion time of the fire, which lowers the amount of smoke and harmful gases. Some wood stoves also use catalytic converters to cut down on NOx emissions. This method is more expensive and is utilized only in high-end wood burning stoves. Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. Most wood stoves have the basic passive supply of air, which requires that the user (you), operate the stove correctly to achieve the best performance. Certain wood stoves have active air supplies that are controlled by sensors. These sensors monitor the combustion process, and adjust the air supply as needed. Wood stoves are an excellent alternative to heating homes in remote areas or those who are not connected to the electricity grid. But, if you do not have a backup heating source to rely on in the event of an outage or a snowstorm, a wood stove should not be your only option for heating your home. The output of heat Many wood stoves are advertised as having the maximum heat output in BTUs. This is misleading, however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is contingent on a variety of factors such as the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated. Climate can also affect the requirements for heat. The colder regions require stoves with a a higher BTU rating to maintain comfort. Other factors that influence the production of heat include the type of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan can also aid in the circulation of heat produced by the wood stove in the room instead of having the hot air rise up. It is crucial to remember that the highest output of a wood heater stove should not be a constant event since continuous high fire can cause damage to the stove's interior and may cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home. The performance of a stove can also be improved by regular refills. Make sure the log is not too big and that it is placed on the embers that are glowing so that it doesn't touch the glass or the walls of the stove. It's also recommended to add smaller logs more often, rather than leaving too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are engineered to produce a higher heat output with the same amount fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air before heating it and employing other design features. These stoves emit less carbon monoxide, toxins, and smoke than older models. A few people also decide to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat generated 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 the home. However, the installation process can take quite a long time. This method requires a flue that is not already installed and the energy needed to run the boiler will add to overall costs. Safety Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive method of heating your home. However, they are not without risk. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a fireplace that is hot can cause structural damage to your home. These dangers can be minimized by using and maintaining the fireplace with wood burning. Wood-burning stoves need to be checked and maintained regularly to keep them safe and in good condition. This includes examining the flue and chimney for signs of wear and rust, and cleaning them at least two times per year. The chimney should also be examined every season to check for creosote accumulation, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires. When you are buying a wood-burning stove be sure to choose one that is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab recognized for testing. This ensures that the stove complies with federal safety standards and is designed to vent properly. Examine the hinges, legs and grates to make sure they are in good condition and securely attached to a stove's floor. If you decide to install a wood stove in your cabin, ensure that the floor underneath it is non-combustible and reinforced. You can also install a non-combustible floor tile over your flooring in the event that it is combustible. Always burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Green and damp wood produces an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is a flammable byproduct that can build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Don't burn cardboard, paper, trash or any other combustibles on your wood stove as they can create dangerous fumes, and they may not fully burn. Don't “over fire” your wood stovethat is, to create a larger fire than the stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames escape from the combustion chamber, causing damage to the stove, chimney connector, and the chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other materials that are combustible in your home. Also, make small wood burning stove that the fire has been completely extinguished prior to leaving your cabin or going to bed. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be working throughout the day.