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Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a wonderful way to warm your home and it can also be used to heat your entire house. However, some of these appliances emit harmful gases such as creosote that could be harmful to the health of your family and property. It is important to take care of these stoves. Some of the most important points to remember are: not overheating the area, not messing around with the stove, and using dried firewood. Fuel Wood stoves can be used to burn a variety of fuels, including dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels, such as briquettes or fire logs. These fuels that are clean burning are less prone to pollution than traditional house coal and wet wood, which means they are more eco-friendly and healthier to use. However, they do still emit some toxic gases and smoke. They also require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating at their peak. Before using or purchasing any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and ensure 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 voiding your warranty. It is illegal to use unapproved fuel particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the “Ready to Burn” logo. This means that the fuel is in compliance with smoke emission and sulphur limit limits and is legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually placed on the packaging, or along with the brand name and price. The appropriate fuels must be seasoned (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content which boosts heat output and combustion efficiency. The kind of wood you choose will also depend on your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are an excellent value for money however hardwoods such as oak and beech generate more hot embers and do so over a longer period of time. Fruitwoods such as apple and cherry can not only be used to heat the house, but also add a pleasant scent. If you have a stove that uses multiple fuels, you may think about a mixed-fuel fire. Combining wood with smokeless Briquettes can allow the flame to last longer, and will keep your home warm. Briquettes can be used as a back-up and can help to in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving. A well-maintained stove will create more heat, use less fuel, and produce fewer harmful particles. If you have a gas or wood-burning stove, make sure that it is installed by an authorized installer. Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and safeguard your health and the environment by preventing harmful emission. Design The design of wood stoves is a crucial consideration for those considering their use as a primary or secondary source of heat. Carbon monoxide and smoke are undesirable byproducts that could be harmful to health and the environment. Correct operation and careful design are essential to reducing these emissions. Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must comply with strict energy efficiency and emission regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for a metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or look through the EPA's current database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Visiting local hearth products retailers who know the performance characteristics of their products is an excellent way to learn more about wood stoves and which size and capacity might be the best fit for your home. Controlling the flow of air through the stove is a crucial aspect of EPA emission regulations. The firebox of the stove is enclosed by walls of fireproof material and air vents are located within the walls to allow controlled airflow. Airflow control is essential to ensure that the combustion is at its best and emissions are reduced. freestanding wood burning stove use a baffle that increases the time for combustion of the fire, which decreases smoke output and harmful gases. Certain wood stoves employ catalyst converters to cut down on NOx emission. This system is more costly and is used only in high-end wood burning stoves. Stoves also utilize different types of air control systems to regulate airflow through the stove. The majority of wood stoves use a basic passive air supply that requires the user (you) to operate the stove properly to get the best performance. A few wood stoves are also available with active air supply that are controlled by sensors that track the combustion process and adjust the flow of air as needed. One of the most significant advantages of a wood stove is that it doesn't require electricity to operate, which makes it a great alternative heating option for homes that are located in remote areas or without access to a grid. However, if your home does not have a backup heating source to rely on in the event of an outage or in case of a snowstorm, a wood stove should not be your sole option for heating your home. Heat output A lot of wood stoves are advertised with an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is not true, however, as the actual capacity to heat a wood stove is dependent on a number of factors like the size of the room as well as how well it's insulated. Climate also has an impact on the requirements for heat. Colder regions require stoves with a higher BTU rating to ensure the temperature. Other factors that affect the production of heat include the type of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned firewood produces more heat than freshly cut and wet logs. A stove fan can also assist in spreading the heat generated by the wood burner within the room, rather than having the hot air rise up. It is important to keep in mind that the maximum power of a wood heater should not be reached often as a continuous high-fire could damage the stove's internals and cause carbon monoxide leaking into the home. Regular refueling can also improve the performance of an fireplace. Make sure that the log isn't too large and placed on the embers that are glowing to ensure that it doesn't get in the way of the glass or walls of the stove. Make smaller logs more often, rather than being 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 using other design features. These stoves produce less carbon monoxide, toxic gases and smoke than the older models. Some homeowners also choose to install a back boiler stove as part of their heating system. The heat produced by a wood-burning stove is used to heat water for central heating systems or hot water tank. This allows the heat to be distributed in the house. This is a more efficient and cost-effective method of heating a home however the process of installation can be very extensive. This method requires an additional flue, and the energy required to run the boiler can increase overall costs. Safety Wood stoves and fireplaces are an attractive and convenient method of heating a home. They do come with risks. A fire can cause carpets or furniture to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. Proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove reduces the risk. Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are safe and in good working condition. This includes checking the flue and chimney at least two times every year for signs of rust or wear, and cleaning them. The chimney should also be inspected halfway through the season for creosote buildup. This is highly flammable and can cause chimney fires. When purchasing a wood-burning stove make sure you choose one that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another lab that is recognized as a testing lab. This will assure you that the stove has been constructed to comply with federal safety standards and is specifically designed to allow for proper venting. Check the legs, hinges, and grates to ensure they are in good shape and securely fastened to a stove's floor. If you decide to install a wood-burning fireplace in your home, make sure the floor underneath it is sturdy and made from non-combustible material. You can also install a non-combustible floor tile over your existing flooring in the event that it is inflammable. Burn only seasoned, dry hardwoods. Wood that is damp or green can cause excessive smoke and creosote. This flammable byproduct may build in your chimney, which releases toxic chemicals. Do not burn cardboard, paper, trash, or any other combustibles as they can create dangerous fumes and not even burn. Never “over-fire” your wood stove, i.e. create a larger fire than your stove can handle. Overfiring can cause flames to escape from the combustion chamber, which can damage to the chimney, stove connector, and chimney itself. It may also cause the burning of other combustible materials within your home. It is also crucial to make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your home or going to bed. In addition, you should have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your home.