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Proper Use and Maintenance of a Wood Heater Stove A wood stove is a great way to warm up your home and it can also warm the entire house. Certain stoves emit harmful gases like creosote which could be harmful to the health of your family and your property. The proper care of these stoves is essential. Some of the most important points to remember include: not overheating the stove or tinkering with the fire, and using properly-dried firewood. Fuel Wood stoves burn a variety of fuel types that include dry wood as well as manufactured solid fuels such as briquettes and fire logs. These more clean burning options are healthier and more sustainable than traditional house coal or wet wood. However, they do still release smoke and harmful gases and require regular maintenance to keep them operating at their best. Before purchasing or using any fuel, read the instructions of the manufacturer and make sure that the fuel you choose to use is suitable for your stove. The wrong fuel can cause damage to your stove and chimney, causing expensive repairs or voiding the warranty. It is illegal to use fuel that is not approved particularly in smoke control zones. Look for the “Ready to Burn” logo. This confirms that the fuel is in compliance with sulphur limits and smoke emission limits and can be legally sold for domestic use. The logo is usually displayed alongside the details of the price and brand or on the packaging. The appropriate fuels are prepared (stored and split for several months prior to use) or kiln-dried to decrease the moisture content, which increases the amount of heat produced and improves the efficiency of combustion. The type of wood you select must also be suited to your heating needs. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are good value for money, however, hardwoods such as oak or beech produce more hot embers and do so over a longer time. Fruitwoods such as cherry and apple are not just used to heat your home but also provide a pleasant scent. If you own an appliance that is multi-fuel, you should consider a mixed fuel fire; mixing smokeless briquettes with wood can help to keep the flames going and warm your home for longer. Briquettes can be used as a backup and can help to in preventing a fire from a chimney by keeping the air moving. A stove that is well-maintained will produce more heat and burn less fuel while producing fewer harmful particles. If you own a wood or gas-fired stove, ensure it is installed by a registered installer (on a competent person scheme like HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure or NAPIT). Regularly maintained appliances are more efficient and safeguard your health and the environment by preventing harmful emissions. Design Wood stoves are a fantastic source of heat, but their design is something to take into consideration. Smoke and carbon monoxide are undesirable byproducts that may cause harm to health and the environment. A well-planned and efficient operation are the most important factors in reducing the emission. Modern wood stoves are designed to be more eco conscious than traditional models. All EPA certified stoves must meet strict emission and energy efficiency regulations to maximize the amount of heat produced. Look for a metal EPA certification mark on the back of the stove, or go through the EPA's latest database to see whether a particular stove is certified. Local hearth products retailers are also a great source for information on wood stoves, including what size and capacity is the best fit for your space. Controlling air flow through the stove is a key aspect of EPA emission regulations. The stove's firebox is enclosed by walls that are fireproof, and there are air vents inside these walls that allow for controlled airflow. Controlling airflow is crucial to ensure that the combustion is efficient and emissions are reduced. Many modern stoves have baffles that extend the time the fire burns, reducing the amount of gas and smoke that can cause harm. Certain wood stoves include an catalytic converter to lower NOx emissions. This is more expensive and used only in high-end wood burning stoves. Stoves utilize different air control systems to regulate air flow. Most wood stoves have an inherently air supply that is passive which requires that the owner (you) control the stove properly to ensure maximum efficiency. Some stoves feature active air supply systems that are controlled by sensors. These sensors are able to monitor the combustion process and adjust the air supply when necessary. Wood stoves can be a fantastic alternative for heating homes in remote areas or those who are not connected to the electricity grid. If you don't have a backup source of heating in the event of a power outage or a snowstorm, then a wood stove shouldn't be your only option to warm your home. The output of heat Many wood stoves advertise an output of heat at the peak in BTUs. This is misleading as the actual heat output of a wood-burning stove depends on a variety of factors including the size of the room and how well it is insulated. Climate can also affect the heating requirements. To ensure comfort, colder regions need stoves that have higher BTU ratings. Other factors that influence the production of heat include the kind of wood used and the frequency of fueling. Dry, seasoned wood creates more heat than freshly-cut and wet logs. A stove fan may help circulate the heat produced by the wood burner within the room, rather than having the hot air rise. It is vital to keep in mind that the highest output of wood heater stoves should not be reached frequently because continuous high-fire can cause damage to the stove's internals and may cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into the home. Regular refueling can improve the performance of an fireplace. When adding a log, ensure it's not large and set it on the embers that are glowing so that it does not touch the walls of the stove or the glass pane. best wood burning stove 's also recommended to add smaller logs more often rather than allowing too long between additions. High efficiency stoves are designed to provide a higher heat output with the same amount of fuel. This is accomplished by prewarming combustion air before heating it and by incorporating other features into the design. These stoves emit less carbon monoxide, toxins and smoke than older models. Many people opt to install boiler stoves as element of their heating system. It uses the heat produced by the wood burning stove to heat the water in hot water tanks or a central heating system, which allows the heat to be distributed throughout a home. This is an efficient and cost-effective method to heat the home. However the installation process can take quite a long time. This method requires a separate flue, and the additional energy needed to run a back boiler will raise the operating costs of the wood stove. Safety Fireplaces and wood stoves are a convenient and attractive way of heating your home. However, they aren't without their risks. A fire could cause furniture or carpets to catch fire and a hot fireplace can cause structural damage to your home. A proper use and maintenance of a wood-burning stove minimizes these dangers. Wood-burning stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are secure and in good condition. This includes examining the chimney and flue for signs of rust and wear and having them cleaned at least two times per year. The chimney should also be examined at least once a year to check for creosote accumulation, which is highly flammable and may cause chimney fires. 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 guarantee that the stove is constructed to comply with 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 the floor of the stove. If you decide to put in a wood stove in your cabin, make sure that the floor underneath it is reinforced and non-combustible. It is also possible to lay a layer of non-combustible floor tiles over the flooring you have, particularly if you live in an old mobile home with combustible floors. Only burn wood that is dry and well-seasoned. Dry and damp wood creates an excessive amount of smoke and creosote. It is an ignitable byproduct that could build up in your chimney and release harmful chemicals into your home. Do not burn cardboard or paper, trash, or any other combustibles, because they can release dangerous fumes, and could not even ignite. Don't “over fire” your wood stovethat is, to generate a larger flame than the stove is able to handle. Over-fired stoves can lead to flames leaving the combustion chamber and causing damage to the chimney connector, the stove and chimney itself, as well as burning other combustible materials in your home. Make sure the fire has been completely smothered before leaving your home or going to bed. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be working at all times.