Maintaining an Indoor Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves are a cozy and cost-effective method of heating your home. They release harmful gases into the air if not properly installed, when they are filled with too much fuel or blown out of chimneys or flues that are in poor repair.
Modern wood stoves are constructed with more clean fuels and less pollutants produced by their secondary combustion processes. The dampers of these stoves can be turned to open or close in the interior portion of the flue.
Efficient Heat Production
There's nothing like sitting in front of a warm fire that adds to the comfort and ambience of a space. A wood stove is more than just an energy source. It also reduces the need for fossil fuels and is an alternative for heating your home.
Wood stoves come in various sizes to suit any space, and they offer the appropriate amount of heat. They are rated based on their British Thermal Units (BTU) output. Certain models have features that increase efficiency, like baffle systems or second combustion chambers. Certain models also have insulation that can help retain heat for longer, leading to greater efficiency.
Highly efficient stoves convert a greater percentage of wood into heat, reducing emissions and consumption of wood. Selecting dried, or seasoned, wood can also improve efficiency since it burns faster and creates less smoke. Proper installation regular maintenance and proper operation can maximize efficiency in energy use and environmental performance.
It is important to control the air flow inside your stove carefully to ensure optimum combustion. This can be done by adjusting the primary air vent, and using a secondary vent to control the flames. When you start the fire, the primary air vent should always be fully opened. As the fire grows it will be closed gradually. The vent should not be opened too early since this can cause massive flames to overpower the secondary vent. This is essential to control combustion and reduce particles released.
Make sure you use only clean, seasoned firewood for your stove. Other kinds of wood, including painted and varnished pieces, can produce high levels of pollutants, or even cause dangerously high temperatures. Wood briquettes are also not recommended for burning in your stove as they could contain additives and chemicals that can harm your health or cause damage to the stove interior.
It is important that your chimney be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. Soot and creosote buildup can drastically reduce the efficiency of your stove and can be a fire hazard for your home.
Aesthetically pleasing
Wood stoves provide more than just warmth. they can create an element of focal point in the home and provide an inviting feel. You can also get some exercise by cutting wood for your stove. They can also save you money on energy bills and could be used as a backup in the event of power outages. They are a renewable energy source that is better for the environment than fossils fuels. They can also make your home more self-sufficient.
Wood burning stoves can be found in a variety of styles and colors that will fit any decor. While black is the most popular, stoves with rich browns or terracotta shades provide an elegant look to any room. The darker hues are more easy to maintain, since they hide marks and dirt better.
If you're looking for a more compact design, then you can look into a smaller rectangular wood stove. They typically feature glass doors on three sides, and can be installed in tight spaces. They are ideal for turning garages into an living space. They can be freestanding or fitted with a twin-wall flue system.
For larger homes you can choose an even larger wood-burning stove. These stoves have a large heating capacity of more than 8kW, making them suitable for large family homes and open-plan living spaces. These stoves usually have a more industrial appearance and can be installed in single or double-walled chimney systems.
wood burning fires are also equipped with catalytic and second-burn technologies that redirect unburned gases from the fire to flames instead of transferring them through the chimney. This means that you'll have less smoke in the room, which can be beneficial for those with hypersensitive asthma or respiratory condition.
Before you purchase a stove that burns wood it is important to figure out the heating requirements of your room in Kilowatts. This will help you choose the right size stove for your space and avoid overheating or underheating. There is a simple formula you can use to do this. Simply multiply the volume of your room in cubic metres by 14. This will give you a rough idea of your heating requirements.
Affordability
When it comes to reducing the cost of heating an indoor wood-burning stove is an excellent choice. Wood stoves generate heat by through firewood, which is a renewable source of energy. They are also less expensive than other energy sources like electricity and gas. It is important to understand the costs of buying and maintaining a wood stove prior to investing in.
The upfront cost of purchasing a new wood burning stove could be a huge sum but once it's installed and used regularly, your overall monthly expenses will likely to decrease substantially. In fact, if you're changing from a gas to wood stove, you might be in a position to save as much as $1000 each year.
Apart from reducing your heating expenses overall by using an indoor wood-burning stove will also provide back-up heating in the event of a power outage. This is an important feature during winter storms that are extremely severe because it can be difficult to keep your house warm without electricity.
Consider the size and heat capacity of a wood stove when selecting one to ensure that it can heat your home properly. You'll need to determine the area that you want to heat and follow the guidelines of the manufacturer to determine the appropriate BTUs for your area. It is also important to take into account the layout and amount of insulation of your home and the climate where you live.
Wood stoves come in a wide range of styles and designs so there's certain to be one that complements your home's decor. Modern stoves are sleek, contemporary aesthetic that will enhance the look of your living space while also providing warmth. There are stoves that meet the emission standards of the EPA. They're identified with a sticker that indicates which emission standards they meet. To lower your emissions and to prevent polluting the air, it's important to buy an EPA-certified appliance.
Easy Maintenance
Wood stoves provide a natural and efficient method to heat your house. However, they need an amount of maintenance to ensure that they continue working properly. You will need to invest time and effort in sourcing, splitting, stacking, and transporting the wood that you will use to ignite your stove, in addition to cleaning and maintaining the stove itself and its chimney. These additional tasks can be overwhelming for homeowners who aren't used to it. There are ways to reduce the amount of maintenance required for your wood burning stove to ensure it lasts longer and works better.
The first step to effective maintenance is to develop a regular cleaning routine. Ideally you should clean your stove at least once a week or every month in winter when it's constantly in use. Begin by cleaning the exterior surfaces of your oven using an accessory with a soft-bristle. Be sure to reach into all crevices and joints as well as air intakes. Make sure that you are gentle around the areas that are sensitive to heat of the stove. Next, wipe down the exterior surfaces of your stove using a non-toxic, non-chemical cleaner.
The last thing to do is empty the ash pans and sifters regularly. This job is made easier by spraying water on the top layer of ash. It is possible to take all ash from the stove at times to inspect the bricks or ensure that the bottom of your firebox is clear. The tray and ash pan can overheat your wood stove if they are full.
You'll also need to check the gasket and glass regularly, particularly after a few fires. A damaged seal can affect the process of combustion which can cause gasses to be leaking into your living space. A stained stove glass could also indicate that your wood isn't burning properly, often caused by a poor draft or lighting the fire improperly.
You should also employ an expert to clean your chimney twice a year in order to prevent the buildup of creosote and other harmful substances. Also, avoid combustible substances from your wood stove as they can catch fire when placed too close to the heater.