12 Companies That Are Leading The Way In Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me

Wood stoves are a low-carbon renewable heat source that can help you save money on your energy bills. They also assist in active woodland management, benefitting wildlife.

However, if they aren't properly maintained and installed, they can create carbon monoxide that poses health hazards for the family. To avoid this, choose an appliance made of wood that is EPA certified and has modern wood burning stove technology for safe operation.

Catalytic woodburning stoves

A catalytic stove is outfitted with an encapsulated catalyst which converts the smoke from wood into carbon dioxide and water. It is a good choice for anyone looking to reduce indoor air pollution and save money by burning less wood. They consume less fuel, burn faster and produce less creosote. However, they can be more expensive to operate than non-catalytic models and require regular maintenance of the combustion chamber.

Wood Stoves that are EPA-Certified

The EPA requires wood stoves to be constructed according to certain guidelines that reduce their emissions. According to these guidelines, a catalytic stove must not emit more than 7.5 grams per hour. This is compared to 4.1 grams per hour for a non-catalytic stove. But, it's important to keep in mind that lower emissions ratings don't translate into more heating efficiency.

Sizing and Selection

It is essential that your wood stove is sized correctly for the home where it will be put in. The wrong size stove will not function as intended and could even overheat. A properly-sized stove increases heat powered wood stove fan output and reduces emissions. The brochure: products Buying an EPA-Certified wood stove (PDF 530K) offers a simple way to size and select the right wood stove.

Non-Catalytical and Catalytical stoves

The first type of wood stove to be manufactured was the non-catalytic stove. They are also referred to as traditional wood burning stoves or open-fire stoves. The non-catalytic stove has the advantage that it doesn't need an additional combustion to reduce emissions. However, a significant amount of wasted energy is lost in the form of smoke. The smoke from small wood stove stoves that are not catalytic contain creosote, products a hefty residue which is a very toxic substance. The catalytic wood heater has reduced the risk of these issues. The catalytic stove utilizes catalysts that burn gases in the smoke to eliminate the toxic creosote.

Although the catalytic wood stove was developed as a means to reduce toxic emissions but it isn't as effective as the secondary burn system used in the non-catalytic stove. The catalyst does produce some toxic fumes due to the fact that it doesn't completely burn the wood byproducts that result from burning. The honeycomb structure may degrade over time. This can result in a decrease in performance and the necessity for replacement.

Keeping the Combustion Chamber Clean

A functioning catalytic combustor will have a grayish-white appearance. It should be free of soot, ash, or tatty materials which could block the cells and decrease the catalytic surface. The combustor must not be subjected to flame impingement. This could be caused by an extremely fast, strong draft that draws flames directly into the catalytic converter. This could also happen if the firebox door or ash pan's door is left open.

It is essential to check the catalytic combustor for physical damage and a need for products replacement. If the catalytic combustor has become damaged or needs to be replaced, it must be done as quickly as is feasible to ensure maximum performance.