20 Myths About Indoor Wood Burning Stove: Busted
Maintaining an Indoor Wood Burning Stove
Wood stoves are an economical and comfortable method to heat your home. However, they can also release harmful gases and pollutants into indoor air if poorly installed, laden with too much fuel or venting to flues or chimneys that are in disrepair.
Modern wood stoves are constructed with cleaner fuels and less contaminants generated by their secondary combustion process. These stoves have dampers within the inside of the flue pipe which can be opened and closed.
Efficient Heat Production
There is nothing better than curling up in front of a warm fire that adds to the comfort and ambience of a space. A wood stove offers more than just warmth it also reduces your dependency on fossil fuels and provides a sustainable alternative for heating your home.
Wood stoves come in different sizes to fit any space, and provide the proper amount of heat. These appliances are rated based on their British Thermal Units (BTU) output. Certain models come with features that boost efficiency, such as baffle systems or second combustion chambers. Additionally, certain models are equipped with insulation that holds heat for longer to ensure greater efficiency.
Highly efficient stoves convert a higher percentage of wood into heat, reducing emissions and consumption of wood. The use of seasoned or dried wood can also increase efficiency since it burns more quickly and produces less smoke. A proper installation and regular maintenance can boost the efficiency of energy and environmental performance.
It is essential to control the air flow in your stove with care to ensure optimal combustion. This can be done by altering the primary vent and using the secondary vent to control the flames. When starting the fire the primary vent should always be fully open. As the fire rages it can be gradually closed. The vent should not be opened too soon, as this will cause large flames to overwhelm the secondary vent. This is essential to reduce the amount of combustion and particle emissions.
It is also essential to only use clean, seasoned wood to burning in your stove. Other types of wood, such as varnished or painted products can result in high levels of pollutants or dangerously high temperatures. Briquettes made of wood are not suggested for burning on your stove, as they could contain additives and chemicals that could cause harm to your health or cause damage to the stove interior.
It is essential that your chimney is inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. The buildup of creosote and smoke can significantly reduce the performance of your stove and could also pose a fire risk for your home.
Aesthetically pleasing
Wood stoves are more than an energy source. They also serve as a focal-point for your home and give it an inviting feel. They also allow you to get some exercise chopping the wood that will fuel your fire. You can also save money on your electricity bills and can be used to restore the power in case there is a power outage. They are a renewable source that is better for the environment than fossil fuels. They can also help make your home more self-sufficient.
Wood burning stoves can be found in a range of styles and colors that will fit any style. While black is the standard option, coloured stoves such as those with rich browns and terracotta hues provide a modern look to the room. The darker shades are easier to maintain, since they hide dirt and marks better.
If you're seeking a smaller design, then you can think about a smaller rectangular wood stove. These stoves usually come with glass on three sides and can be installed in tight spaces. They are ideal for turning garages into an area for living. They can be freestanding or installed with a twin-wall flue system.
You can pick a larger wood-burning fireplace to accommodate larger homes. These stoves are perfect for homes with large families and open-plan living areas. They have an energy capacity of more than 8kW. They tend to be more industrial in appearance and can be incorporated into single or double-walled systems.
They are also fitted with catalytic and second-burn technology that redirect unburned gases from the logs to the flames instead of sending them up the chimney. This means you'll experience less smoke in your room, which is beneficial if you suffer from a respiratory or asthma-related condition that is sensitive.
It is important to determine the average heating requirements of your room before purchasing a fireplace that burns wood. This will allow you to choose the ideal size stove for your space and also avoid overheating or underheating. There is a simple calculation you can use to do this. Multiply the cubic metre volume of your space by 14. This will give you an estimate of your heating requirements.
Affordability
A wood stove in the home is a great way to cut down on heating costs. Wood stoves utilize the renewable energy source that is firewood to generate heat. They are also less expensive than other forms of energy like gas and electricity. It is important to understand the cost of buying and maintaining a wood stove before investing in.
While the initial cost of a wood-burning stove is expensive but once it's installed and frequented, your monthly costs are likely to decrease dramatically. You could save up to $1000 annually by switching from a traditional gas stove to a wood-burning stove.
In addition to lowering your heating expenses, a wood-burning stove in the indoors will provide you with backup warmth in the event of an electrical failure. This is an excellent feature to have in winter storms when it can be hard to keep your home warm without electricity.
Be aware of the size and capacity of a wood stove before choosing one to ensure it can heat your home in a timely manner. You will need to measure the square footage of the area you'd like to heat, and then use the guidelines provided by the manufacturer to determine how many BTUs are needed. You must also consider the layout and amount of insulation your home has and the climate where you live.
Wood stoves are available in a wide range of designs and styles, therefore there's likely to be one that will complement your interior design. Modern stoves feature a modern, sleek design that can enhance the appearance of your living area and still provide warmth. There are stoves that comply with EPA emission standards. They are typically marked with a label that identifies the emission standards they meet. It's important to purchase an EPA-certified cooktop to reduce your carbon emissions and avoid harmful air pollution.
Easy Maintenance
Wood stoves are an efficient and natural method of heating your home. However, they require a certain level of maintenance to ensure that they continue working correctly. You'll need to put in time and effort into sourcing splitting, stacking and transporting the wood you'll need to ignite your stove, in addition to cleaning and maintaining the appliance as well as its chimney. These extra tasks can be daunting for homeowners who aren't used to it. There are, however, ways to reduce the amount of work to maintain your wood stove, so that it lasts longer and function better.
To ensure that your stove is maintained effectively it is essential to establish a regular cleaning schedule. Ideally you should clean your stove at least once a week or monthly in winter when it's constantly in use. Begin by cleaning the exterior surfaces of your oven with an accessory with a soft-bristle. Make sure that you reach every crevice, joint, seams, and air intakes. Make sure that you are gentle around the hot areas of the stove. Next, wipe down the exterior surfaces of your stove with a non-toxic, non-chemical cleaner.
The last thing to do is empty the Ash pans and sifters frequently. This job can be made simpler by spraying water on the top layer of ash. Sometimes, you'll have to remove the entire ash pile from the stove to examine the fire bricks and make sure the bottom of the firebox is free. Keeping the ash tray and pan full could cause your wood stove to overheat, so it is vital to empty them when needed.
It is also important to check the gasket and the glass regularly especially after several fires. A damaged seal can affect the process of burning and cause gases to escape into your living space. A stained stove glass may be a sign that the wood isn't burning properly usually due to a poor draft or lighting the fire improperly.
You should also hire a professional to clean your chimney twice each year to prevent the buildup of creosote as well as other harmful substances. Also, be wood burning stoves for sale to keep any flammable materials away from your wood stove because they could catch fire if left too close to the heater.