20 Myths About Wood Burning Stoves: Busted
Wood Burning Stoves Near Me Wood stoves are beautiful and efficient way to heat your home. But, there are a few factors to consider when purchasing a new stove. Included in this are EPA-certified energy efficiency and cost, as well as maintenance requirements. Avoid becoming “number-bound” and basing your decision on a particular rating or BTU output. Also, consider aesthetics, recommendations from an reputable retailer and feedback. Cost Wood stoves can add a classy and elegant accent to any home. They are available in a variety of styles and colors that can be matched to any decor. These stoves are also efficient in energy use and are cost-effective they can be a great alternative to expensive heating systems. However there are some factors to consider when buying a new wood stove. Included in this are the initial price along with installation costs, as well as any additional costs, like chimney liner. The price of the stove is determined by the model and size you select. It is possible to locate a freestanding wood stove priced under 700 dollars. The stove features a huge viewing glass which is kept clean by a powerful airwashing system. It is also multi-fuel which means you can burn different types of fuel. Noncatalytic wood stoves are less expensive than catalytic models, but they are more difficult to ignite. They also require more fuel in order to generate the same heat. They also release more particulate matter into air than catalytic stoves. Despite these drawbacks the noncatalytic stove is an affordable option for a lot of people. Pellet stoves are a popular alternative to wood burning stoves. They're like wood stoves, however they use smaller pellets made of recycled materials or wood. They are less difficult to maintain, but don't generate as much heat. You'll need to think about the cost of installing an exhaust system when you choose a pellet or wood stove. Certain wood stoves require an intake of combustion air from outside as well as a venting system that connects with a chimney. Depending on your location and the building codes in your area, you could require getting your stove inspected by the local building inspector. If you're installing a wood stove inside an existing fireplace, you'll be able to spend less on installation. You'll need to install a chimney liner and you may need to hire someone to maintain the chimney on a regular basis. A freestanding wood stove isn't able to warm all the rooms in a multi-story home, so you'll need to install radiators to complement. Energy Efficiency As the cost of gas and electricity continues to rise many homeowners are searching for alternative methods of heating their homes. Wood stoves are among the most popular alternatives to traditional heating systems due to the fact that they provide a low-cost and sustainable source of heat. They also burn cleaner, reducing the amount of air pollution. Modern wood-burning stoves are extremely efficient in energy use, which means they generate more heat in your home with less fuel. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that they feature smaller combustion chambers than previous models. They also have a catalytic combustion chamber that burns fuel more efficiently. They also produce fewer harmful emissions, which is essential when you live in an area that requires compliance with the stricter standards for air quality. Log burners are also more eco-friendly because they let you regulate the quantity of air delivered to your fire. This permits it to burn at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. This can help reduce the amount of smoke generated by the fire and prevent the buildup of flammable creosote inside your chimney. Burning various kinds of wood, such as reclaimed and scrap wood, will produce a more effective fuel mix, which will decrease the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fire. You can even gather unwanted timber that has been discarded from building projects and then burn it in your stove. By doing this, you can cut down on the cost of purchasing firewood and help to preserve our woodlands. Wood is a carbon-neutral fuel because it's a renewable resource. The trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and release it upon burning, creating a cycle of life. In addition, by purchasing local wood, you can help the local economy and decrease your environmental footprint. A fireplace that burns wood can be utilized as a backup source of warmth in the event there is a power loss. If you're able to keep enough logs in storage and wood, you'll be able to keep your home warm for several days. You can also use your stove to heat water and cook food. Environmental Impact Burning a wood stove may result in negative effects on the environment and your health, based on how well it's completed and the type of wood you use. Wood burning produces harmful gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as fine particles known as PM (particulate material). PM (particulate matter) is a mixture of harmful substances such as black carbon, soot, and tar. These pollutants have been linked to a number of health issues such as respiratory diseases and heart disease. The emissions from wood burning stoves can be harmful to the environment and health. Additionally burning wood burning stoves for sale can result in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are a significant source of VOCs in the indoor air. VOCs are a kind of pollutant that has been linked to several health problems, including headaches and eye irritation. VOCs can damage the respiratory system, lungs and circulatory systems. They also cause a host of other environmental issues such as the loss of biodiversity, water quality, and soil erosion. In certain areas, the levels of VOCs found in wood smoke could exceed the standards set by the federal government. According to a report from Undark, five state have provided incentives to replace older wood-burning appliances with EPA certified models. However, a lot of these appliances are only marginally better than older models. They are also expensive and require electricity to run fans, controls and pellet feeders. As a result, some environmental organizations have begun to eliminate incentives to promote new wood stoves, in favor of encouraging people to switch over to alternative sources of heating. The State of Oregon for example requires homeowners to take down non-certified wood-burning appliances and encourages homeowners to switch to heat pumps. Wood stoves are more efficient in energy use than other heating methods, such as gas or electric furnaces. They produce a higher amount of heat using less wood than their gas or electric counterparts. They are therefore more sustainable and a cheaper option for heating homes. However, they should be regularly inspected and maintained to cut down on the amount of fuel required and increase efficiency. For instance, cleaning out unneeded feed systems and hoppers at the end of the season will reduce rust and ensure that the stove is ready for use again in the autumn. Regular cleaning of the stove's chimney vent will also prevent flammable buildup. Safety Wood burning stoves provide a warm and cozy option for heating however they also pose fire hazards that can threaten your family's health. Smoke inhalation can be a cause of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious problems. You can protect your home and family by taking the proper safety precautions. Make sure that the stove is properly vented and installed correctly. A certified professional should put in your chimney, flue pipe and connecters. The chimney should be at least three feet above any object that could ignite. This includes trees that are overhanging or buildings adjacent to them. Install carbon monoxide and smoke (CO) detectors outside every bedroom and on every level of the house and connect them so that they all sound when one goes off. Be sure to check your alarms on a regular basis and replace batteries. Keep combustible materials, such as plastics, paper and garbage, from the stove and don't ignite them on or near it. Never leave a stove that is burning wood unattended, particularly at night. If your stove is in a space that has sleeping areas, shut off the heat source and open the windows before you go to sleep. This will stop smoke from the wood stove from entering the room and creating CO poisoning. Install an air-cleaning device if you plan to use a wood stove. These systems work to capture and neutralize volatile organic compounds from the exhaust stream before it leaves the fireplace. Keep your stove clean, and keep the draft louvers, grate and draft hoods free of the ash. Wood smoke is harmful for everyone but is especially harmful to children and older adults who suffer from weak lungs. It can also trigger respiratory infections and asthma. Avoid using a wood stove on days when air pollution levels are high. The EPA and the individual states provide daily reports on air quality. Some new wood stoves are more efficient than older models, but they release large quantities of pollution into the atmosphere. Choose a model that has been approved by the EPA as being more than 72 percent efficient to limit the amount of pollution you are exposed to. Also, only burn dry and well-seasoned wood. This kind of wood generates more heat and less toxins than fresh green wood.