Wood Burning Stoves

A wood-burning stove (also known as a wood stove) is a heating appliance madeย  from iron or steel that is capable of burning wood fuel. Unlike standardย  fireplaces, wood stoves are typically contained entirely within the livingย  space, rather than inset in the wall.Photo courtesty of Wood-Stoves.org

Wood stoves come in many different sizes, each suited for a differentย  purpose:

  • Small stoves are suitable in single rooms, seasonal cottages or small,ย  energy efficient homes. These models can also be used for zone heating in largeย  homes where supplemental heating is needed.
  • Medium-size stoves are appropriate for heating small houses or mid-sizeย  homes that are intended to be energy-efficient and as inexpensive as possible toย  maintain.
  • Large stoves are used in larger homes or older homes that leak airย andย  are located in colder climate zones.

To ensure safe and efficient use of wood-burning stoves, inspectors can passย  along the following tips to their clients:

Never:

  • burn coal. Coal burns significantly hotter than wood, posing a fire hazard;
  • burn materials that will emit toxic chemicals, such as wood that has beenย  pressure-treated or painted, colored paper, gift wrap, plastic, plywood,ย  particleboard, or questionable wood from furniture;
  • burn wet wood. Generally speaking, it takes six months for cut, stored woodย  to dry out and be ready for use in wood-burning stoves;
  • burn combustible liquids, such as kerosene, gasoline, alcohol or lighterย  fluid;
  • let small children play near a lit wood-burning stove. Unlike standardย  fireplaces, the sides of which are mostly inaccessible, all sides of wood stovesย  are exposed and capable of burning flesh or clothing; or
  • let the fire burn while the fire screen or door is open.

Always:

  • use a grate to hold the logs so thatย they remain secured in the stoveย  and the air canย circulate adequately to keep the fire burning hot;
  • keep the damper open while the stove is lit;
  • dispose of ashes outdoors in a water-filled, metal container;
  • check smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly; and
  • periodically remove the stovepipe between the stove and the chimney soย  thatย it can be inspected for creosote. Homeowners may want to hire aย  professional to perform this service.

Efficiency and Air PollutantsWood-burning stoves account for the smoke pictured in this photo taken in Chico, CA

Whileย federal and state governments crack down on vehicle and industrialย  emissions, they do relatively little to limit the harmful air pollution emittedย  from wood stoves. The problem is so bad that, in many areas, such as Chico,ย  Caifornia (pictured at right), theย smoke from wood stoves is the largestย  single contributor to that city’sย air pollution.ย  Smoke from woodย  stovesย can cause a variety of health ailments, from asthma to cancer.

To mitigate these concerns, the EPA sets requirements for wood-stoveย  emissions based on the design of the stove: 4.1 grams of smoke per hour (g/h)ย  for catalytic stoves, and 7.5 g/h for non-catalytic stoves. Some state lawsย  further restrict airborne particulates, and many new models emit as little as 1ย  g/h. These two approaches — catalytic and non-catalytic combustion — areย  described briefly as follows:

  • In catalytic stoves, the smoky exhaust passes through a coated, ceramicย  honeycomb that ignites particulates and smoke gasses. Catalysts degrade overย  time and must eventually be replaced, but they can last up to six seasons if theย  stove is used properly. Inadequate maintenance and the use of inappropriate fuelย  result in an early expiration of the catalyst. These stoves are typically moreย  expensive than non-catalytic models, and they require more maintenance, althoughย  these challenges pay off through heightened efficiency.
  • Non-catalytic stoves lack a catalyst but have three characteristics thatย  assist complete, clean combustion: ย pre-heated combustion air introducedย  from above the fuel; firebox insulation; and a large baffle to create hotter,ย  longer air flow in the firebox. The baffle will eventually need to be replacedย  as it deteriorates from combustion heat.

The following indicators hint that the fire in a wood-burning stove suffersย  from oxygen deprivation and incomplete combustion, which will increase theย  emission of particulates into the air:

  • It emits dark, smelly smoke. An efficient stove will produce little smoke.
  • There is a smoky odor in the house.
  • There is soot on the furniture.
  • The stove is burning at less than 300ยบ F. A flue pipe-mounted thermometerย  should read between 300ยบ F and 400ยบ F.
  • The flames are dull and steady, rather than bright and lively.

To ensure efficiency, practice the following techniques:

  • Purchase a wood-burning stove listed by Underwriters Laboratories. Stovesย  tested by UL and other laboratories burn cleanly and efficiently.
  • Burn only dry wood. Wood that has a moisture content (MC) ofย less thanย  20% burns hotter and cleaner than freshly cut wood, which may contain half ofย  its weight in water.
  • Burn hardwoods, such as oak, hickory and ash once the fire has started.ย  Softwoods, such as pine, ignite quicker and are excellent fire starters.
  • Make sure the stove is properly sized for the space. Stoves that are tooย  large for their area burn inefficiently.
  • Burn smaller wood rather than larger pieces. Smaller pieces of wood have aย  large surface area, which allows them to burn hotter and cleaner.
In summary, wood-burning stoves, if properly designed and usedย  appropriately for the space, are efficient, clean ways to heat a home.

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