Reasons for smoke spillage.

A survey of households that use wood for heating showed that a large majority of users had experienced smoke spillage at least once. Smoke spillage can be reduced or eliminated through good system design and proper appliance operation.

The smell of wood smoke can be pleasant to some, but inside your home its a sign that the wood burning system is not functioning properly. The smoke contains harmful air pollutants which can be irritating or even dangerous in high concentrations. Properly designed, installed and operated wood burning systems do not spill smoke into the house.

There are three main reasons why some wood burning systems smoke:

1. Bad system design: There are design characteristics that can make a wood burning system more likely to spill smoke. Most of these characteristics result in low flue temperaature and low draft. Outside wall chimneys and long flue assemblies before exhaust reach the chimney are just a couple.

2. Extreme negative pressure in the house: Energy efficiency practice and new building code rules are making our houses more and more air tight. This makes the house energy efficient, but also makes them sensitive to depressurization when air is exhausted from the house. Other exhaust appliances used in the house can cause extreme negative pressure in the house when they are operating.

3. Improper woodstove firing technigue: When a wood fire is starved for air it smolders, producing a relatively cool, smoky fire. The temperatures throughout the system are low. During a smoldering fire, the chimney will not be receiving the hot gas it needs to produce strong draft.















And remember, when refueling first open the by-pass before opening the firebox door.

Important tips on firing a catalytic stove.

Catalytic stoves require special firing techniques. Instruction for these techniques will be found in the stove manufacturer's manual. If the manual for the appliance has detailed firing instructions, they should be followed. This is very important for smooth operation of the stove.




















In short, the combustor needs light-off temperature before the by-pass should ever be closed.

A temperature of 500 degrees F. must be focused on the catalytic combustor for as least 25-30 minutes before the by-pass is closed. This will assure you that the combustor has had ample time to light-off. This is just a rule of thumb for any catalytic stove. Remember to read the manufacturer's manual before building the first fire in you stove or contact Applied Ceramics.

Rule of thumb for starting a cold woodburning stove.

As a rule of thumb, when starting a fire in a cold stove, the combustor must have 500 o F. of temperature focused on it for 20 to 30 minutes to achieve proper light-off.
The by-pass should be in the open position during this period of time.
This will allow the stove, the catalytic combustor and the fuel to stabilize at a proper operating temperature.

Even though temperature can reach 600 o F. within a few minutes after the fire has started, if the fire is turned down too soon to a low burning condition, it will result in the fire and/or the catalytic combustor going out.

At the end of a burn cycle, it’s possible that the amount of burning charcoal remaining might not provide sufficient temperature or fuel for the catalyst to stay lit.

During the refueling stage, if the stove’s firebox has an internal temperature below 500 o F., it is best to fire the stove up for 10 to 15 minutes.
This will provide increased temperature and proper amounts of volatile gases for the catalyst to operate efficiently.

However, when refueling a hot stove that has an internal temperature above 500 o F., no re-firing is necessary.

Refer to the manufacturer's stove operating manual for complete details.

Woodstove Humor

What actually is a wood burning appliance by definition?

Definition:

Wood stove or heater…
Wood heater means an enclosed, wood burning appliance capable of and intended for space heating or domestic water heating that meets all of the following criteria:






















An air-to-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber averaging less than 35-to-1 as determined by the test procedure performed at an accredited laboratory, like Omni.

A usable firebox volume of less than 0.57 cubic meters (20 cubic feet);

A minimum burn rate of less than 5 kg/hr (11 lb/hr) as determined by the test procedure prescribed in §60.534 of the U.S. EPA Federal Register and performed at an accredited laboratory;

A maximum weight of 800 kg (1,760 lb). In determining the weight of an appliance for these purposes, fixtures and devices that are normally sold separately, such as flue pipe, chimney and masonry components that are not an integral part of the appliance or heat distribution ducting, shall not be included.

Installation of a new EPA-certified Catalytic Stove

Improper installation of your woodstove can result in a house fire or cause greater pollution.
If a stove isn't installed properly, it can also affect the draft of the stove. Proper draft is very important in reducing pollution and maintaining high efficiency. Before having your stove installed, be sure to check with local authorities regarding building codes and permits, and notify your fire insurance company.

Below are a few tips that address the importance of proper installation:

1. By using a certified installer, they can determine the proper draft of your stove, make sure all the seals are tight, and ensure that your stove is installed with all safety measures necessary.

2. They will be able to make sure proper flue size and installation is being used.

3. They will make sure that the draft system seals are as tight as possible to prevent smoke from leaking into your house and to contribute to good draft.

Contact your local certified wood stove installer for complete details.

Again, this is very important for your safety and comfort.

Wood Burning and Global Warming

We hear so much about the need to reduce the production of the so-called greenhouse gases.

When their atmospheric concentration increases, these gases, mainly carbon dioxide, cause the average global temperature to rise with potentially disastrous results.

Fuel burning is the main cause of the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Wood, however, differs from the fossil fuels such as oil and gas because it is a renewable fuel.

As a tree grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and stores it in the wood as carbon. This carbon makes up about half of the weight of wood.

When wood is burned, carbon dioxide is released again to the atmosphere. The same amount of carbon dioxide would be released if the tree died and were left to rot on the forest floor. Our forests can be a perpetual source of fuel, provided they are cared for and managed properly.

Why does the U.S. EPA regulate and certify woodstoves?

Residential woodstoves are one of the nation's largest sources of particulate matter (smoke). Woodsmoke also contains significant amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and many other organic compounds. These pollutants are known to cause respiratory and cardiovascular illness and contribute to atmospheric visibility problems and property damage. The EPA regulations require woodstove manufacturers produce stoves that emit less pollution. As consumers replace their older woodstoves with cleaner, more efficient, new stoves, the quality of the air will improve. Particularly in residential neighborhoods where wood burning stoves are popular.

















Be sure and ask your local stove dealer about the high efficient, clean burning woodstoves.