Catalytic appliances save time and money

A leading catalytic stove manufacturer quoted as follows:

If the consumer wants:
1. a high efficient stove (burns less wood / BTU),
2. a stove that costs less to operate (burns less wood / BTU),
3. a stove that pollutes significantly less at low and medium burn rates,
4. a stove that will easily run 10 to 12 hours on a load of wood without reloading and while not polluting.
Then a catalytic stove is a smart choice.

One complaint might be that a replacement catalyst can cost the consumer more than $200 in the larger stove models. (4 cu. ft. firebox)
Several stove manufactures have stated that a catalyst will save 5 cords of wood per heating season.
With that in mind, consider the number of cords you burn each season and the cost of a cord of firewood (you pick a cost) - say $200, $350. Naturally the cost per cord depends on where you live and the type of wood you burn. Now do some math and look at the savings.
Exactly how expensive is something that saves you more than $1,000 per season. And for those who get their firewood free, what was the cost and time required to cut it, load it, move it, store it, dry it and etc.
Point is CATALYST SAVE TIME & MONEY.

Also remember, the catalyst in a new EPA certified wood burning stove carries an EPA approved 6 year prorated warranty from the date of purchase of the appliance. The first three years are free replacements should the catalyst go bad. After the first 6 years, starting from the date the appliance was purchased, a FIRECAT replacement catalyst can be purchased (if needed) with yet another special prorated warranty.
Call Applied Ceramics for complete details or log on to appliedceramics.com and click on Hearth Products.

More facts about catalytic appliances and the combustor inside

When the consumer purchases a new EPA Phase II certified wood burning appliance, they also receive in writing a six year prorated limited lifetime warranty on catalytic combustor inside their new appliance.


This EPA approved warranty assures the consumer, that the catalytic combustor in their new woodburning appliance will give years of reliable service.

Visit the Applied Ceramics website for complete details.

Proven facts about catalytic wood burning appliances

Today’s catalytic wood burning appliances deliver 72% or better heating efficiency.

This means that 72% of the energy available in the wood is delivered to the surrounding living area.

In addition to the 72% heating efficiency, catalytic wood burning appliances built today will…
- they reduce air pollution by up to 90%
- they reduce creosote build-up. (up to 90% reduction)
- they generate up to 50% more useful heat from each log.
(this means longer burns per load)
- and they save the consumer up to 1/3 on their fuel cost.
(that's one less cord out of every three)

Remember:
It is important to keep the catalytic combustor in top working condition for the best efficiency of your wood burning appliance.

Remember these three basic tips if it ever becomes necessary to clean the combustor.

Cleaning tip #1
A vacuum cleaner may be used, but never use high pressured air to blow the cells free of any build-up. This can damage the cell walls. Any cell blockage can be removed with the use of a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab as well.

Tip #2
Should the combustor’s cells become masked with fly-ash,...use a paintbrush or soft-bristled brush and dust the combustor gently.

Never use anything abrasive to clean the combustor.

Tip #3
Normally the catalytic combustor requires little or no maintenance because it generates such high temperatures, it is basically self-cleaning. However, should the combustor become masked with soot or creosote,
it is possible to burn the accumulation off by opening the bypass and building a hot fire. Once the hot fire is created, close the bypass halfway and burn for 30 to 60 minutes with the bypass left in this position.
Never use cleaning solvents to clean it.It would be wise to check and clean the combustor, if necessary, before each burning season and inspect the flue system for any signs of creosote build up.
A clean flue helps prevent chimney flue fires.

Creosote plugging in the combustor

Creosote is a brown tar like substance which is the product of incomplete combustion of wood smoke. It results from engaging the combustor too soon or trying to operate the unit when the combustor temperature is too low.

This material must be burned off the combustor.

To burn off the creosote, put the combustor back in the stove and burn the stove at a higher than normal temperature for 30 minutes with the combustor engaged and the by-pass closed. Repeat as necessary until the material can be removed.

Note: If the combustor is coated with creosote, it is likely that the flue pipe and chimney are also coated with creosote.

Be sure to have the stove's exhaust system cleaned before operating at these higher temperatures to avoid a chimney fire.

Be sure the combustor has cooled completely before attempting to handle it again.

Removing Soot

SOOT is a dark brown granular material which can result from burning off the creosote or from burning foreign materials in the stove's firebox with the by-pass closed, such as paper and cardboard.






The same cleaning procedures are used as those for cleaning fly ash.
(see 7/1/11 posting on fly ash)

Removing Fly Ash

FLY ASH is the normal accumulation of light grey ash, both from combustion within the catalytic combustor and from particles carried up from the stove's fire bed. It can be removed by gently brushing with a clean, soft bristled brush or using a low suction appliance, like a vacuum cleaner.