Types of Wood Stove Fans

 

Types of Wood Stoves

Cross section of a non-catalytic stove revealing combustion air/exhaust flow patterns, large baffle and high level combustion air supply.  Cross part of a catalytic stove revealing combustion air/exhaust flow patterns, the catalytic element, and also the bypass damper.

  The two general approaches to meeting the EPA smoke emission limits are non-catalytic and catalytic combustion.  Both approaches have proved effective, but there are performance differences.  Even though the majority of the stoves in the marketplace are non-catalytic, a number of the more popular high-end stoves use catalytic combustion.  Because they are slightly more complicated to operate, catalytic stoves are more appropriate to people who like technology and are prepared to maintain the stove properly therefore it continues to function at peak performance.

 Non-catalytic stoves

Non-catalytic stoves do not use a catalyst, but have three internal characteristics that produce a fantastic environment for complete combustion.  All these are firebox insulation, a huge baffle to produce a longer, hotter gas flow path, and pre-heated combustion air introduced through small openings above the fuel in the firebox.  The baffle and a few other internal parts of a non-catalytic stove will require replacement from time to time since they deteriorate with all the high heat of efficient combustion.   Catalytic stoves are effective at creating a long, even heat output.  All catalytic stoves have a lever-operated catalyst bypass damper that's opened for beginning and reloading.  The honeycomb degrades over time and have to be replaced, but its durability is largely at the hands of the cooker user.  The motorist can last over six seasons if the cooker is used correctly; but if the stove is over-fired, inappropriate fuel (like garbage and treated timber) is burnt, and when routine cleaning and maintenance are not done, the motorist may break down in no more than 2 years.  (EPA notice: Garbage must never be burned in a wood stove or fireplace.

Finding the Proper Size and Model

 Intro to Wood Stoves

HPBA When choosing a wood stove, consider how big the space you will be heating.  Wood stoves come in various sizes, and may be sized to heat one room or an entire house. Small stoves are suitable for heating a living area or a seasonal cabin. 

In bigger homes with elderly central furnaces, you can use a little stove to get “zone heating" a specific area of your home (family or living room).  This can reduce gas consumption, conserve energy and save money while maintaining comfort. 

Moderate stoves are acceptable for heating little houses, medium-sized energy-efficient houses, and cottages utilized in winter.  Large stoves are acceptable for bigger, open design homes or older, leakier houses in colder weather zones.

 EPA maintains an information of EPA certified stoves.  However, it's ideal to speak to experienced hearth product retailers that know the performance characteristics of the products they sell.  When visiting neighborhood retailers, take along a floor plan of your house; educated retailers will be able to assist you in finding a wood stove, fireplace insert, or other hearth product that's well suited to the area you would like to heat.