Green Means

Wood Stoves that Are EPA Certified

By Shannon Scott

            Can using a wood stove be green? 

            It depends.   

            Oil, gas, coal, and wood all emit carbon dioxide when burned, however, if one tree is planted for every tree that is burned this offsets CO2 emissions.  Trees absorb CO2 and produce oxygen. 

            Wood burning emits microscopic particulates that can cause serious lung and circulatory problems.  This is one reason it’s essential to use a newer Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated stove that burns more efficiently reducing these particulates.

            New wood burning stoves have lower emissions, and fewer air pollutants than older ones, but can still emit up to 100 times more pollution than some gas or oil furnaces.  Some counties have banned wood stoves for this reason. 

            The following tips will help you select an efficient, clean burning wood or pellet stove. 

EPA Rated

            Don’t use an older, pre 1988, wood stove that vents straight up a chimney.  Older stoves can emit up to 300 percent more soot than newer ones.  Check the back of your current stove.  The date of manufacture along with a permanent EPA tag ought to be there.  EPA ratings differ depending upon size and model.  Check and compare.

Size Matters

            Wood stoves need to be burned fairly hot.  Burning at close to stove’s maximum temperature rating ensures efficiency and burns up as much soot or creosote as possible.  Select a stove based upon the square footage it will heat at maximum Btu output. 

            If your home has an open floor plan, then consider all the square footage the wood stove’s heat will reach.  If rooms are more enclosed, select a smaller wood stove.  If a home is huge with an open floor plan, high ceilings, and excellent breeze pathways you may select a larger stove.  If you can’t decide between two sizes, go smaller.

            Don’t install a big stove in a small area, only to burn it at half capacity.  This not only burns fuel less efficiently and creates a greater build up of soot, but you’ve wasted your money on a too-big stove. 

            Never buy a big stove just to open windows if interior space gets too hot.  This is wasting wood, and not a sound environmental practice – don’t’ do it.  Think green.

            Our home is 2,888 square feet, but the main area the wood stove heats is about 1,200 square feet – the larger common room, entry, and library.  We selected a Vermont Castings “Resolute Acclaim” non-catalytic model that is rated for 1,600 square feet.  On cold winter days and nights, we burn it hot, around 500 degrees.  It’s efficient, and it’s just right.           

           

            I recommend double walled pipes for safety, even if your local codes don’t mandate them.  Double walled chimneys get hot, but if someone does accidently touch them they won’t get severely burned as with single walled pipes.

            Stoves are labeled with their EPA efficiency rating and the amount of heat they’re capable of producing.  You can compare manufacturers and models on line then locate a dealer for the model you choose.  Shop wisely.

Catalytic or Non-Catalytic

            Catalytic stoves have converters inside that re-burn gasses and particulates that would otherwise go up the chimney.  Catalytic stoves cost more, and the catalytic feature must be replaced every five years or so for an additional expense, use of resources, and recycling issue.  The converters can be damaged by foreign matter like plastic or other refuse that should not be burned in a wood stove – or anywhere else.

Wood or Pellets

            Pellet stoves don’t require you to head out wood cutting or buy cord wood.  These stoves burn small compacted wood or corn pellets, purchased by the ton.  They generally burn cleaner and convert more energy to heat than wood stoves.  Pellet stoves don’t always require a standard chimney as they can be vented outdoors through a pipe in an outside wall.  As a result these stoves can be installed in nearly any room.  These stoves are a little more complex in that they have thermostats and require electricity to feed the pellets.  They lack some of the esthetics of wood stoves and release more dust into indoor air. 

Installation

            Wood stoves can be installed by savvy do-it-yourselfers.  They must be placed on noncombustible materials, such as tile, brick, or stone.  Clearances from walls will depend upon installation instructions included with the wood stove and local codes.  Wood burning and pellet stoves must be placed away from anything combustible or flammable.  Pipes and chimneys must also be installed properly.

           

Clean Equals Safe

            Chimneys need to be cleaned annually.  Built up soot can cause chimney fires and catch your house on fire. You can buy chimney brushes, hop on the roof and do it yourself, or hire a chimney sweep.

            Winter’s coming.  Burn clean and think green.