How to Choose a Wood Stove
Advanced Technology Wood Stoves
Wood stove technology has changed significantly over the last two decades. Advanced technology appliances burn about 1/3 more efficiently and can produce 90% less smoke than conventional wood burning appliances. New wood burning appliances sold in BC must be EPA emissions certified (or have the equivalent CSA certification), and in the Regional District of Central Okanagan it is illegal to install an appliance that does not have this certification.
Smoke is generated by incomplete combustion which can be caused by lack of oxygen, low burning temperature, wet or green wood and other factors. Advanced technology wood stoves promote more complete combustion, reducing smoke emissions. These features include insulated baffles, heated primary and secondary air, firebox insulation and other advanced designs that promote secondary combustion. For more information on advanced technologies, see the CMHC Guide to Residential Wood Heating.
Non-Catalytic Stove Information
Advanced combustion systems have features that create the conditions necessary to burn off smoke. These features include: firebox insulation to keep temperatures high; baffle plates to reflect gases back into the flames, create turbulence, and provide condition for more complete combustion; heated secondary air supply to ensure that enough oxygen is present and the temperature remains high.
The video below from the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association provides great information on getting the most out of your non-catalytic stove
Catalytic Stove Information
In a Catalytic Stoves, smoke passes through a ceramic honeycomb coated with a metal such as platinum or palladium, called a catalytic combustor. The catalyst allows smoke gases and particles to ignite at a much lower temperature (250°C) than they would without the combustor (500°C). The result is that smoke and harmful substances burn more completely. Catalytic Stoves have the advantage of producing long, even heat outputs; however, catalysts can deteriorate over time and must be replaced. As with all stoves, it is important to understand how to operate and maintain your catalytic stove correctly.
The video below from the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association provides great information on getting the most out of your catalytic stove.
Pellet Stoves
Pellets are made of wood by-products or other biomass that has been dried and compressed into small cylinders. Pellet stoves include a hopper to hold the fuel and a screw auger (usually electric) to move the pellets from the hopper into the combustion chamber. Pellets usually burn cleanly because they're fed to the combustion chamber at a controlled rate and are matched with the right amount of air to maintain an optimum burn rate. That's why they have the potential to operate at significantly lower emission levels than cordwood stoves.
Most pellet stove designs require electricity to operate their fans and auger motors. Therefore, they do not operate during a power failure. They tend to cost more than wood stoves and they need regular service. But they have advantages over cord wood stoves, in addition to significantly lower emission levels: easy loading, convenient, automatic operation, and precise control over heat production.
Fireplaces
The function of a conventional fireplace is to provide ambiance and they should not be used for heating. Most fireplaces lose over 90% of the heat from the fire out the chimney, and they remove much of the heated air from the room! Conventional fireplaces do not have the pollution reduction features found on EPA certified woodstoves, resulting in an incomplete burn and excessive smoke. In BC, residential wood burning is responsible for 25% of fine particulate matter, the air pollutant with the most serious impact on human health.
Contact Us
Kate Bergen
Regional Air Quality Coordinator