| Despite the recent boom in sales of wood pellet | | | | available as kits and are usually installed in the flue |
| and corn stoves, over 70% of homeowners | | | | collar. To monitor the stove temperature after |
| wishing to supplement their existing heating | | | | adding a catalytic combustor, you should also |
| systems still rely on wood stoves. | | | | install at least one heat sensor on the stove body |
| Wood stoves have a fuel efficiency rating of | | | | or stove pipe. |
| 63%. This is 20% less efficient than wood pellet | | | | Several manufacturers sell retrofit kits, and they |
| or corn stoves. However, catalytic wood stoves | | | | may be available from wood stove retailers. They |
| have advertised efficiencies of 70%-80%. The | | | | are not appropriate for all types of stoves. Again, |
| catalytic in a catalytic stove is the honeycomb | | | | be sure to follow the manufacturer's installation |
| shaped, palladium coated, catalytic combustor. | | | | and operating instructions. |
| Here's how it works: | | | | A quality wood stove can be purchased for as |
| Gases given off by the wood will burn if the fire | | | | little as $300. Compare this to $850 for a catalytic |
| is 1,000 degrees F or higher. If the fire is turned | | | | stove, or $2000 for a wood pellet stove. |
| down and the gases inside the firebox are less | | | | Choosing the correct size wood stove for your |
| than 1,000 degrees F, they won't burn. However, | | | | home is important, and easy to figure out. By |
| when the gases pass through a catalytic | | | | multiplying the number of square feet you want |
| combustor, the palladium metal acts as a catalyst | | | | to heat by 35 BTU, you will get the approximate |
| and causes the gases to burn at temperatures as | | | | BTU size stove to fit your needs. For instance, a |
| low as 500 degrees F. This allows the stove to | | | | 1,000 square foot home would require a 35,000 |
| produce long lasting, even heat while extending | | | | BTU stove. |
| the burn time of each load of wood. | | | | Proper venting is critical to reducing pollution and |
| Catalytic wood stoves are also known as EPA | | | | maintaining high efficiency. Before having your |
| certified wood stoves because they comply with | | | | stove installed, be sure to check with local |
| the particulate emission limit of 4.1 grams per hour | | | | authorities regarding building codes and permits, |
| initiated by the EPA in 1988. | | | | and notify your fire insurance company. |
| If you have an older wood-burning appliance, | | | | Additionally, consult a certified installer about the |
| consider upgrading to one of thenewer catalytic | | | | need for a flue liner in your masonry chimney. |
| wood burning stoves certified by the U.S. | | | | This liner can help maintain proper draft and |
| Environmental Protection Agency | | | | prevent icing, which can block your chimney. Use |
| (EPA).High-efficiency appliances not only have | | | | the manufacturer's recommended flue diameter. |
| lower emissions but they are also often safer, | | | | An improperly sized flue won't provide the draft |
| since complete combustion helps to prevent a | | | | needed to operate the stove. |
| buildup of flammable chimney deposits called | | | | If you live near a source of cheap, or free |
| creosote. | | | | firewood, there's no more cost effective or |
| If you want to retrofit an existing non-catalytic | | | | popular heating appliance than the wood burning |
| wood-burning appliance with acatalytic combustor, | | | | stove. |
| you can buy a catalytic damper. These are | | | | |