‘The noreasng costs and lined supe of fossil ues re generating tnerest iv buring viced to nest Fores Many homeowners are staling wood-buming soves, or traplaces 2s 8 backup sytem orn tandem Pi renicraiterese Wood can be sr atactve source of energy for is bustion principles as an efficient stove, so that wood is re- duced to @ minimum amount of ash. Unlike wood stoves, ‘modern wood furnaces can easily be converted to burn oll ‘Some will switch automatically so that you can have a choloe of fuel and can let the furnace run on all for angtny periods. When fueled with wood, it will typically require at- tention about twice a day (tig. 9) To distribute the heat from a furnace, air is blown ‘around the firetox and circulated through ducts in the: ‘house just as in a conventional forced air heating syst ‘Some furnaces can be used with hot water systems. In this case, the firebox is surrounded by water Which is then piped into baseboard radiators or radiant floor systoms. ‘A wood furnace is a large investment of $2,000 to ‘$4000. This Is equivalent to buying a complete house- heating system. Talk to owners as well as manufacturers before making a purchase. In addition, plan to make wood yyour primary home heating fuel (act just a supplement) to make the investment worthwiile, ; Stove Location First, determine where you would like your stove. Although the location you personally prefer may be imprac- tical for one or more reasons, you should consider where youwantit located Ideally, the best, location for heating staves is in the center of the lowest section of your home. Many early homes were built around fireplaces, but the tendency now 'stolocate fireplaces on exterior walls. The ideal location is, seldom available in an existing house, and compromise may be necessary, But in new construction, the stove can be located for maximum otfectiveness and efficiency. Certain areas of the house such as bedrooms, utility rooms, and pantries can be kept cooler. Areas of more sedentary use such as TV rooms, livingrooms, and batnrooms should be warmar than areas of maderate ac- tivity such as kitchens, playrooms, or hallways. Ifthe stove must be located out from the center of the house, place it along the axis of the ridge of the roof, and slightly off ‘center. This will Bring the chimney out near the top of the ‘oof, which is desirable. If you must put a stove at one and of the house (o take : ‘aovantage of an existing chimney, for example}, a metal 1 = Secondary Oratt ee |) Primary Ora. | Fig. 7. Outiine of a stove showing a type of double draft ‘and baftle system to increase efficiency. ‘Gide ns beret, ol tr dena peace ec a furnace may also be used to circulate heat and maintain a 3 eee In many respects a Js an ideal location tor a Sore coal sangeet Plpeaieaoy sages Chimneys ‘The chimney is an integral part of a wood stove, even though its not usually provided with the stove. To perform well, a stove must be correctly connected to a good chimney. The best type of chimney is masonry with a ceramic flue liner. Its main disadvantage is the considerable cost of con- struction. However, this is not such a major factor if the labor is done by the homeowner. Prefabricated stainless steel chimneys have increased in popularity. They are fairly easy to install and will meet 3 most codes for safety ifinstalled correctly ‘There are several types of prefabricated metal chimneys suitable for use with wood stoves. All have moderately high insulating characteristics. Straight sections are available in ’ various lengths plus all the necessary fitings and hardware . Remember, wood stoves requte high temperatures or | best operation. Because of this, ind of pre {abrcced metal cmon is unoeltesory eth woodstove applications. It is a triple-wall chimney which has no insulation, but uses circulating air for cooling. This system works too well in cooling the chimney. The result ‘may be substantial increase in condensation (creosote) and a reduction in the draft. Therefore, this chimney has been { Unsatisfactory in some installations. ‘The least expensive chimney is one already in the at Fig. 8, A circulating stove heats primarily through radia- tion. The outside of the stove normally does nat get hot enough to burn a person’s skin.‘should not be u: ewlining inst Remember stn “tong mney. The. tromi © best possible d » efficient the combu this: Most fires attributed to wood stoves traced toa Geel chiney. Tereone tT taaeRee chimeye aro ote er ERED on clea n/p fetvin gon distgnoes eke ie Heme or along ancusieo ica 4 ‘Donor connect a wooaburer ithe sane chimney as fan ol burner or agas Due? Asa general ue, use one iif oreaon amigo 4 ‘Safety Proper safeguards mustibe considered in the installa- tion and operation of a homia wood nating device. Wood Biss od oom orien oe situctions and fail to comply sefey cx eI Talay, cherk mea tiig cnrgy SERRE E damper is working pro ‘chimney, fireplace, and hearth have sound mor neither remodeling of walls nor moving of fixtures has created a fire hazard. Check used stoves for cracks or defects such as faulty legs. hinges. or draft openings. Repair small cracks with stove cement. Large cracks should be welded by an expert Nw stoves should be of sturdy materials euch a5 cast ironor stee! and should be purchased rom reliable desler no employs stove experts, Ifa safe chimney is not available, instal a complete chimney and stovep pe The stove must be suitable for the fuel being used. & fireplace or stove must have grates for burning coal ty in Installation Coal and wood fires must have a continuous supply of r entilation is essential for proper combustion anc ormal air leakage inmost dwellings is usually suti- cient: A window may need to bereft open slightly in well Inculated and weatherstripped houses On occasion, it may | be necessary to pipe in air tor the wood stove or furnace, chaust fans juciiously; they may draw smoke and ‘used safely, stoves must be located with adequate 2 fram all combustible materials such as untreated "codes for minimum distances from combustibie materials and correctinstallation methods. es ee anal eam aa "Fig. 9. Central hheating unite be an economi way to heat a initial installation costs are high. internal cross-sactional area not less than that ofthe flue callar ofthe stove. The stovepipe should be as straight ana short s possible, preferably witn not more tnan one or, at mest, two sweeping 90-degree elbows or the equivalent. should have no Shatp turns. The horizontal portion should nt be more than 75 percent as long as the vertical portion ‘of he chimney above the point of connection. Connection of the stovepine fo the chimney must also be in accordance with the menutacturer’s recommendations and. local codes Safe Operation J pita slstecoroperationot awodsiove requis Line ‘ollowings s.coa “ene So that creosote does not collect in the chimney, and ptoper burning so fuels not wasted and carbon monoxide Goes not form. Dry wood burns more efficiently and with Jess creosote buildup than green wood The heating value cf wood depends on moisture content and aiso on species. For more information see "How to Use Hardwood Firewood,” lowa State University Cooperative Extension Service publication Pm-682 Nover use a flammable liquid to start or rekindle a tie Inspect. the chimney at least onco a yoar for creosote buildup and chimney defects. Remove creosote buildup with along-handled flat Blade or witha chimney scraper. you havea chimney tre, call the fre department, and then Gump large amounts of coarse salt on the fire in the fireplace or stove to reduce as much as possibla the amountofairgoing up the chimney Remember sale operation depends primarily on com mon sense and continual checking for fire hazards Summary lowa homeowners may ish to consider installation of a ‘wood burning unit to at least assist in-heating their house Efficient stoves and furnaces are available for burning ‘wood, but care in Installation and aperation is essential for sale, dependable performance Wood is one available energy resource that is renew: able But an adequate, economical supply of fuel wood should be available before this alternative is considered, Wood 2s a fuel can provide completely adequate home’ heating with the proper burning unit. Consider the advan tages and disadvantages of wood compared with other fuels forhome heating in new and existing houses. en File: Human Housing 2 such as.this can home even though © ious SuRplyoleintormee = a a a ste ee S