In B.C, all new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) emission standards. All stoves come with a label that specifies the emissions output in grams per hour. You should choose a stove that will meet your heating needs and help maximize efficiency. It must be properly installed, operated within its optimum heating range, and regularly maintained. It cannot be truly efficient unless your home is also properly insulated and weatherproofed.
Smoke is generated by incomplete combustion, which can be caused by lack of oxygen, low burning temperature, wet or green wood, and other factors. Generally, any stove design feature that's been proven to promote more complete combustion is desirable. These features include insulated baffles heated primary and secondary air, firebox insulation, and advanced designs that promote secondary combustion.
If combustion gases go up your chimney without being fully burned, much of the energy in your firewood is wasted. Baffles increase the efficiency of your stove by increasing turbulence. They hold the gases inside the firebox longer, directing them back into the fire so they will burn more fully and make the fire burn hotter. An insulated baffle keeps the temperature of the gases high to promote this secondary burning.
Inside the stove, pipes or channels allow preheating of the primary and secondary air which can mix with the smoke and ignite to give secondary combustion and ensure that combustion is more complete.
Firebox insulation (such as firebrick) stores heat and keeps the combustion temperature high and stable. Heat storage warms your home long after the fire is out. A consistently high firebox temperature promotes more complete combustion.
These certified stoves often include design features that promote secondary combustion. Most of these features are aimed at burning off the dangerous chemicals and toxic substances before they leave the firebox. This is achieved when:
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