Modern homes are designed to conserve energy and reduce heating demands. Often, a single space heater can provide most of the heat for a well-insulated, average-sized home, though it is important to choose the right appliance for the right application. Wood stoves are the most common space- heating appliances and can be installed almost anywhere in the house, provided there is sufficient clearance and proper routing of the chimney.
It is important to seek expert advice when purchasing a new stove. A high-output stove may provide too much heat for your space and may be turned down most of the time, producing a smoky fire. An undersized stove for the space may deteriorate quickly because of constant over-firing. Wood stoves also differ in their use of emission-reduction technology (catalytic or noncatalytic) and heat transfer (direct radiation, convection or combination).
Fireplace inserts are like wood stoves, but designed to be installed within the firebox of an existing masonry fireplace. A chimney liner is installed within the existing masonry chimney to vent the insert’s emissions outdoors, and improve performance and safety. Fireplace inserts greatly reduce the emissions produced compared to conventional fireplaces an, unlike conventional fireplaces, are able to effectively transfer heat to the house
If you are considering installing an insert into an open hearth, be aware that the net emissions from your house may increase from greater use of the appliance, even though the amount of emissions from each use is greatly reduced.
All advanced wood stoves and fireplace inserts manufactured and sold in B.C. must meet emission certification and labeling requirements under the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation. The regulation specifies emission limits for particulate matter, and labeling and testing requirements, for new solid-fuel (wood) stoves, fireplace inserts and factory-built fireplaces manufactured after November 1, 1994.
The Ministry of Environment is reviewing and revising this regulation. See Proposed Changes to the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation.
Emission-certified appliances that meet emission standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will have a label affixed to the back of the stove indicating the emission output. These requirements should not be confused with safety-certification requirements or labels.
Pellet stoves and inserts burn pellets made from compressed wood wastes that are fed automatically from a storage hopper into the combustion chamber. Pellet stoves require less operational maintenance than wood-fuel appliances, as one hopper-load of fuel can last 24 hours. They have some of the lowest emission ratings and are highly efficient heating appliances. Pellet stoves do require the use of electricity to operate, although some will run on batteries and not be affected by power outages.
Other space-heating wood-fuel appliances include high-efficiency fireplaces, masonry heaters and cook stoves.
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