Wood Stoves

If you're installing a new woodstove in your home, remember you need a building permit. The best way to make sure your woodstove is installed correctly is to hire a WETT-certified professional to install it. 

WETT stands for Wood Energy Technology Transfer. They promote the safe and effective use of wood-burning systems in Canada. Visit WETT Inc. for more information on certification and training. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors 

Make sure to place smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your house (at least one in the room containing the wood stove) and test regularly. 

Whether you are installing a stove or you want to make that yours was installed properly, you should check the clearances from combustibles such as furniture, curtains and the house itself. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards call for a 36-inch clearance between a room heater stove and any combustible surface. This distance may be reduced with properly installed heat barriers such as sheet metal and brick. You should check your stove manual for proper reduced clearances. 

If you do not maintain enough air space between the stove and the wood framing or the chimney flue and the wood framing, pyrolysis may occur. Normally a 2x4 ignites at 600 degrees Fahrenheit. If the heating appliance is too close, it will draw the moisture from the 2x4. When this happens repeatedly, the 2x4 can ignite as low as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, this happens in three to five years. 

Ensure you have a proper wall and floor protection and required clearances. If you have a "zero clearance" fireplace, be sure it has not been altered. This type is safe if installed to the manufacturer's specifications. 

You should burn dry seasoned wood, which produces more heat and prevents creosote buildup. Flue vents should be inspected according to manufacturer guidelines and cleaned by a qualified individual. 

Wood supply is another important factor. You should never burn green wood, which is moist wood that has not been allowed to dry out. It puts out less heat and more creosote. Split and stack wood and allow it to dry out for at least six months before burning. Do not burn cardboard, milk cartons, trash, or artificial logs (unless specifically made for this purpose) in your stove because this type of product burns extremely hot and can crack masonry and warp the metal. It will be easier to maintain your stove by frequently adding small amounts of wood instead of adding large amounts infrequently. 

To start a fire in your wood stove: 

Once the wood is burning brightly, add more dry wood to the fire. Use the draft control to adjust the burn rate. Never light or rekindle a fire with kerosene, gasoline, or charcoal lighter fluid. When re-fueling, open the door slowly to prevent smoke spillage. 

Keep the area around the heating unit and flue clear (most certified appliances and municipalities have minimum clearance distances that you must meet). Keep a fire extinguisher in a central spot that's known to all household members. Be certain that it is in good working order and that everyone knows how to operate it. Children must be supervised at all times when wood stoves are in use. 

Adding more wood 

To reload your fire box: 

Allow it to burn hot for about 15 minutes, then return the draft to the desired level. By doing this, you can reduce creosote build-up by as much as 30%. 

Creosote vapors are produced when wood burns and condenses in the chimney flue of a slow burning fire. These vapors collect on the inside of the chimney flue in the form of a charcoal called creosote. This build up is much more rapid in airtight stoves as the air flow is reduced. Reports of complete chimney blockage due to creosote have been found within two hours of installation. When a chimney fire occurs, this creosote buildup ignites and can cause temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Chimneys are not designed for this temperature and damage to the flue can be the result. 

Learning how your appliance operates is an important factor in safe operation. Experimenting with different woods and draft settings will give you a good idea of the most efficient combination, producing the most heat and least amount of creosote. It is also recommended you have your chimney checked and cleaned at least two times a year.