Technology

Wood Stoves

The modern wood stove 

The modern stove emerged in the early 1990s after the EPA required that all new stoves meet minimum emission requirements.  These new stoves use up to 30 to 40 percent less wood than older models, saving homeowners a lot of work and money. 

Emissions can be regulated using catalytic combustors, like those used in vehicles, or using non-catalytic systems, in which pre-heated air is injected into the fire to ignite smoke and creosote. Generally, non-catalytic stoves are less expensive, but tend to burn through wood more quickly. Many catalytic stoves are the more traditional and expensive cast iron models, but they have long burn times and use wood more efficiently. For a more in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of catalytic and non-catalytic stoves, please click here.

There is a huge amount of information on the web about wood stoves and how to select the right wood stove for your home.  Unfortunately, these guides often overlook emissions and efficiency factors in their recommendations. These specifications are relatively difficult to measure precisely, but represent huge factors in the environmental safety and cost of fueling a given stove.

The Vermont Castings Encore 1450	The Vermont Castings Encore 1450 has a traditional look with an ultra-clean, modern catalytic burn system. The emissions rate of 0.7 grams per hour is a fraction of what is allowed by the EPA and it is probably the cleanest wood stove on the market today. (Pellet and masonry stoves can be even cleaner burning.) They generally sell for around $2,000.
Max Blank Atlanta BF design	The Max Blank Atlanta BF design is a more modern-styled stove that combines a heating system with an upper baking compartment and a lower drawer for wood storage. At 3.1 grams per hour particulate matter, it produces less than half the emissions allowed by the EPA and meets the stricter Washington state emission standards. Prices generally start at $6,299 from US retailers.