When you rely on a wood stove for heat, anything you can do to improve its performance will make your home more comfortable and save you money. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can give your stove a boost. Here are five of the most effective ways to make your wood stove more efficient.

How to Improve Wood Stove Performance

1. Use the Right Fuel

The wood you put in your stove matters. Seasoned wood—wood which has been given time to dry and cure before being burned—is more efficient than green wood, and it also produces less smoke. Make sure your firewood is well-seasoned, and keep it in a dry area.

2. Improve Heat Distribution

There are several ways to improve the heat transfer from your stove to your home. Iron fans and other stove toppers help, or you can install an electric fan to force air across the stove’s surface.

3. Clean Stove & Chimney

A sooty, clogged stove and chimney doesn’t just create a mess; it also strangles airflow and smothers flames. Contact a local chimney cleaning service to clear out the debris and get your wood stove working at full capacity.

4. Seal Stove & Damper

Too much airflow into the stove can also be bad, causing a fire to burn too quickly. Sealing your stove and damper, especially potential gaps around the stove door, helps control airflow for the perfect controlled burn.

5. Install a Catalytic Converter

Smoke is mostly composed of unburned material. A catalytic converter takes advantage of that untapped reservoir by exposing the smoke to chemicals that make it easier to burn. This secondary burn generates more heat from the same amount of fuel.

If you need a chimney inspection or cleaning to make your wood stove run more efficiently, contact Charlie's Chimney Sweeps and Masonry in New Richmond, OH. Their experienced crew performs quick, reliable maintenance throughout the Greater Cincinnati area to ensure your stove or fireplace is clean, efficient, and free of damage. To schedule service, call (513) 553-0229 or send an email to lori@cchimney.com.