when shopping for a wood or gas hearth appliance this certainly holds true. With that
in mind, we have tried to provide definitions to some of the terminology used in order
to make you, the consumer, more confident and comfortable when shopping for these
appliances. WE HOPE THIS HELPS!
Wood Terminology
Catalytic Wood Stove - A stove which utilizes a catalytic combustor to burn-off
particulate emissions generated while burning a fire. An example of such a system
can be found in all automobiles on the road today.
** Catalytic combustors were required in all EPA Certified wood stoves after July 1990. Today most
stoves do not utilize this technology.
Non-Catalytic Wood Stoves - Stoves which utilize a system of baffles rather than
catalyst in order to burn-off emissions. Many stoves sold today utilize this technology.
Note: All wood stoves sold at Friends of the Sun utilize this technology.
EPA Certified - A stove that meets the emission requirements set forth by the EPA.
Wood Stove Insert - A wood stove designed to be inserted into an existing fireplace.
Convection Wood Stove - A stove that utilize air to move heat from its surface to
other parts of a structure.
Radiant Wood Stove - Radiates heat from its surface.
Air Wash - A process in which part of the combustion air is directed across the glass
of a wood stove in order to keep the glass clean from soot and ash.
Outside Air Kit - A kit that connects to a wood stove in order to draw air from outside
the home rather than from the living space. This system helps to solve the problem
associated with newer home construction in which a limited amount of air is available for
combustion to take place. *Required in all mobile home installations.
Rear Heatshield - A metal shield which attaches to the back of a wood stove in order
to reduce the stove's clearance to combustibles.
Bottom Heatshield - A metal shield which attaches to the bottom of a wood stove to
offer protection to any combustible material located below the hearth.
Flue - The point at which smoke leaves a stove and enters the chimney system.
Ceramic Glass - High temperature glass used in wood stoves.
Single-Wall Chimney Connector - The pipe which connects a wood stove to the
chimney.
Double-Wall Chimney Connector - A pipe with in a pipe that allows for the chimney
connector to be 6" away from a combustible product versus the 18" required on single
wall chimney connector. Often used in conjunction with a stove mounted rear
heatshield.
Class A Chimney - A manufactured chimney system that utilizes a system of
insulation or air space in order to maintain a 2" clearance to combustibles. This type
of chimney is the only chimney allowed to pass through combustibles. A less
expensive approach to a masonry system, with a stronger warranty.
Gas Terminology
Direct Vent (DV) - A system that utilizes a coaxial pipe to draw combustion air from
outside the home while at the same time exhausting through the same pipe. This
system is completely sealed from the house. This type of venting allows the system to
vent either vertically through a rood or horizontally through an exterior wall.
B-Vent (BV) - Much like a wood stove this system uses a single pipe to exhaust while
drawing its combustion air from the home. This system must vent vertically.
Vent Free (VF) - No venting is required with this type of system.
Pilot Light - The application of a flame passing over dissimilar metals to produce
millivolts of electricity. Stoves and fireplaces that utilize a pilot light do not require electricity to
operate.
Gas Insert - A gas appliance designed to be installed into an exiting fireplace.
Gas logs - A system made up of a burner and movable logs that are installed into an
existing fireplace.
Gas Fireplace - A self contained firebox that is installed into a wall.
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