OT(?) Catalytic converters re: N.A. heating stoves

["Scott Willing" <willing@mb.sympatico.ca>]

Gentle stovers,

Please forgive the somewhat off topic questions, but I can't think of 
a better-qualified group.

I'm contemplating replacing the (aging, airtight) wood stove that 
provides all space heating for our small (800 sq ft) rural home.

We are home almost all the time, so tending the stove isn't a big 
problem. If we end up with something that requires less attention 
(i.e. is more automated), that would be a bonus, but the goals for 
upgrading are quite simply to burn less fuel and to burn it as 
cleanly as possible. From deadfall and beaver kill alone, the 
property can supply us indefinitely with (primarily) aspen cordwood, 
so we're not keen to look at pellet stoves et al.

A major purchase decision is whether/not to go for a model with a 
catalytic converter. I'm getting a lot of conflicting information.

1. I have read that "cat's" create, as well as mitigate, air 
pollution problems. I'm not in any way endorsing this particular 
site, but a quick search provided this representative article:

	http://www.junkscience.com/news2/catalyt.htm

Does anyone on the list know what the current wisdom is in this 
regard?

2. Third-hand information from a local suggested that much more 
stovepipe / chimney cleaning was necessary with a cat. This is the 
opposite of what I would have expected; I was immediately suspicious 
that the culprit was the operating mode (seriously damped intake) not 
the cat per se. Again, any informed comment is welcome.

3. The cat must be replaced from time to time. There's an associated 
cost (not inconsequential), but I don't care so much about that as 
the disposal issues associated with the spent converter. Any 
particular concerns here?

There is nothing "wrong" with my current stove; I do not "need" to 
replace it. What I'm trying to avoid is the irony of upgrading only 
to worsen rather than improve the situation, particularly with 
respect to air pollution.

BTW, If this house was suitable for a masonry stove retrofit, that 
would be my prefered choice, but it's simply not practical here.

Hoping the intrusion is not too unwelcome, and very best regards,
Scott Willing

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