How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
In contrast to traditional open fireplaces, wood stoves are engineered and designed to burn firewood. This allows them to meet stricter emission standards.
Wood burning stoves offer dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sound and that innate feeling of warmth. The smoke produced contains toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves made of wood are not just stunning, but they are also incredibly efficient. A top-quality wood stove can have an Ecodesign rating up to 77 percent. It is crucial to get the most benefit of your wood burner in light of increasing energy costs. The good news is it's easier than ever to do!
The moisture content of wood is one of the main factors that determines the efficiency of a wood-burning stove is. This is why we recommend only using wood that is seasoned, which has been dried for at least one year, and more often two years. The dryer the wood is the more efficiently it burns, which means less smoke and less harmful emissions.
A wood-burning stove also has the benefit of being an eco-friendly fuel source which is beneficial to the environment. If you buy locally-sourced wood, you can also help to support the active management and conservation of woodlands. This is beneficial for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is involved, the sole requirement of a wood burner is to scoop up and dispose of the ash. It's a bit of a hassle, but it is worth it to get the best heat out of every log. If you wait for the ashes 2-3 days to completely cool and then, they can be utilized as a non-toxic and green ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry or absorb the odors.
A wood burner fireplace is a timeless classic. Although they're not as popular than gas fires but there's no denying the beauty and enthralling sound of a warm log fire. These fires are great to cuddle to on cold winter nights, and make a warm and inviting area in your home. A high-quality wood stove will pay off for a long time. Our chimney sweeps are available to assist you in getting the most from your stove - give us a call now to find out more.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn efficiently and cleanly are the most efficient method to save money while also keeping your home warm. Additionally, they also aid in local woodland management, which is a fantastic way to support the wildlife in your local environment.
When properly maintained, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves emit very little pollution when they are used with dry and seasoned wood. When they are not maintained properly or use wood that is of poor quality the smoke produced is a result of fine particles, also known as particulate pollutants, which can irritate the lungs and other organs of the body. It also contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling this type of air pollution could cause irritation of the lungs as well as wheezing, coughing, and asthma attacks. It could even lead to serious health issues like cancer, heart disease or premature death.
Some people worry that using a wood burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily the case. Wood burning produces energy that is carbon neutral. Through the life of a tree, it absorbs carbon dioxide, and when burned the carbon absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.
Since the wood is sourced locally, this reduces the amount of pollution that is released when it is transported. It is important to use hardwoods that have been seasoned and of top quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.
Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those made by Charlton & Jenrick) have significantly lower emissions than older stoves. They are certified to meet 2020 EPA standards that are significantly more stringent than the earlier emission limits.
All wood-burning stoves must be fully vented to the outside of your property to ensure they do not create a haze of exhaust inside your home. All of our current DEFRA-exempt, clean burn stoves can create very clear exhaust by keeping the flames above the wood logs and by using dry well-seasoned, fireplacesandstove clean firewood.
A wood-burning stove that has a catalytic converter could be the best low carbon solution for heating. These units ignite gasses and particles that were ignited during the initial burning in a second stage by mixing them superheated air. They then funnel the remaining gasses and particulates through a catalytic combustion combustor for a third and final combustion, the reduction of emissions to levels well below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are designed to burn fuel with the greatest efficiency that is possible. This results in the emission of very small particles into air when burning wood. The stove's air management system regulates the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process occurs in a controlled, sealed environment. It also regulates the height of the flame to maximise the output of heat and reduce emissions.
This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood causes respiratory issues like coughing and wheezing in people and contributes to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health issues. Wood burning also contributes to poor air quality in cities.
The smoke that is emitted from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate matter and dangerous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and other organs causing discomfort, injury, and even death. Dust particles from the air can also cause a hazard to surfaces in your home, giving them a gritty sensation.
It is important to select high-quality, seasoned and dried firewood when you use your wood burner fireplace. Hardwoods like oak, ash, and beech are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods are incredibly dense and have a higher BTU than softwoods. They also have more heat.
You should also determine if your local authority has any regulations regarding wood burning. These may include rules regarding odors or nuisances and visible emissions or smoke opacity restrictions.
If you have a wood burner with a glass door it is important to keep the glass clear of dirt and deposits. This can be done with a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray. You can also add bicarbonate soda mixed with water to the glass.
Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also essential. This includes regular chimney cleanings that remove creosote and ensure proper functioning of the flue. You should also mark the dates of your periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your wood burner.
Low Maintenance
Many people choose to install wood burning fireplaces because of the warmth and natural beauty they provide. This kind of fireplace requires some maintenance and upkeep. The chimney, flue and stove are all potential sources of house fires, if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. Fireplaces can also be a great source of heat when the power goes out, particularly in winter, when snow storms could cause tree branches to fall and rip up power lines.
Using a wood burner for heating will reduce your carbon footprint substantially compared to other fossil fuel sources like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are designed to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards which mean they produce very low emissions. The more well-seasoned the wood is, the more efficient it will be and you'll use less of it to produce the same amount of heat.
The fireplaces require some care and maintenance. They should be kept away from materials that ignite and have a screen in place. The air flow can be improved by keeping the grate clean of ash and other debris. This will help keep the fire burning longer and your home tidy. You should have your chimney and stove cleaned at least two times per year to prevent the accumulation of creosote, which can cause an fire hazard or blockage and restrict the airflow.
It could take a while for a new homeowner to master the art of how to light, ignite and maintain a continuous fire in the fireplace. But, once you've mastered the art of building and maintaining the fire in your wood burner, it will be a source of constant enjoyment that provides heat and warmth for your home year after year.
Wood burning fireplaces are around in some form or another for more than 500 years. They've gained popularity due to their efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth that comes from wood. If you're considering installing a new heater, speak with your local Regency certified dealer to find out more about the advantages of a wood stove or an insert for your home.
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