Wood Burner Fireplace: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, unlike traditional open fireplaces, are engineered to burn wood. This allows them to comply with stricter emission regulations.
Wood burning stoves produce glowing yellow flames that dance and warm crackling sounds. They also give you an incredibly warm feeling. The smoke that is generated is contaminated by air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood offer a stunning and natural heat to the home, they are also extremely efficient. A quality wood stove can attain an Ecodesign rating of up to 77 percent. It is vital to get the most value of your log stove particularly with the increasing energy costs. The good news is that it’s much 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 suggest only using wood that is seasoned, that has been dried for a minimum of one year, but more often two years. The more dry the wood, the better it burns. This means less smoke and less harmful emissions.
A wood burning stove offers the advantage of being an eco-friendly fuel source which is great for the environment. When you purchase locally-sourced wood, you also help to promote the active management and conservation of forests. This is beneficial for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is concerned, the primary requirement of a wood burner is to take out and dispose of the ash. It’s quite a challenge, but it is worth it to get the best heat from each log. Furthermore that if you wait a couple of days for the ashes to fully cool, they can be reused as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry and also absorb odors.
A fireplace with a wood burner is a truly timeless classic. Although they’re less popular than gas fireplaces but there’s no denying the appeal and appeal of a roaring fire. They’re ideal for cozying with on cold winter nights and are an ideal way to create a warm and inviting space within your home. Choose a high-quality wood stove and you’ll start enjoying the benefits for years to come! Our expert chimney sweeps are on hand to help you get the most value from your stove. Give us a call now to learn more.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the best ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. They also aid local woodland management. This is a fantastic way to support wildlife in your area.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are maintained properly and operated with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. If they aren’t properly maintained or when they make use of wood that is not of high quality, the smoke that is produced contains fine particles, often referred to as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to the lungs and other organs of the body. Carbon monoxide, toxic air pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also in the. Inhaling air pollution can cause irritation to the lungs and cause asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing and lung irritation. It could also cause heart disease, cancer or premature death.
Many people are concerned that using a wood burning stove will contribute to climate change however this isn’t necessarily true. Burning wood is a carbon-neutral energy source. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide over its lifetime. When burned carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
The wood is produced locally, which reduces the amount of pollution released during transportation. It is also important to select top quality, seasoned hardwoods as these will have an extended and more consistent burn than softwoods.
Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those made by Charlton & Jenrick) have considerably lower emissions than earlier stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet 2020 EPA standards which are considerably more stringent than the previous emission limits.
To avoid the buildup of exhaust within your home, all wood burning stoves must be vented completely to the outside. All our current DEFRA-exempt and clean burn stoves can produce very clear exhaust by keeping the flames above the logs of wood and using dry and seasoned firewood.
A wood-burning stove equipped with a catalytic converter can provide the ultimate low carbon heating option. These units ignite gasses and particles from the initial combustion in a second stage by mixing them superheated air. They then channel the remaining particulates and gasses through a catalytic combustor for the third and final combustion, further decreasing emissions to levels that is well below the government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel with the highest efficiency. This results in minimal particles emitted into the atmosphere when burning wood. The stove’s air management system regulates the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process takes place in a controlled, sealed atmosphere. It also regulates the flame’s height to minimize emissions and increase heat output.
This means your chimney and its surroundings will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) caused by incomplete combustion of wood can cause respiratory problems like wheezing and coughing and can contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health problems. 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 organs of the lungs which can cause discomfort, damage and even death. Airborne dust can also harm the surfaces of your home, and can give an unpleasant sludge-like feel to rooms.
It is essential to use only good quality, seasoned and dried firewood when you use your wood burner fireplace. The most effective woods for heating are hardwoods such as beech, oak and ash. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content. They also provide more heat than softwoods.
Check with your local authorities to find out if they have any rules about wood burning. These may include nuisance/odor rules and visible emissions or opacity limits for smoke.
If you have a wood burner with glass doors it is essential to keep the glass free of dirt and deposits. You can use a dry towel or oven cleaner spray for this. You can also add bicarbonate soda mixed with water to the glass.
Regular maintenance is essential for your stove and chimney. This includes regular chimney cleanings that remove creosote and ensure the proper functioning of your flue. You should also mark the dates of periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your wood burner.
Low Maintenance
Wood burning fireplaces are popular because they offer natural warmth. However, this kind of fire requires some upkeep and maintenance. The chimney, flue and stove are all potential sources of house fires, if they’re not cleaned and maintained regularly. Fireplaces are also an excellent source of warmth when power is out, especially in winter, when snow storms could cause branches of trees to fall and rip up power lines.
When you use a wood stove to heat your home, you will reduce your carbon footprint when compared to other fossil sources of energy like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are made to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means that they produce very low emissions. The more well-seasoned the wood is the more efficient it will be as well which means you’ll burn less of it to get the same amount of heat.
These fireplaces require some upkeep and attention, such as ensuring they are placed away from burning materials and a screening is installed. Making sure the grate is free of ash and debris will help air flow and prevent the fire from dying out quickly. It will also help keep your home clean. You should have your chimney and stove swept at least twice per year to avoid creosote accumulation, which can be a dangerous fire hazard and a clog that can restrict circulation.
A wood burning stove will need to be kept in good order and it can take a while for a beginner homeowner to master the art of how to ignite, light, and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you’ve mastered the art of lighting, your wood burning stove will be a source for warmth and comfort within your home.
Wood burning Fireplaces And Stove are around in a variety of forms or styles for more than 500 years. They’ve gained a lot of attention because of their efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth that comes from wood. Talk to your local Regency dealer about the advantages of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you’re planning to purchase an entirely new heater.
