How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are engineered to use wood for combustion. This enables them to comply with the stricter emission requirements.
Wood burning stoves create sparkling yellow flames and soft crackling noises. They also provide a primal feeling of warmth. The smoke that is generated contains toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide beautiful and natural heat to the home, and they are incredibly efficient. A good quality wood burner can attain an Ecodesign rating as high as 77%. With the rising cost of energy, it is crucial to make sure you're getting the maximum value from your log stove The good thing is that this is more simple than ever!
The moisture content of firewood is an important factor that determines how efficient a wood-burning stove is. This is why we recommend only using seasoned wood, which has been dried for a minimum of one year, but more often two years. The more dry the wood is more dry, the better it burns. This means less smoke and less harmful emissions.
Another advantage of a wood burning stove is that it's an eco-friendly source of fuel, which is excellent for the environment. When you purchase locally-sourced wood, you are also helping to support the active conservation and management of forests. This is great for wildlife.
The only thing that a wood burning stove needs in terms of maintenance is to take away and eliminate the ash. This can be a little bit of a hassle, but it's worth it to ensure you get most heat from every log. If you allow the ashes to cool completely and then, they can be utilized as a non-toxic and green melting ice. They can also be used to polish jewellery or absorb the odors.
A fireplace with wood burning is an old-fashioned classic. Although they're less well-known than gas fireplaces, the appeal and charm of a fire that is roaring can't be denied. These fires are perfect to cuddle in on cold winter nights, and create a warm and welcoming space in your home. Making the investment in a top-quality wood burner will pay for itself for many years. Contact us today to find out more about how our skilled chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.
Low Carbon
Burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the most efficient ways to save money on logs and keep your home warm. They also help local woodland management. This is a great option to help wildlife in your area.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are maintained properly and are used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. If they aren't maintained properly or use wood of poor quality the smoke produced contains fine particles, also known as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to lungs and other body organs. It also contains carbon monoxide and harmful air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling air pollution can cause lung irritation and lead to asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and irritation of the lungs. It may also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.
Some people worry that using a wood-burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily true. Wood burning is a carbon neutral energy source. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its life. When it is burned, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.
The wood is local, which decreases the amount pollution that is released during transportation. It is essential to select hardwoods that are well-seasoned and of top quality. They will burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.
Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick) have considerably lower emissions than earlier stoves. They have been certified to meet 2020 EPA standards that are significantly stricter than previous emission limits.
To avoid the buildup of exhaust within your home, all wood burning stoves should be vented fully to the outside. All our current DEFRA-exempt and clean-burn stoves produce extremely clear exhaust by keeping the flames in the vicinity of the logs of wood and using dry well-seasoned, clean firewood.
A wood burning stove with an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit could provide the most efficient low-carbon solution for heating. These units ignite gasses and particles from the initial combustion in a second phase by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gasses and particulates are pumped through a catalytic combustion unit for a final and third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels that are below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the highest 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 exhausting of gases, ensuring that the combustion process is conducted in a controlled, sealed atmosphere. It also regulates the height of the flame to minimise emissions and maximise the heat output.
This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from wood that is not fully combusted causes respiratory issues like coughing and wheezing in people and can lead to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health conditions. Wood burning also contributes to poor air quality in cities.
Smoke from poorly burned timber is a source of fine particulate pollutants as well as hazardous air pollutant such as carbon monoxide, as well as other dangerous air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as benzene and formaldehyde. These particles can be absorbed into the lungs, as well as other organs, causing discomfort and injury, and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate surfaces within your home and give them a rough sensation.
It is important to select top quality, seasoned, and dried firewood for your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods such as oak, ash, and beech are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods have a high density and BTU content, and they offer more heat than softwoods.
You should also check whether your local authority has regulations regarding wood burning. These may include nuisance/odor rules and visible emissions or smoke opacity limits.
It is important to keep the glass of a wood stove with glass fronts free of deposits and dirt. You can make use of a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to accomplish this. Alternatively, you can add bicarbonate of soda mixed with a bit of water to the glass.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/2044/2108/dimplex-clement-optiflame-inset-electric-fire-traditional-style-matte-black-led-flame-effect-fire-with-artificial-logs-9cm-inset-depth-and-2kw-adjustable-fan-heater-2108.jpg)Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also essential. Regular chimney cleaning is required to remove creosote, and ensure that the flue is operating properly. Also, make sure you mark dates for inspections on a regular basis in your diary, as this will allow you to avoid expensive repairs and prolong the lifespan of your wood stove.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/2044/2500/flamme-60-152cm-castello-slim-frame-recessed-media-wall-inset-electric-fireplace-with-multi-flame-colours-750w-1500w-2500.jpg)Low Maintenance
Many people prefer installing wood-burning fireplaces due to the natural warmth they create. However, this kind of fire requires some care and maintenance. If not cleaned and maintained regularly, the chimney, flue and stove can all have the potential to cause fires in your home. Fireplaces are also a great source of heat when power is out, especially during winter when snowstorms can cause branches to fall from trees and rip down power lines.
When you use a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint as compared to other fossil fuel sources like gas. Modern wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces are constructed to conform to EPA standards (Environmental Protection Agency) which means that they emit very little emissions. The more seasoned the wood is and the better it is, the more efficient it will be as well, so you'll burn less of it to get the same amount of heat.
These fireplaces require some upkeep and care, including ensuring they are placed away from the ignition source and that a screen is in place. Cleaning the grate of ash and debris will aid in the flow of air and prevent the fire from dying out too quickly and keep your indoors clean. It is important to have your chimney and stove swept at least twice a year to prevent the accumulation of creosote that could create fire hazards or blockage and restrict ventilation.
A wood burning stove needs to be kept in good order and it can take a while for a beginner homeowner to learn how to ignite, light and maintain a constant fire in the fireplace. But, once you've achieved the art of creating and maintaining an open flame in your wood stove, it can be a source of lasting enjoyment that provides warmth and warmth to your home every year.
Wood burning fireplaces have been around in a variety of forms for more than 500 years and have rediscovered their popularity because of their energy efficiency, sustainability, and the natural warmth and aroma of real wood. If you're considering installing a new heater, speak with your local Regency certified dealer to find out more about the advantages of an insert or stove made of wood for your home.