10 Situations When You ll Need To Be Aware Of Wood Burner Fireplace
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 the stricter emission requirements.
Wood burning stoves offer warm, yellow flames that dance, crackling sound and that innate sensation of warmth. However the smoke that it produces is contaminated with carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are not only gorgeous, but they are also extremely efficient. A top-quality wood stove can have an Ecodesign rating up to 77%. It is vital to get the most benefit of your log stove particularly with the increasing energy costs. The good thing is that it's now easier than ever before to do!
The amount of moisture in firewood is a key factor that determines how efficient a wood-burning stove is. This is why we suggest only using wood that is seasoned, which has been dried for at least one year, but more often two years. The more dry the wood is and the more efficient it is to burn. This means less smoke and less harmful emissions.
A wood burning stove also offers the advantage of being an environmentally friendly fuel source, which is beneficial to the environment. In addition, by buying locally-sourced firewood, you're aiding in the active management of forests which is a good option for wildlife.
The only thing a wood burning stove requires in terms of maintenance is that you regularly remove and eliminate the ash. This can be a bit of a hassle, but it's worth it to ensure that you get the most heat from each log. If you wait for the ashes 2-3 days to completely cool and then, they can be used as a non-toxic, green ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry and absorb smells.
A fireplace with wood burning is a timeless classic. Although they're not as popular than gas Wooden Fireplaces, there is no denying the beauty and allure of a roaring fire. These fires are perfect to cuddle in on cold winter nights, and they make a warm and inviting space within your home. Choose a high-quality wood stove and you'll start enjoying the benefits for years to be! Our expert chimney sweeps are available to assist you in getting the most value from your stove. Give us a call now to find out more.
Low Carbon
Burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the best ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. In addition, they can also assist in the local woodland management. It's a fantastic way to support the wildlife that lives in your local area.
When properly maintained, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves emit little or no pollution when they are operated with dry and seasoned firewood. However, when they are not well maintained or using wood of poor quality the smoke that is produced by them contains fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can irritate the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, air pollutants that are toxic like formaldehyde and benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also found in. Inhaling air pollution can cause lung irritation and trigger asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing and lung irritation. It can also lead to heart disease, cancer or premature death.
Some people are concerned that wood-burning stoves can cause climate change, but this isn't necessarily true. The combustion of wood produces energy that is carbon neutral. In the course of the life of a tree, it absorbs carbon dioxide and when it is burned, the absorbed carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
Because the wood is harvested locally, it reduces the amount of pollution emitted when it is transported. It is important to use hardwoods that are seasoned and of high quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.
Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those made by Charlton & Jenrick) have much lower emissions than older stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet the 2020 EPA standards which are much more strict than previous emissions limits.
All wood-burning stoves must be fully vented to the outside of your home to ensure they do not create a haze of exhaust inside your home. By keeping flames above the logs and making sure you use dry, seasoned wood and all our clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves are capable of producing very clear exhaust and have particulate levels 60 or more lower than the DEFRA limit.
A wood burning stove equipped with an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon heating solution. These units ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion at a later stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gasses and particulates are transported through a catalytic combustion unit for a final and third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels that are below the government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel with the highest efficiency. This results in the emission of a small amount of particles into the air when burning wood. The air management system of the stove controls the intake and exhaust of gases, ensuring that the combustion process takes place in a controlled and sealed environment. It also regulates the flame height to minimise emissions and maximise heat output.
This means your chimney and the surrounding area will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood can cause respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing in people and contributes to the development of heart disease as well as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. The smoke caused by wood burning is a contributory factor in poor urban air quality.
The smoke from poorly combusted wood is a mixture of fine particulate pollution as well as hazardous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, as well as other organs, causing discomfort and injury, and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate the surfaces in your home and give the impression of a rough surface to rooms.
It's important to use only top quality, seasoned, and dried firewood when you use your wood burner fireplace. The most efficient woods for heating are hardwoods such as beech, oak and ash. Hardwoods are dense and have a higher BTU content than softwoods. They also provide more heat.
You should also check whether your local authority has rules regarding wood burning. These could include nuisance/odor regulations and visible emissions or the opacity limit for smoke.
It is crucial to keep the glass of a wood stove that has an open front that is free of grime and deposits. This can be done with dry cloths or oven cleaner spray. Alternately, you can mix bicarbonate of a soda with a small amount of water to the glass.
Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also essential. This includes regular chimney cleanings to eliminate creosote and ensure the proper functioning of the flue. Be sure to note 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.
Low Maintenance
Many people choose to install wood burning fireplaces due to the warmth and natural beauty they provide. This kind of fireplace needs some maintenance and upkeep. If it is not maintained and cleaned regularly, the chimney, flue and stove can all be fire hazards within your home. Fireplaces are also a great source of heat when power is out, especially in winter, when snow storms could cause tree branches to fall and rip up power lines.
If 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 have been designed to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards which mean they produce very low emissions. The more seasoned wood you use the more efficient your stove will be. You'll require less wood to achieve the same amount of heat.
The fireplaces wooden need some care and maintenance. They should be kept away from combustible material and have a screen installed. The flow of air will be improved by keeping the grate free of ash and other debris. This will keep the fire burning longer and your home in good order. It is recommended that your stove and chimney swept at least twice per year to prevent creosote build-up which could be an extremely dangerous fire hazard as well as a blockage that can hinder ventilation.
A wood burning stove has to be kept in good order and it could take some time for a novice homeowner to learn how to light, ignite, and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace stove. Once you've mastered the art, your wood stove will become an ideal source of warmth and comfort in your home.
Wood burning fireplaces have been around in one form or another for over 500 years. They've gained popularity because of their energy efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth of wood. Talk with your local Regency dealer about the advantages of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're looking to buy an upgrade to your heater.