Fireplaces And Stoves 152 views

Wood Burner Fireplace: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

In contrast to traditional open fireplaces, wood stoves are designed and optimised to burn firewood. This enables them to comply with stricter emission regulations.

Wood burning stoves provide dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. The smoke that is generated is contaminated by air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide a beautiful and natural heat to the home, but they are also extremely efficient. A high-quality wood burner can be able to achieve an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77%. It is crucial to get the most value of your wood burner, especially with increasing energy costs. The good news is that it’s now easier than ever before to do!

A key factor in the efficiency of the wood-burning stove is will be the moisture content of the firewood. This is why we recommend only using wood that is seasoned, that has been dried for a minimum of one year, and 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 is an eco-friendly fuel source which is good for the environment. Additionally, by purchasing locally-sourced firewood, you are helping to support the active management of woodlands, which is a great thing for wildlife.

The only thing that a wood burning stove needs in terms of maintenance is that you regularly take away and eliminate the ash. This can be a bit of a hassle but it is worth it in order to ensure that you get the most heat from every log. Furthermore, if you wait 2-3 days for the ashes to completely cool and then reuse them to make an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry or absorb odors.

A fireplace made of wood is a truly timeless classic. Although they’re less well-known than gas fireplaces, the allure and ambiance of a fire that is roaring can’t be denied. These fires are great to cuddle up with on cold nights, and make a warm and inviting space within your home. Choose a high-quality wood stove and you’ll be benefiting for many years to come! Our chimney sweeps are available to help you get the most out of your stove – give us a call now to learn more.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that burn cleanly and efficiently are the most efficient way to save money while keeping your house warm. They also support local woodland management. This is a fantastic option to help wildlife in your area.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create very little pollution if they are properly maintained and are used with dry, seasoned firewood. However, when they are not maintained properly or are using wood of poor quality the smoke generated by them can contain fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can cause irritation to the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also in the. Inhaling this type of air pollution may cause irritation to the lung wheezing, coughing and asthma attacks. It could even cause serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Many are concerned that wood-burning stoves contribute to climate change however this isn’t true. The combustion of wood 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.

The wood is local, which decreases the amount pollution that is released during transportation. It is essential to select hardwoods that have been seasoned and of top quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.

Modern wood stoves, including the ones manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick, emit much less pollution than older stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet 2020 EPA standards, which are significantly more stringent than the previous emission limits.

To avoid a build up of exhaust within your home, all wood-burning stoves must be vented completely to the outside. By keeping flames above the logs and making sure you use dry, seasoned wood, all our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves are capable of producing very clear exhaust. They also have particulate levels that are 60% or more below the DEFRA limit.

A wood-burning stove with a catalytic converter could be the ultimate low carbon heating option. These units re-ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion at a later stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are then transferred to a catalytic unit for a final and third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels far below government standards.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel at the highest efficiency. This results in the emission of very small particles into air when burning wood. The stove’s air management system controls the intake and venting of gases, ensuring that the combustion process takes place in a closed, controlled atmosphere. It also regulates the height of the flame to minimise emissions and maximise the heat output.

This means that your chimney and 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 contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health conditions. Air pollution from wood combustion is a contributory factor in poor air quality in urban areas.

The smoke that is emitted from poorly combusted wood is a mixture of fine particulate pollution and hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can get into the lungs and other organs causing discomfort, damage and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate surfaces within your home, giving them a gritty feel.

When using your wood-burning fireplace, it’s important to only use firewood of the highest quality that has been seasoned and dried. Hardwoods such as oak beech, ash and are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods are dense and have a more BTU than softwoods. They also have more heat.

You should also determine if your local authority has regulations 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 a glass front free of dirt and deposits. You can use a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray for this. Alternatively, you can mix bicarbonate of a soda with a small amount of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance of your stove and chimney is also vital. This includes regular chimney cleanings to eliminate creosote and ensure the proper operation of the flue. Also, make sure you mark dates for inspections on a regular basis in your calendar, as this will allow you to avoid costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your wood stove.

Low Maintenance

Many people opt to install wood-burning fireplaces due to the warmth and natural beauty they provide. However, this kind of fire requires a bit of upkeep and maintenance. The chimney, flue and stove can all be the cause of house fires if not maintained and cleaned regularly. They also provide warmth in the event of a power outage, especially during winter storms, when branches of trees can fall and power lines can be damaged.

When you use a wood stove to heat your home, you will reduce your carbon footprint as compared to other fossil sources of fuel like gas. Modern wood stoves, inserts, and fireplaces are built to meet EPA standards (Environmental Protection Agency), which means they emit very little emissions. The more well-seasoned wood is, the more efficient it will be which means you’ll burn less to generate the same amount of heat.

The fireplaces require some attention and maintenance. They should be kept away from combustible material and have a screen in place. Making sure the grate is free of ash and debris will allow airflow and prevent the fire from dying quickly. It will also help keep your indoors clean. It is important to have your stove and chimney swept at least twice a year to prevent creosote accumulation, which can cause an fire hazard or blockage and limit circulation.

A wood-burning stove needs to be maintained on a regular basis and it could take some time for a new homeowner to master the art of how to light, ignite and maintain a constant fire in the fireplace. Once you’ve learned the art of lighting, your wood stove will become a source for warmth and comfort within your home.

Wood burning fireplaces are around in some form or another for more than 500 years. They’ve gained a lot of attention due to their efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth of real wood. If you’re considering a new heater, talk with your local certified Regency dealer to learn more about the benefits of an insert or stove made of wood for your home.