How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
In contrast to traditional open fireplaces, wood stoves are specifically designed and optimized to burn firewood. This allows them meet stricter emission regulations.
Wood burning stoves offer glowing yellow flames, cozy crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. The smoke produced contains toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces And Stove and stoves that burn wood provide a beautiful and natural heat to the home, they are also incredibly efficient. A top-quality wood burner could have an Ecodesign rating up to 77 percent. With the increasing cost of energy, it is crucial to ensure you are getting the maximum benefit from your log burner - the good news is that this is much simpler than ever before!
The amount of moisture in firewood is an important factor that determines the efficiency of a wood-burning stove is. This is why we recommend only using wood that is seasoned, that has been dried for at least one year, and often two years. The more dry the wood is and the more efficient it is to burn. This results in 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 fantastic for the environment. Additionally, by purchasing locally-sourced firewood, you are aiding in the active management of forests, which is a great thing for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is concerned, the only requirement of a wood burner is to regularly remove and scoop up the ash. It can be a bit of a nuisance, but is well worth it to ensure you get most heat from every log. Additionally, if you wait 2-3 days for the ashes to completely cool and then reuse them as an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry and absorb smells.
A fireplace with a wood burner is a timeless classic. While they may be less popular than gas fires, there is no denying the appeal and enthralling sound of a warm log fire. They're great for snuggling up to on cold evenings and are a great method of creating an inviting and warm space inside your home. Investing in a high-quality wood burner will pay off for a long time. Contact us today to learn more about how our experienced chimney sweeps can assist you in getting the most out of your stove.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn cleanly and efficiently are the most effective method to save money while keeping your house warm. As an added benefit they can also assist in local woodland management, a fantastic way to support the wildlife in your area.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. However, if they're not maintained properly or are used with poor quality wood, the smoke produced by them is contaminated with fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can irritate the lungs and other organs. It also contains carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling these types of air pollution may cause irritation to the lung wheezing, coughing and asthma attacks and may even cause serious health issues like cancer, heart disease or premature death.
Many people are concerned that using a wood-burning stove can cause climate change however this isn't necessarily true. The combustion of wood produces energy that is carbon neutral. Throughout the lifetime of a tree it absorbs carbon dioxide, and when it is burned, the carbon absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.
The wood is produced locally, which reduces the amount of pollution released during transportation. It is crucial to choose hardwoods that are well-seasoned and of top quality. They 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 tested and certified to meet 2020 EPA standards, which are significantly more stringent than previous emissions limits.
All wood burning stoves should be fully vented to the outside of your home to ensure that they do not cause a build-up of exhaust in your house. By keeping the flames away from the logs and making sure you make use of dry, seasoned wood, all our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves produce very clear exhaust and have particulate levels that are 60 or more lower than the DEFRA limit.
A wood burning stove with a catalytic converter or hybrid unit can provide the best 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 gases and particulates are transferred to a catalytic unit for a final and third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels well below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the highest efficiency possible. This results in the release of a small amount of particles into the air when burning wood. The stove's air management system controls the intake and exhausting of gases, ensuring the combustion process takes place in a closed, controlled atmosphere. It also regulates the height of the flame to maximise heat output and minimize emissions.
This means that your chimney as well as the surrounding area will be a lot cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood causes respiratory problems such as coughing and wheezing in people and contributes to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health conditions. Air pollution caused by wood burning is an element that contributes to poor air quality in urban areas.
Smoke from poorly combusted wood 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, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as benzene and formaldehyde. These particles can get into the lungs and other organs, causing damage, discomfort and even death. Airborne dust can also harm the surfaces of your home, and can give a gritty feel to rooms.
It's important to use only good quality, seasoned and dried firewood when you use your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods such as oak, ash, and beech are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods are dense and have a higher BTU than softwoods. They also provide more heat.
You should also check whether your local authority has any rules regarding wood burning. These could include nuisance/odor regulations and visible emissions, or the opacity limit for smoke.
If you have a wood burner with glass doors it is important to keep the glass clear of dirt and deposits. You can make use of a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to do this. Alternately, you can add bicarbonate of 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 as well as ensure proper operation of the flue. It is also recommended to note the dates of periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your wood burner.
Low Maintenance
Wood burning fireplaces are very popular due to their 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 are not cleaned and maintained regularly. Fireplaces are also an excellent source of warmth when power is out, especially during winter when snow storms can cause branches to fall from trees and rip down power lines.
By using a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint compared to other fossil fuel sources like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are made to comply with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means they produce very low emissions. The more seasoned the wood is, the more efficient it will be as well which means you'll burn less of it to produce the same amount of heat.
Fireplaces require some maintenance and care. They must be kept clear of the combustible materials and have a screen in place. The air flow can be improved by keeping the grate clean of ash and other debris. This will keep the fire burning longer and your home clean. It is recommended that your stove and chimney swept at least twice per year to prevent the build-up of creosote, which can be a dangerous fire hazard and a clog that can restrict ventilation.
A wood burning stove has to be maintained on a regular basis and it can take a while for a new homeowner to understand how to ignite, light and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've mastered the art, your wood burning stove will be an ideal source of warmth and comfort in your home.
Fireplaces that burn wood have been around in one form or another for over 500 years and they've gained a new following due to their effectiveness as well as their sustainability and natural warmth and scent of real wood. If you're thinking about buying the purchase of a new heater, consult with your local Regency certified dealer to learn more about the advantages of a wood stove or insert for your home.