Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are engineered to use wood for combustion. This allows them to meet the stricter emission requirements.
Wood burning stoves produce glowing yellow flames that dance and warm crackling noises. They also give you a primal feeling of warmth. The smoke that is produced contains toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood offer a stunning and natural heat to your home, but they are also extremely efficient. A high-quality wood burner can have an Ecodesign rating of up to 77 percent. With the increasing cost of energy, it is important to ensure that you get the most benefit from your log burner - the good thing is that this is much simpler than ever before!
The amount of moisture in firewood is an important factor that determines how efficient a stove that burns wood is. This is why we recommend only using seasoned wood, which has been dried for a minimum of one year, and more often two years. The more dry the wood, the more efficiently it burns, which results in less smoke and less harmful emissions.
Another great benefit of a wood-burning stove is that it's a low carbon source of fuel, which is great for the environment. Additionally, by purchasing locally sourced firewood you are aiding in the active management of woodlands, which is a great option for wildlife.
The only thing a wood burning stove requires in terms of maintenance is that you regularly take away and eliminate the ash. It can be somewhat of a hassle but it's worth it to get the maximum heat out of every log. In addition, if you wait 2-3 days for the ashes to fully cool, they can be reused as an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry or absorb the odors.
A fireplace that burns wood is an old-fashioned classic. Although they're less popular than gas fires, there is no denying the beauty and allure of a roaring log fire. They're great for snuggling with on cold winter nights and are a perfect way to create a warm and inviting space inside your home. Investing in a high-quality wood stove will pay off for a long time. Our chimney sweeps are on hand to help you get the most value from your stove - give us a call today to find out more.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn clean and efficiently are one of the best ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. In addition, they can also assist in local woodland management, a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your local area.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create very little pollutant if they are maintained properly and operated with dry, seasoned firewood. If they are not properly maintained or when they make use of wood that is not of high quality, the smoke that is produced contains fine particles, also known as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to the lungs and other body organs. It also contains carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling these types of air pollution could cause irritation of the lungs wheezing, coughing and asthma attacks. It can even cause serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, or premature death.
Many are concerned that wood-burning stoves will contribute to climate changes, but this isn't necessarily true. Burning wood produces energy that is carbon-neutral. Throughout the lifetime of a tree, it absorbs carbon dioxide, and when it is burned, the carbon dioxide absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.
Because the wood is harvested locally, this reduces the amount of pollution emitted in the process of transportation. It is important to use 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 made by Charlton & Jenrick) have significantly lower emissions than older stoves. They are certified to meet 2020 EPA standards that are significantly more strict than previous emission limits.
To prevent a build-up of exhaust in your home, all wood-burning stoves should be vented fully to the outside. By keeping the flames in the vicinity of the logs and ensuring that you use dry, seasoned and dry wood and all our clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves are capable of producing very clear exhaust. They also have particle levels of 60% or more below the DEFRA limit.
A wood-burning stove that has an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon solution for heating. These units ignite gasses and particles released from the initial combustion in a subsequent phase by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are pumped through a catalytic combustion unit to create a final and third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels well below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are designed to burn fuel with the greatest efficiency that is possible. This results in the release of very small particles into air when burning wood. The air management system of the stove controls the intake and ventilation of gases to ensure the combustion process occurs in a safe and controlled environment. It also regulates the flame's height to maximize the output of heat and reduce emissions.This means that your chimney and surrounding area will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood causes respiratory problems such as wheezing and coughing and can contribute to the development of heart diseases as well as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Air pollution from wood burning is also a contributory factor in poor urban air quality.
Smoke from poorly combusted timber has fine particulate pollution and harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide as well as other harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene and formaldehyde. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, and other organs, causing discomfort, harm, and even death. Airborne dust can also harm the surfaces of your home, and can give a gritty feel to rooms.
It is essential to use only top quality, seasoned, and dried firewood when you use your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods such as oak, ash, and beech are the best choice for heating. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content and they provide more heat than softwoods.
It is also important to determine if your local authority has regulations regarding wood burning. These rules could include rules on odors and nuisances and visible emissions or smoke opacity limits.
If you have a wood stove with a glass door it is important to keep the glass clean of deposits and grime. You can use a dry towel or oven cleaner spray for this. You can also add bicarbonate soda and water to the glass.
Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also vital. This includes regular chimney cleanings to eliminate creosote and ensure proper functioning of your flue. Also, make sure you mark dates for inspections on a regular basis in your diary, 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 because of the natural warmth they generate. However, this kind of fire requires a bit of upkeep and maintenance. If not maintained and cleaned regularly the chimney, flue and stove could be potential sources of fires in your home. These fireplaces also provide heat in the event of power outage, particularly during winter storms when tree branches can fall and power lines could be knocked down.
If you use a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint when compared to other fossil fuel sources like gas. Modern wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces are built to conform to EPA standards (Environmental Protection Agency), which means they produce very little emissions. The more well-seasoned the wood is the more efficient it will be as well which means you'll burn less to generate the same amount of heat.
The fireplaces need some maintenance and care. They should be kept away from combustible material and have a screen. Keeping the grate clear of debris and ash will allow airflow, which will prevent the fire from dying out too quickly and keep your indoors clean. You should have your chimney and stove cleaned at least two times per year to avoid creosote accumulation that could create fire hazards or blockage and restrict circulation.
A wood-burning stove will need 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. Once you've learned the art, your wood stove will become a source for warmth and comfort within your home.
Wood burning fireplaces have been in use 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 wood. Talk with your local Regency dealer about the benefits of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're planning to purchase an upgrade to your heater.
