Wood Burner Fireplace: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are designed to use wood for combustion. This allows them to meet stricter emission regulations.

Wood burning stoves offer glowing yellow flames, cozy crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. However, the smoke it creates is contaminated with carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves made of wood are not only beautiful, but also extremely efficient. A high-quality wood burner can achieve an Ecodesign rating as high as 77 percent. It is crucial to get the most out of your wood burner particularly with the rising energy costs. The good news is it's much easier than ever to do!

The amount of moisture in firewood is an important factor that determines how efficient a wood-burning stove is. This is why we recommend only using seasoned wood, that has been dried for a minimum of one year, and more often two years. The more dry the wood is, the better it burns. This results in lesser smoke and fewer harmful emissions.

Another great benefit of a wood-burning stove is that it's an eco-friendly source of fuel, which is fantastic for the environment. When you purchase locally-sourced wood, you also help to promote the active conservation and management of forests. This is beneficial for wildlife.

In terms of maintenance concerned, the only requirement for a wood burner is to take out and dispose of the ash. It's somewhat of a hassle however it is worth it to get the maximum heat out of every log. If you wait for the ashes to completely cool, they can also be utilized as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry and also absorb smells.

A fireplace that burns wood is an old-fashioned classic. While they may be less popular than gas fireplaces however, there's no denying the charm and enthralling sound of a roaring ethonal fire. They're ideal for cozying with on cold winter evenings and are a great way to create an inviting and warm space within your home. A high-quality wood stove will pay off for a long time. Contact us today to learn more about how our expert chimney sweeps can help you get the most out of your stove.

Low Carbon

Burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the best ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. They also aid local woodland management. This is a great option to help the wildlife that lives in your neighborhood.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create very little pollution if they are maintained properly and are used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. However, if they are not maintained well or made of poor quality wood the smoke generated 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 this kind of air pollution could cause irritation to the lung as well as wheezing, coughing, and asthma attacks. It can even lead to serious health issues like cancer, heart disease, or premature death.

Many are concerned that wood-burning stoves will contribute to climate change, but this isn't necessarily true. Wood burning produces energy that is carbon-neutral. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide over its life. After burning, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.

The wood is local, which decreases the amount pollution that is released during transportation. It is crucial to choose hardwoods that are seasoned and of top quality. They will burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.

Modern wood stoves, including those manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick, emit significantly less pollutant than older stoves. They are certified to meet 2020 EPA standards, which are considerably more strict than earlier emission limits.

To avoid a build up of exhaust in your home, all wood-burning stoves should be vented to the outside. By keeping the flames away from the logs, and ensuring you use dry, seasoned and dry wood and all our clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves produce very clear exhaust and have particle levels of 60% or more below the DEFRA limit.

A wood-burning stove that has an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit could provide the most efficient low-carbon option for heating. These units re-ignite gasses and particles from the initial burning in a second phase by mixing them superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are then transported through a catalytic combustion unit for a final third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels well below the standards set by the government.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the highest efficiency that is possible. This results in a minimum amount of particles emitted into the atmosphere when burning wood. The stove's air management system regulates the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process occurs in a sealed, controlled atmosphere. It also regulates the flame's height to maximize heat output and minimise emissions.

This means that your chimney and surrounding area will be a lot cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood causes respiratory problems such as coughing and wheezing in people and can lead to the development of heart diseases such as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health issues. Wood burning can also contribute to poor air quality in cities.

Smoke from poorly combusted timber is a source of fine particulate pollutants as well as harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, as well as other dangerous air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, and formaldehyde. 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 of 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 fireplace with a wood burner. The most valuable woods for heating are hardwoods, such as beech, oak and ash. Hardwoods are dense and have a more BTU than softwoods. They also have more heat.

It is also important to determine if your local authority has rules regarding wood burning. These rules could include rules regarding odors or nuisances and visible emissions or smoke opacity limitations.

If you have a wood stove with a glass door it is essential to keep the glass clean of grime and deposits. You can make use of a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to accomplish this. You can also add bicarbonate soda and water to the glass.

Regular maintenance is crucial for your stove and chimney. Regular chimney cleanings are required to eliminate creosote, and also to ensure that the flue is working properly. It is also important to mark the dates for periodic inspections on your calendar. This will allow you prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your wood stove.

Low Maintenance

Wood burning Stone Fireplaces are popular because they offer natural warmth. This kind of fireplace requires some maintenance and upkeep. If not maintained and cleaned regularly the chimney, flue, and stove could be fire hazards in your home. They also provide warmth in the event of an electrical outage, especially during winter storms where tree branches can fall and power lines can be damaged.

By using a wood stove to heat your home, you'll be able to reduce your carbon footprint as compared to other fossil sources of energy like gas. Modern wood stoves and electric fireplaces inserts are made to meet EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means they emit very little carbon dioxide. The more seasoned the wood is and the better it is, the more efficient it will be and you'll use less to generate the same amount of heat.

They require some maintenance and attention, including making sure they are not in close proximity to combustible materials and a screen is in place. Keeping the grate clear of ash and debris will allow airflow and will stop the fire from dying quickly. It will also help keep 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 obstructions that could hinder ventilation.

A wood-burning stove will need to be tended constantly and it can take a while for a novice homeowner to understand how to light, ignite and maintain a steady fire in the ethanol fireplace. Once you've mastered the art of lighting, your wood stove will become a source for warmth and comfort in your home.

Wood burning fireplaces are around in a variety of forms or styles for over 500 years. They've gained popularity due to their energy efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth of real wood. Talk with your local Regency dealer about the benefits of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're looking to buy a new heater.