Wood Burner Fireplace: The Ugly Facts About Wood Burner Fireplace
How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Unlike traditional open cheap fireplaces wood stoves are designed and optimised to burn firewood. This allows them meet stricter emission regulations.
Wood burning stoves provide dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sounds, and that primordial sensation of warmth. However, the smoke it creates includes carbon monoxide and harmful air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide beautiful and natural heat to the home, but they are also incredibly efficient. A top-quality wood stove can have an Ecodesign rating up to 77%. With rising energy costs it is crucial to ensure you're getting the maximum benefits from your log burner - the good news is that it's much easier than ever before!
The moisture content of firewood is a key factor that determines the efficiency of a wood-burning stove is. We recommend using only seasoned wood that has been dried over a period of at least one year and in many cases two years. The more dry the wood and the more efficient it is to burn. This means lesser smoke and fewer harmful emissions.
Another advantage of a wood burning stove is that it's a low carbon source of fuel, which is excellent for the environment. In addition, by buying locally-sourced firewood, you are helping to support the management of woodlands, which is a great thing for wildlife.
The only thing that a wood burning stove needs in terms of maintenance is to remove and eliminate ash. It can be quite a challenge, but it is worth it to get the most heat out of every log. Additionally when you wait for a couple of days until the ashes completely cool they can be used as an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and remove odors.
A wood burner fireplace is a timeless classic. Although they're not as popular than gas fires but there's no denying the beauty and enthralling sound of a warm log fire. These wall fires are great for snuggling in on cold winter nights, and they make a warm and inviting space in your home. A high-quality wood burner will pay for itself for many years. Call us today to learn more about how our experienced chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that are efficient and clean are the most efficient way to save money while also keeping your home warm. In addition, they also help to support the local woodland management. It's a excellent way to help the wildlife in your local environment.
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves cause minimal pollution when they are maintained properly and are used with dry, seasoned firewood. When they are not properly maintained or when they make use of wood that is not of high quality, the smoke that is produced is a result of fine particles, often referred to as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to the lungs and other organs of the body. It also contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling air pollution can cause irritation to the lungs and trigger asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and lung irritation. It may also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.
Some people worry that using a wood burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily true. Burning wood produces energy that is carbon neutral. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its life. When it is burned carbon dioxide is released into the air.
The wood is sourced locally, which reduces the amount pollution that is produced during the transport process. It is essential to select hardwoods that have been seasoned and of high quality. They will 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 the 2020 EPA standards which are much more stringent than the previous emission limits.
All wood-burning stoves must be fully vented to the outside of your property to ensure that they don't create a haze of exhaust within your home. All of our DEFRA-exempt and clean burn stoves can create extremely clear exhaust by keeping the flames in the vicinity of the wood logs and by using dry, seasoned firewood.
A wood burning stove with a catalytic converter or a hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon heating solution. These units ignite gasses and particles from the initial burning in a subsequent phase by mixing them with superheated air. They then funnel the remaining gasses and particulates through a catalytic combustion combustor for a third and final combustion, further reducing emissions to a level that is well below the government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel at the highest possible efficiency. This results in the emission 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 that the combustion process takes place in a sealed and controlled environment. It also regulates the flame height to reduce emissions and maximize heat output.
This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) from wood that is not fully combusted causes respiratory issues like wheezing and coughing and can lead to the development of heart diseases as well as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health issues. Wood burning is also a contributor to poor air quality in cities.
The smoke from poorly combusted wood is a mixture of fine particulate pollution and hazardous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can get into the lung and other organs and cause discomfort, damage and even death. Dust particles from the air can also cause a hazard to surfaces in your home and give them a rough feel.
When you are using a fireplace that is wood-burning it is essential to use firewood of the highest quality that has been seasoned and dried. Hardwoods such as oak beech, ash and are the best choice for heating. Hardwoods have a higher density and BTU content. They also provide more heat than softwoods.
Check with your local authorities to see if they have any rules about wood burning. These may include nuisance/odor rules 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 grime and deposits. You can use a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray for this. You can also add bicarbonate soda and water to the glass.
Regular maintenance is essential for your stove and chimney. This includes regular chimney cleanings that remove creosote and ensure the proper operation of the flue. It is also recommended to note the dates of your periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your wood stove.
Low Maintenance
Many people opt to install wood burning fireplaces due to the natural warmth they create. However, this kind of fire requires some upkeep and maintenance. If not cleaned and maintained regularly the chimney, flue, and stove could all have the potential to cause fires in your home. These fireplaces are also a great source of heat when power is out, especially during winter when snowstorms can cause branches of trees to fall and rip up power lines.
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, inserts and fireplaces are designed to comply with EPA standards (Environmental Protection Agency) which means they emit very little carbon dioxide. The more well-seasoned wood is the more efficient it will be, so you'll burn less of it to get the same amount of heat.
Fireplaces require some attention and maintenance. They must be kept clear of combustible material and have a screen. Making sure the grate is free of ash and debris will aid in the flow of air and will stop the fire from dying out too quickly. Also, it will keep your home clean. It is recommended that your chimney and stove swept at least twice per year to avoid creosote accumulation, which can cause ethonal fire hazards or blockage and limit circulation.
A wood burning stove will need to be kept in good order and it can take a while for a beginner homeowner to understand how to ignite, light and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've mastered the art of burning, your wood stove will become an excellent source of warmth and comfort in your home.
Fireplaces that burn wood have been in use in a variety of forms for more than 500 years and they've regained popularity due to their efficiency and sustainability, as well as the natural warmth and smell of real wood. If you're thinking about buying installing a new heater, speak with your local certified Regency dealer to learn more about the advantages of a wood stove or an insert for your home.