How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are designed to burn wood. This allows them to meet tighter emissions regulations.
Wood burning stoves are renowned for their warm, yellow flames that dance, crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. However the smoke that it produces contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves made of wood provide beautiful and natural heat to your home, but they are also incredibly efficient. A high-quality wood burner can be eco-friendly up to 77%. It is vital to get the most out of your log stove particularly with the increasing energy costs. The good news is that it's much easier than ever to do!
One of the main factors that determines the efficiency of a wood burning stove is will be the water content of the wood. We recommend using only dried and seasoned wood that has dried for at least one year, and often two years. The dryer the wood is, the more efficiently it burns, which results in less smoke and harmful emissions.
Another great benefit of a wood burning stove is that it's an eco-friendly 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 thing for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is concerned, the only requirement for a wood stove is to regularly remove and scoop up the ash. This can be a little bit of a hassle, but is well worth it in order to ensure that you get the most heat from every log. If you allow the ashes to completely cool, they can also be used as a non-toxic and environmentally friendly melting ice. They can be used to polish jewelry and also absorb the odors.
A wood burner fireplace is a truly timeless classic. Although they're less well-known than gas
wall mount fireplaces, their appeal and charm of a fire that is roaring can't be disregarded. They are ideal to snuggle to on cold winter evenings, and they create a warm and welcoming space in your home. Make sure you invest in a high-quality wood stove and you'll be reaping the benefits for many years to come! Call us today to learn more about how our expert chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn efficiently and cleanly are the best method to save money while keeping your house warm. As an added benefit they can also assist in the local woodland management. It's a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your local environment.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are maintained properly and are used with dry, seasoned firewood. However, if they are not maintained properly or are used with poor quality wood the smoke generated by them is contaminated with fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can irritate the lung and other organs. It also contains carbon monoxide as well as harmful air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling air pollution can cause lung irritation and trigger asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and lung irritation. It may also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.
Some people are worried that wood-burning stoves can cause climate change, 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 burned the carbon absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.
The wood is produced locally, which reduces the amount pollution that is released during transportation. It is essential to select hardwoods that are seasoned and of top quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.
Modern wood stoves, including the ones made by Charlton & Jenrick, emit much less pollution than older stoves. They have been certified to meet 2020 EPA standards, which are considerably more stringent than the previous 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 in the vicinity of the logs, and ensuring you use dry, seasoned wood, all our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves can produce very clear exhaust. They also have particulate levels that are 60 or more lower than the DEFRA limit.
A wood burning stove with a catalytic converter or a hybrid unit can provide the best low-carbon heating solution. These units ignite the particulates and gases from the initial combustion at a later stage by mixing them with superheated air. They then funnel the remaining particulates and gasses through a catalytic combustor for a third and final combustion, further decreasing emissions to levels well below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the highest efficiency that is possible. This results in a minimum amount of emissions of particles into the air when burning wood. The stove's air management system controls the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process takes place in a controlled, sealed environment. It also regulates the flame's height to reduce emissions and maximize the heat output.
This means your chimney and surrounding area will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) caused by incomplete combustion of wood can cause respiratory problems like wheezing and coughing in people and can contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health problems. 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 as well as hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can reach deep into the lung and other organs and
free standing fireplace cause discomfort, damage and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate the surfaces of your home and give a gritty feel 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 effective woods for heating are hardwoods like beech, ash, and oak. Hardwoods are extremely dense and have higher BTU than softwoods. They also provide more heat.
Contact your local authority to find out whether they have rules about wood burning. They could include rules for nuisance or odor and visible emissions, or opacity limits for smoke.
It is essential to keep the glass of a wood stove that has an open front that is
free Standing Fireplace of grime and deposits. You can use a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to do this. Alternately, you can add bicarbonate of soda with a little water to the glass.
Regular maintenance is crucial for your stove and chimney. Regular chimney cleanings are necessary to remove creosote, and to ensure that the flue is operating properly. Also, make sure you mark dates for periodic inspections in your calendar, since this will allow you to avoid expensive repairs and prolong the life of your wood burner.
Low Maintenance
Many people prefer installing wood burning fireplaces because of the warmth and natural beauty they provide. This type of fireplace requires a bit of maintenance and upkeep. If not cleaned and maintained regularly the chimney, flue and stove could all have the potential to cause fires within your home. Fireplaces are also a great source of heat when the power goes out, especially in winter when snow storms can cause branches to fall from trees and knock down under-hanging power lines.