How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are engineered to use wood for combustion. This allows them meet stricter emission regulations.
Wood burning stoves are renowned for their dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sounds and that primal feeling of warmth. However the smoke they release contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide a beautiful and natural heat to your home, and they are incredibly efficient. A good quality wood burner can attain an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77%. With the increasing cost of energy, it is important to make sure you're getting the maximum benefits from your log burner - the good news is that it's much simpler than ever!
The moisture content of wood is one of the main factors that determines how efficient a stove that burns wood is. This is the reason we suggest only using seasoned wood, which has been dried for a minimum of one year, but more often two years. The more dry the wood is, the better it burns. This means less smoke, and less harmful emissions.
A wood burning stove is an environmentally friendly fuel source, which is beneficial to the environment. If you buy locally-sourced wood, you are also helping to contribute to the active conservation and management of forests. This is beneficial for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is involved, the sole requirement for a wood stove is to scoop up and dispose of the ash. This can be a little bit of a hassle but it's worth it to ensure that you get the most heat from every log. If you allow the ashes 2-3 days to completely cool They can also be used as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery or absorb smells.
A wood burner fireplace is a truly timeless classic. Although they are less popular than gas fireplaces, the appeal and ambiance of a roaring fire cannot be disregarded. These fires are great for snuggling in on cold winter nights, and they create a warm and welcoming area in your home. Invest in a quality wood stove and you'll be reaping the benefits for many years to be! Our expert chimney sweeps are available to help you get the most out of your stove. Give us a call now to find out more.
Low Carbon
Burners that burn clean and efficiently are one of the best ways to save money on logs and keep your home warm. They also aid local woodland management. This is an excellent way to support wildlife in your area.
Wood-burning
fireplaces and stoves create very little pollutant if they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. If they aren't properly maintained or when they use wood of poor quality the smoke produced contains fine particles, often referred to as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to lung organs and other body organs. It also contains carbon monoxide as well as 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 heart disease, cancer or premature death.
Some people are concerned that wood-burning stoves can contribute to climate change, but this isn't necessarily true. Wood burning is a carbon neutral energy source. The wood absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime. After burning, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.
The wood is sourced locally, which reduces the amount of pollution produced during the transport process. It is also essential to select top quality, seasoned hardwoods as these will provide an extended and more consistent burn than softwoods.
Modern wood stoves, such as the ones made by Charlton & Jenrick, emit significantly less pollutant than older stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet the 2020 EPA standards which are much more strict than previous emissions limits.
To prevent a build-up of exhaust in your home, all wood-burning stoves must be vented completely to the outside. All of our DEFRA-exempt and clean-burn stoves produce very clear exhaust by keeping the flames above the wood logs and using dry well-seasoned, clean firewood.
A wood-burning stove equipped with a hybrid unit or catalytic converter is the most efficient low carbon heating option. These units ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion at a later stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gasses and particulates are pumped through a catalytic combustion unit for a final third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels far below government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are made to burn fuel with the best efficiency that is achievable. This means that there are fewer emissions of particles into the air when burning wood. The air management system of the stove regulates the intake and ventilation of gases, ensuring that the combustion process is conducted in a safe and controlled environment. It also regulates flame height to maximize the output of heat and reduce emissions.
This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be a lot 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 lead to the development of heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and other serious health problems. The air pollution resulting from wood combustion is a contributory factor in poor urban air quality.
The smoke from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate pollution as well as hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can reach deep into the lungs and other organs which can cause discomfort, damage and even death. Dust particles from the air can also damage the surfaces of your home, and can give a gritty feel to rooms.
If you're using a fireplace with wood burning, it's important to only make use of high-quality firewood that has been dried and seasoned. dried. The most efficient woods for heating are hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content and they offer more heat than softwoods.
It is also important to determine if your local authority has regulations regarding wood burning. These rules may include rules on odors and nuisances, as well as visible smoke emissions or smoke opacity limits.
It is crucial to keep the glass of a stove with a glass front free of deposits and dirt. You can use a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to accomplish this. You can also add bicarbonate soda mixed with water to the glass.
Regular maintenance is essential for your chimney and stove. Regular chimney cleanings are required to remove creosote, and to ensure that the flue is operating correctly. It is also important to mark the dates for periodic inspections on your calendar. This will allow you prevent costly repairs and extend your wood burner's life.
Low Maintenance
Many people prefer installing wood burning fireplaces due to the warmth and natural beauty they provide. However, this type of fire requires some upkeep and maintenance. If not maintained and cleaned regularly, the chimney, flue and stove could all have the potential to cause fires in your home. Fireplaces are also a great source of heat when power is out, especially during winter when snow storms can cause branches to fall from trees and rip up power lines.
If you use a wood stove to heat your home, you will reduce your carbon footprint when compared to other fossil sources of energy like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are made to conform to 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 which means you'll burn less to generate the same amount of heat.
Fireplaces require some attention and maintenance. They should be placed away from combustible material and have a screen. The air flow can be improved by keeping the grate free of ash and debris. This will help keep the fire burning longer and your home in good order. You should have your chimney and stove swept at least twice per year to prevent the accumulation of creosote that could create fire hazards or blockage and hinder ventilation.
A wood-burning stove has to be tended constantly and it could take some time for a novice homeowner to learn how to light, ignite and maintain a constant fire in the fireplace. Once you've learned the art of creating and maintaining a fire in your wood burner, it will be a source of constant pleasure that can provide heat and warmth for your home all year long.
Wood-burning fireplaces have been in use in some form or another for over 500 years and have rediscovered their popularity due to their energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as the natural warmth and scent of real wood. Talk with your local Regency dealer about the benefits of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're planning to buy an entirely new heater.