The Benefits of a Woodburner Stove
Wood stoves create fire and heat by using constant airflow. The dampers are usually situated in the stove's door. They permit fresh air to be drawn in. Exhaust gases are then dragged up the chimney, and are safely removed from your home.
Modern non-catalytic wood stoves rely on secondary combustion for their effectiveness. However, they'll eventually develop creosote when not properly used.
Energy Efficiency
Modern woodburner stoves are engineered to maximize efficiency in heating, with the combustion process being designed to burn firewood in the most efficient way possible. This means that more fuel is converted to heat, and less of it is wasted in the form of smoke or gases that have not been burned.
The BTU per hour is the primary thing to consider when selecting a woodburner. This figure gives an idea of the amount of heat that the stove can produce. It's generally an accurate indicator of its capacity to efficiently heat your home.
When comparing wood stoves, it's also worth looking at the efficiency of combustion as well as heating transfer efficiency. The combustion efficiency is an indicator of how much fuel is transformed into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is an indicator of how well your stove is able to convert this heat into warmth to warm the air in your home.
Stoves equipped with catalytic combustion systems can achieve high levels of efficiency because the combustor re-burns some of the gases that escape during the initial combustion. This helps to clean the exhaust gases and reduces the amount of flammable chimney deposits known as creosote. Modern non-catalytic stoves can still be very efficient, however they tend to burn a little more hot and are less efficient at lower temperatures.
It's worth bearing in mind that the energy efficiency of an appliance is only dependent on the quality and condition of the fuel used to power it. Dry and seasoned firewood is more suitable than green wood, as it contains more moisture. It is recommended to select a stove that is specifically designed for logs, since burning other kinds of combustibles could cause problems with the combustion process, resulting in excessive emissions or even chimney fires.
Always make sure your stove is properly insulated, and that the doors and windows are shut tightly when not in use. It is also recommended to have your flue vent cleaned by a professional on a regular schedule. Also, you should regularly clean the stove's interior. It is recommended to vacuum out the chimney once every couple of weeks.
Clean Burning
When used correctly, a wood burner is the greenest fuel option. It's a renewable resource that's generally carbon neutral (the carbon dioxide released during combustion is equal to the amount absorbed over the lifetime of the tree).
You will also be free from relying on large energy companies that are subject to price hikes or worse even have monopolies in certain areas. This makes you liable to their prices. You can also monitor the amount of wood in your stove and purchase it only when you require it.
A lot of new log burners, like the Stovax range, use an efficient combustion system that has been optimized to ensure high levels of efficiency in heat and a clean burn. The triple air system supplies air to the fire at two distinct stages. This allows for a faster ignition of the top layer and a more controlled flaming picture. It also improves the efficiency of thermal combustion and reduces emissions.
To ensure a clean burn in the woodburner, make sure to use dry, kiln-dried wood that has been stacked for a time before being used. These have a lower moisture content therefore require less energy to move. Furthermore, if you stack your logs correctly and make sure they are properly seasoned prior to burning, you can attain an impressive efficiency that can reach up to 80%.
Wood smoke contains a number of harmful pollutants such as fine particle pollution as well as volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides and benzene, that can all contribute to breathing problems. They are linked to respiratory and heart illnesses. The good news is that modern log burners are more efficient than their predecessors of the past. They, when combined with a suitable air quality monitor, they can reduce the harmful gases to near-zero levels.
It is important to note that if you live in a Smoke Control Area and you live in a Smoke Control Area, it is crucial to consult your local authority before buying any stove, as you may need to get a Defra approved stove to be able to legally use it. Stoves that are Defra-approved are certified as capable of operating within the guidelines of the Clean Air Act, which makes it an offence to release smoke from chimneys in certain areas.
Low Carbon
Wood stoves are an eco-friendly alternative to heating your home using fossil fuels. They help to reduce carbon emissions, which are a leading cause of global climate change. Modern, energy-efficient wood burners emit considerably less greenhouse gases and particulates when compared to older stoves using wood. They can also be used to heat your home as well as cook.
The key to getting the most sustainable use from your wood-burning stove is to make sure that the wood are dry prior to burning them. It takes an extended time to dry wood, but it's worth the effort. If you have the space to build a log store and can manage to keep your logs dry, then you can save money on heating costs and also benefit from Government support through the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Using a woodburner stove a few times per week can make a massive difference to your household energy bills. It is important to remember that this is not your primary source of heat however, it is an additional source. Only use it when absolutely required and ensure that your stove emits low levels of carbon dioxide.
You can be confident that a stove that is EPA-certified will meet the low emission standards necessary to protect your health and the environment. Examine the metal label on your wood burning stove and read the owner's manual or consult EPA's certified wood stove list to see if it is certified by the EPA.
small wood burning stove to think about an wood burning stove that is EPA-certified is the fact that it helps to preserve forests and biodiversity. Forests play a vital function in regulating climate of the earth, and if they are managed in a sustainable manner, they can absorb the carbon dioxide released when wood is burned. Eco-friendly stoves that only burn locally harvested wood procured sustainably, also provide an incentive to sustainable forest management. This method is built on the principles of circular economy and guarantees that forests are valued for their environmental benefits and their timber supply.
Safety
Wood stoves can create a warm, cozy atmosphere in a room. They also make great places for family and friends to get together. However, they also release various dangerous gases into the air especially if they are not properly used or with poor quality logs. They can also cause indoor air pollution due to smoky conditions.
To lessen the impact on your lungs, and to ensure that you have a safe, clean burning stove, it is vital to follow a few easy guidelines to use. These include using only dried, seasoned and dried hardwood and constantly checking the stove to make sure that all the logs are combustible. In addition, it is always recommended to use hearth pads that are designed to withstand the constant heating of the stove as well as protecting your wooden floor from fire damage.
Another tip is to not use lighter fluid. This is a highly dangerous substance that is best used to ignite a fire within an open fire, not a closed wood burner. It could cause wood to burn at a higher rate, resulting in volatile compounds that can be harmful if breathed in.
When operating the wood stove, you must be aware of the smoke and fire and keep pets and children away from it. Utilize a hearth mat which can be put beneath your stove to keep embers from falling on the floor and creating damage. It is recommended to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.
It is also recommended to check your chimney at least once per year to ensure that it's functioning correctly. A qualified professional can inspect the chimney to ensure there are no leaks, and that the flue is free of creosote.
A modern wood-burning stove that has integrated automation and monitoring, such as the Catalyst smart wood stove, can be a great choice for those looking for a high-performance efficient, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable method of heating their home. This type of stove eliminates many of the problems that are associated with older stoves by automatically controlling the fire to ensure it is burning at an appropriate level and avoiding overfiring which can lead to the fire churning out more smoke, irritates your lungs and causes harm to your chimney.