How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, unlike traditional open fireplaces, are designed to burn wood. This allows them meet stricter emission regulations.
Wood burning stoves are renowned for their warm, yellow flames that dance, crackling sounds and that primal sense of warmth. However the smoke they release is contaminated with carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves made of wood provide a beautiful and natural heat source to the home, they are also extremely efficient. A top-quality wood stove can be eco-friendly up to 77%. It is essential to get the most out of your wood burner particularly with the rising energy costs. The good thing is that it’s easier than ever to do!
The moisture content of firewood is an important factor that determines the efficiency of a wood-burning stove is. We recommend using only dried and seasoned wood that has dried for at least one year and often two years. The more dry the wood, the better it burns. This means less smoke, and less harmful emissions.
A wood burning stove also has the benefit of being a low-carbon fuel source, which is beneficial to the environment. When you purchase locally-sourced wood, you are also helping to promote the active management and conservation of forests. This is beneficial for wildlife.
As far as maintenance is concerned, the primary requirement of a wood burner is to regularly take out and dispose of the ash. It can be somewhat of a hassle however it is worth it to get the most heat from each log. Additionally when you wait for a couple of days for the ashes to completely cool they can be used as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and absorb smells.
A fireplace made of wood is a timeless classic. While they may be less popular than gas fireplaces but there’s no denying the appeal and allure of a warm log fire. They’re great for snuggling up to on cold nights and are a perfect method of creating an inviting and warm space inside your home. Investing in a high-quality wood stove will pay off for a long time. Our expert chimney sweeps are here to assist you in getting the most from your stove — give us a call today to learn more.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that are efficient and clean are the best method to save money while keeping your house warm. In addition, they also aid in local woodland management, a excellent way to help the wildlife in your local environment.
When properly maintained, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves emit little or no pollution when they are operated with dry and seasoned wood. However, if they are not well maintained or made of poor quality wood, the smoke produced by them contains fine particles (known as particulate pollution) which can cause irritation to the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also found in. Inhaling this type of air pollution can cause lung irritation, coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks and may even cause serious health issues like cancer, heart disease, or premature death.
Some people fear that using a wood burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily true. Burning wood is a carbon neutral energy source. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifespan. After burning, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.
The wood is local, which decreases the amount of pollution released during transportation. It is crucial to choose 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 much lower emissions than older stoves. They have been certified to meet 2020 EPA standards which are significantly stricter than previous emission limits.
To avoid the buildup of exhaust inside your home, all wood burning stoves should be vented to the outside. All of our DEFRA-exempt and clean burn stoves can create extremely clear exhaust by keeping the flames in the vicinity of the logs of wood and using dry, seasoned firewood.
A wood burning stove with a catalytic converter or hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon option for heating. These units ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion in a subsequent stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are transferred to a catalytic unit to create a final and third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels well below the government standards.
Clean Burn
Cleanburn wood stoves are designed to burn fuel with the best efficiency that is possible. This results in minimal 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 takes place in a sealed, controlled environment. It also regulates the height of the flame to minimise emissions and maximise heat output.
This means your chimney and its surroundings will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, from incompletely burned wood can trigger respiratory issues, such as coughing and wheezing. It can also can contribute to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious illnesses. The air pollution resulting from wood burning is also a contributory factor in poor urban air quality.
The smoke from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate matter and dangerous air pollutants like carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can get into the organs of the lungs and cause discomfort, damage and even death. Dust particles from the air can also damage the surfaces in your home and give an unpleasant sludge-like feel to rooms.
When you are using a fireplace that is wood-burning it is important to make use of high-quality firewood that has been properly seasoned and dried. The most effective woods for heating are hardwoods such as beech, oak and ash. Hardwoods are incredibly dense and have a higher BTU than softwoods. They also provide more heat.
You should also check whether your local authority has any regulations regarding wood burning. These rules could include rules on odors and nuisances and visible emissions or smoke opacity limits.
It is crucial to keep the glass of a wood stove with glass fronts Free standing electric fireplaces of deposits and dirt. You can use a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray for this. You can also add bicarbonate soda mixed with water to the glass.
Regular maintenance is also important for your chimney and stove. Regular chimney cleaning is required to eliminate creosote, and Free standing Electric fireplaces also to ensure that the flue is working properly. You should also mark the dates for periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and prolong the life of your wood stove.
Low Maintenance
Many people opt to install wood-burning fireplaces due to the natural warmth they generate. This type of fireplace needs some maintenance and upkeep. If not maintained and cleaned regularly the chimney, flue, and stove can all have the potential to cause fires in your home. These fireplaces also provide heat in the event of power outage, especially during winter storms where branches of trees may fall and power lines could be ripped down.
When you use a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint as compared to other fossil fuel sources 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 you use the more efficient the stove will be. You’ll need less wood to generate the same heat.
These fireplaces require some maintenance and attention, such as ensuring they are positioned away from combustible materials and a screen is in place. Keeping the grate clear of debris and ash will allow airflow and will stop the fire from dying too quickly and keep your indoors clean. It is recommended that your stove and chimney cleaned every year at least two times to prevent the build-up of creosote, which can be an extremely dangerous fire hazard as well as obstructions that could hinder the flow of air.
A wood-burning stove needs to be tended constantly and it could take some time for a novice homeowner to master the art of how to light, ignite, and maintain a steady fire in the electric fireplace heater. But, once you’ve achieved the art of creating and maintaining a fire in your wood burner, it will be a source of lasting enjoyment that provides heat and warmth for your home year after year.
Wood-burning fireplaces have been in use in a variety of forms for more than 500 years and they’ve gained a new following due to their efficiency, sustainability, and the natural warmth and smell of real wood. Talk to your local Regency dealer about the benefits of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you’re planning to buy an upgrade to your heater.