Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Choosing the right wood stove is a matter of weighing aspects like the capacity of heating and size and design, combustion technology and materials, as well as aesthetics maintenance and safety features. A modern wood stove that is installed correctly and selected will satisfy your heating needs and enhance the ambience of your home. It will also be in line with your environmental goals.
Find features that help you maintain your stove, and keep the glass crystal clear. For example, select the wood stove that has an auto-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and easy cleaning
It is crucial to select the right wood burner that provides easy maintenance and cleaning. Look for stoves that have ash pans or trays, that make it simple to clean up the ash residue. You should also look for stoves that have easy-access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning fireplaces come with doors that self-clean. This makes them a perfect choice for those looking to reduce the amount they have to clean and maintain.
The frequency with which you need to clean your stove will be contingent on the fuel you use and the quality with which it burns. If you burn hardwoods, you will require cleaning your stove more often because the tar on the glass has to be removed more frequently than when burning softer coals. You can make use of a glass cleaning product to reduce the amount of tar on your stove's window. But be sure to follow the directions as too much cleaner may harm the glass.
Airwash systems are also found on a variety of modern wood and multifuel stoves. They help to keep the glass windows clear. The system works by circulating air over the glass from above, which stops the build up of tar and makes it easier to see the flames within the stove.
To ensure that you are cleaning it regularly, you should check the ashpan every when you use your stove and empty it as needed. It is recommended to empty the ashpan at least each 4 to 6 weeks. Ask your installer or manufacturer if you're not sure what frequency to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
When compared to gas and electric fires the modern wood burning stoves are extremely energy efficient, converting 70% of the organic material directly to heat. This is an advantage for anyone looking to reduce their heating costs while also being more self-sufficient.
Manufacturers of stoves have responded to the demand of consumers by developing cutting-edge technology that reduces the emission of particulates significantly. The majority of modern log-burning fireplaces are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles when they are in full operation. This is a stunning achievement that was unimaginable just a few short years back.
Additionally, wood burning stoves are a carbon-neutral form of heating when made from responsibly harvested wood logs. In their growth phase, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and when burned for heating they release an equal amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a circle that is more sustainable for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas which produce 0.198kg of carbon for each Kilowatt of electricity or heat that generates a cost of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood-burning stove can aid in reducing the demand on the grid in the evenings when it is at its peak. The use of a wood burner together with a condensing boiler pellet boiler, or air-source heat pumps is the ideal mix for an eco-friendly and affordable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a renewable alternative for heating. If the wood used is sourced in a responsible manner and is properly managed in a way that is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and when they're burned the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, ending the cycle.
Modern wood stoves have been designed to last. They are constructed from top-quality materials that are resistant to warping or damage caused by excessive heat. They have easy-to-clean burning systems which reduce the amount of soot and smoke produced by the stove. You can also choose wood burners that have an auto-ignition mechanism that means you don't need to manually light the fire every time you use it.
Wood is more affordable than other heating options on a bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can expect to have consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is the perfect option for those looking for a stove with the best combination of efficiency and durability, and also aesthetic appeal. The large-screen window gives you excellent flame views and there's plenty of room for logs below the firebox. It's also DEFRA-approved, meets Ecodesign standards and has level five clearSkies certification.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is another impressive option for wood burning. This slender, multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a good seasonal efficiency of 80%. The large window gives you a great view of the flame and is equipped with an air-wash system to keep it clean. It is suitable for areas with smoke control and is available in traditional and contemporary colors. The model has an innovative catalytic combustor which can be used with coal, briquettes, or logs.
Style
Modern wood burners can be found in a variety of styles that will suit any house. They can be designed to suit any style of room and are available in a broad selection of colors to complement your interior design. Many of them have decorative details and trims that add a touch of class. You can choose one that has an integrated log storage, which will aid in keeping your fireplace neat and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to a high quality and have earned a reputable reputation for reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to efficiently burn wood and reduce emissions and make them an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) emitted by up to 50% and some are capable of reducing the emissions of dioxins and furans.
The latest generation of wood burners utilize a second combustion process to burn the creosote which is created by burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by the passage of wood through a catalyst converter. This aids in cleaning your home's atmosphere. It is important to note that some stoves emit a small amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, contemporary wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production, is a good example. This 5kW multi-fuel stove features large windows that resemble portholes. It is kept clean with an airwash system and offers a high heating capacity for rooms of mid-sized size. It is also DEFRA certified and Ecodesign certified. It is an excellent option for anyone who wants to improve their fireplace or add another heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat, however it can also cause harmful particles to be released into the air. These are referred to as particulate matter and they can affect our health and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Thankfully, modern wood stoves are engineered to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for instance designed to meet strict European guidelines on particulate matter. They utilize a more hot firebox to reignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they escape the chimney. This means they need less wood to generate the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The most effective way to cut down on the emissions from your home is to use wood fuel that is certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoned for a minimum of two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can produce large amounts of toxic gasses and smoke.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it's important to keep the fire burning to a minimum until the ashes are removed. Other measures to protect yourself include keeping the door closed when not tending the fire, not touching the flue pipe or stove unless it is completely cool, and always extinguishing the stove before leaving home or going to bed.
woodburning fireplace 's also a good idea to have your stove examined by an engineer at least each year to make sure it is operating correctly. This will lower emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compound and particulate matter. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit and 121 degrees Celsius, which is essential for the safe operation of a stove made of wood.