A Complete Guide To Woodburner Stove Dos And Don'ts

The Benefits of a Woodburner Stove Wood stoves create fire and heat through constant airflow. The dampers are usually located within the door of the stove. They let fresh air to flow into. The exhaust gases are then taken through a chimney and safely leave your home. Modern wood stoves that are not catalytic rely on secondary combustion to increase their effectiveness. They will build up creosote, but only if they are not used correctly. Energy Efficiency Modern woodburner stoves are engineered to maximize efficiency in heating, with the combustion process being optimized to burn firewood efficiently possible. This means a higher portion of the fuel is converted to heat and less is wasted as smoke or unburned gases. The most important factor to consider when choosing a woodburner stove is the heating output that is measured in BTU per hour. This number gives an idea of the amount of heat that the stove will produce. It's generally an excellent indicator of its capability to efficiently heat your home. When comparing wood stoves it's important to look at the efficiency of combustion as well as heating transfer efficiency. The efficiency of combustion is how much of the fuel is converted into useful heat, while the efficiency of heating transfer determines how well the stove converts that heat to warm air in your home. Stoves that employ catalytic combustor may achieve extremely high levels of efficiency in combustion, as the combustor is able to re-burn some of the gasses that have escaped the initial combustion process. This helps reduce the amount of creosote that is flammable in the chimney and helps to clean the exhaust gases. Modern non-catalytic stoves can be very efficient, but they tend to burn a little hotter and have lower efficiency at low temperatures. It is crucial to keep in mind that the energy efficiency that a stove can attain is contingent on the condition and quality of the fuel it uses. It is more beneficial to utilize dry and seasoned wood over green wood, which is more moisture. It is also a good idea to select a stove which is designed specifically for logs because burning other types of combustibles could cause problems with the combustion process, resulting in excessive emissions or even chimney fires. Check that your stove is properly insulated, and that all doors and windows are closed tightly when not in use. It is a good idea to have the flue vent cleaned on a regular basis as well. You should also regularly clean the interior of the stove. It is recommended to vacuum out the chimney once every couple of weeks. Clean Burning When used correctly the wood burner is the greenest fuel option. It is a renewable fuel that is largely carbon-neutral (the amount of carbon dioxide released during combustion is the same as the amount absorbed by the tree during its lifespan). It also prevents dependence on large energy companies, which are typically subject to price hikes, or worse, possess exclusive rights in certain areas, making you exposed to their tariffs. You can also track the amount of wood you have in your stove, and purchase it only when you require it. Many new log burners, like the Stovax range, feature a superior combustion system that has been optimized to ensure high levels of heat efficiency and burning cleanly. The triple air system supplies the fire with air at two different stages, allowing for quicker ignition of the top layer of logs and a more controlled flame picture. It also increases the efficiency of thermal heating and reduces emissions. To ensure a clean burn of the woodburner, make sure to use dry, kiln-dried wood that has been stacked for a period of time before being used. They contain less moisture and so require less energy to displace. If you stack your logs properly and ensure they are properly seasoned, you can achieve a level of efficiency that can reach 80 percent. Wood smoke contains a number of harmful pollutants including fine particle pollution as well as volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides and benzene that can all contribute to breathing issues. These pollutants are associated with heart and respiratory diseases. Modern log burners are more efficient than previous models and, when paired with an air quality monitor that measures the gas concentrations, they can cut them to a minimum. You should check with your local authority if you reside in Smoke Control Area prior to purchasing any kind of stove. You may need a Defra-approved stove for legal use of the stove. The stoves that are Defra approved are certified to function under the Clean Air Act which makes it illegal to smoke from chimneys in some areas. Low Carbon Wood stoves provide an eco green alternative to heating fossil fuels. They aid in reducing carbon emissions which are a major cause of global climate change. Modern wood burners that are energy efficient produce significantly less greenhouse gases and particulates than earlier wood burning stoves and can be used to heat your home as well as cooking. To make the most of your wood-burning stove, make sure the logs are completely dry before burning them. It takes some time to dry wood, but it is worth the effort. If you have the space for an outdoor log store and manage to keep your logs dry, you can save money on heating bills as well as benefiting from government support through the Renewable Heat Incentive. A woodburner stove could help you save a lot of dollars on your household's energy bills. It is important to keep in mind that this isn't the primary source of heat, but rather a secondary one. You should only use it when you absolutely need to, and ensure that your stove is high-efficiency with low emissions. If you decide to utilize an wood burning stove that has been certified by the EPA and you are certain that it meets the low emissions standards required to ensure that it does not harm the environment and your health. Fireplaces & Stove to tell if you have an certified wood burning stove by the EPA is to examine the tag that is made of metal and then look through the owner's manual or look up EPA's list of certified wood stoves. A wood-burning stove that is EPA certified will also help preserve forests and habitats as well as biodiversity. If they are managed sustainably, forests can absorb carbon dioxide produced by burning wood. Eco-friendly stoves, which only burn locally harvested wood that is sustainably sourced, will provide an incentive to sustainable forest management. This is based on the principles of circular economy and guarantees that forests are valued for their environmental benefits and timber supply. Safety Wood stoves can create a warm, warm and cozy ambience in a room. They are also great places for friends and family to gather. They can also emit harmful gases, especially if they are not properly used, or if the logs are not of good quality. Additionally, they may create smoke that can affect the quality of indoor air. Follow these simple tips to lessen the effect of your stove on your lungs. Use only properly dried and seasoned hardwood, and check the stove regularly to ensure that all wood logs have a strong flame. It is also a good idea, to make use of hearth mats that are specifically designed to guard your wood flooring from fire damage and to withstand the constant heat from the stove. Another tip is to stay clear of using lighter fluid. It is a hazardous substance that should only be used to ignite a fire within an open flame, not in the closed wood burner. The use of this substance could result in the wood burning at a faster rate, which could result in the formation of volatile compounds which, if inhaled, can be harmful to your health. When operating a wood stove, monitor the smoke and fire and keep children and animals away from it. Use a hearth mat that can be put underneath your stove to stop sparks from falling onto the floor and causing damage. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke detectors is also suggested. You should also have your chimney checked at least once per year to ensure it's functioning correctly. A trained professional can examine the chimney to make sure there are no leaks and that the flue is free of creosote. A modern wood burning stove, with built in monitoring and automation, such as MF Fire's Catalyst intelligent wood stove, is a fantastic choice for those who are looking for a high performance, efficient but also eco-friendly method to warm their homes. This type of stove eliminates the issues that are common to older stoves. It automatically regulates the fire to ensure it is burning at the right level, and prevents overfiring.