What's The Good And Bad About Woodburner Stove

The Benefits of a Woodburner Stove

Wood stoves employ constant air flow to create heat and fire. This fresh air is drawn into the stove through adjustable dampers which are usually located inside the door of the woodburning stove. Exhaust gases are then dragged upwards through an chimney, leaving your home.

Modern wood stoves that do not have catalytic technology rely on secondary combustion for their effectiveness. However, they will inevitably create creosote if they are not used correctly.

Energy Efficiency

Modern woodburner stoves are designed to maximize the efficiency of heating. The combustion process has been designed to burn wood as efficiently as it can. This means that more fuel is converted into heat and less is wasted in the form of smoke or unburnt gases.

The most important factor to take into consideration when selecting the best woodburner stove is heating output that is measured in BTU per hour. This number gives you an idea of the amount of heat the stove is capable of producing and is usually an excellent gauge of its capability to effectively heat your home.

When comparing wood stoves, it's important to consider the combustion efficiency and heating transfer efficiency. Combustion efficiency measures how much of the multi fuel wood burning stoves can be converted into useful heat, and the heating transfer efficiency determines how the stove can convert that heat to warm air inside your home.

Stoves that employ a catalytic combustor can attain very high levels of combustion efficiency because the combustor is capable of re-burning some of the gasses that escape the initial combustion process. This reduces the amount of flammable creosote in the chimney, and also cleans the exhaust gases. Modern non-catalytical stoves remain very efficient. However, they tend to burn more hot and perform worse at lower temperatures.

It's worth bearing in mind that the energy efficiency of an appliance is only as good as the quality and condition of the fuel used to power it. Dry and seasoned firewood is a better choice than green wood, which contains more moisture. It is also a good idea to select a stove which 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 ensure that your stove is properly insulated and that the windows and doors are shut tightly when not in use. It's a good idea have the flue vent professionally cleaned regularly as well. It is also recommended to regularly inspect and clean the stove interior, and it's recommended that you clean out the chimney every couple of weeks.

Clean Burning

When used correctly when it is used correctly, a wood burner can be the most sustainable fuel option. It's a renewable resource and generally carbon-neutral (the carbon dioxide given off during combustion is equivalent to the amount absorbed during the lifetime of the tree).

You'll also be free from relying on large energy companies which are subject to price increases or, even worse, have monopolies over certain areas. This means you are subject to their tariffs. You can also track the amount of wood you have in your stove, and purchase it only when you require it.

A number of the latest log burning stoves like the Stovax range of stoves, use a superior system of combustion that has been streamlined to ensure maximum energy efficiency and clean burning. The triple air system provides the fire with air in two distinct stages, allowing for faster ignition of the top layer of logs and a more controlled flame image. It also improves thermal efficiency and reduces emissions.

To ensure a clean burn in the woodburner, make sure to use kiln-dried logs that have been stacked for a time before being used. They contain less moisture and therefore require less energy to displace. If you stack your logs properly and ensure they are properly seasoned, you can reach a level of efficiency that can reach 80%.

Wood smoke is a source of harmful pollutants, including fine particle pollution and volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene, that can all contribute to breathing issues. They are associated with heart and respiratory disease. The good part is that modern log burners are more efficient than the log burners of yesteryear and when used together with a quality air monitor, can reduce these harmful gases to near-zero levels.

It is important to inquire with your local authority if you live within Smoke Control Area before purchasing any type of stove. You may require a Defra-approved stove to legally use the stove. Defra approved stoves are certified to operate under the Clean Air Act which makes it illegal to emit 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 significantly less greenhouse gases and particulates when compared to older stoves that burn wood. They can also be used to heat your home and cook.

The key to obtaining the most eco-friendly use from your wood stove is to ensure that the logs are dry prior to burning them. It takes some time to dry wood but it's worth the effort. If you can dry your wood and have the space, you can reduce heating costs. You may also be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Utilizing a woodburner stove couple of times a week can make a significant difference to your household energy bills. However, it's important to remember that it's a secondary source of heat and not the primary method. Only use it when absolutely needed and ensure your stove emits low levels of carbon dioxide.

If you choose to use an EPA-certified wood burning stove you can be sure that it will meet the low emissions standards required to protect your health and the environment. Examine the metal label on your wood burning stove and read the owner's manual or refer to EPA's certified wood stove list to confirm that it is certified by the EPA.

Another reason to consider an wood burning stove that is EPA-certified is the fact that it helps to preserve habitats for forests and biodiversity. Forests play a crucial role in regulating the climate of the earth. If they are managed properly, they can absorb the carbon dioxide that is 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 a reflection of the principles of the circular economy, and ensures that forests are valued for their environmental benefits as well as the timber supply.

Safety

Wood stoves give a lovely warm, cozy feel to any room and can also be an ideal focal area for families and friends to gather together. They also release harmful gases, especially when they are not properly used, or if the logs are not of good quality. In addition, they can create smoke that can impact the quality of indoor air.

To help reduce the impact on your lungs, and to ensure that you have a safe, clean burning stove, it is essential that you follow some simple tips for use. Use only properly dried and seasoned wood, and examine the stove on a regular basis to ensure that all wood logs have a strong flame. It is also a good idea to use hearth mats that are specifically designed to guard your wood flooring from fire damage and withstand the constant heat generated by the stove.

Another important tip is to avoid using lighter fluid. This is a dangerous substance that is only used to ignite a fire on an open flame and not in a wood burner. It could cause the wood to burn at an accelerated rate, which can result in the formation of dangerous volatile compounds that, if breathed in, could be detrimental to your health.

When operating a wood stove, monitor the smoke and fire, and keep children and animals away from the stove. Make use of a hearth mat that can be positioned underneath your stove to stop embers from falling on the floor and causing damage. Installing carbon dioxide and smoke detectors is also suggested.

Lastly, you should have your chimney inspected at least once per heating season to check that it is operating properly. A qualified professional will inspect the chimney to make sure there isn't any creosote accumulation and that it is not leaky.

A modern wood-burning stove that has built-in monitoring and automation, such as the Catalyst smart wood stove, is a fantastic option for those seeking a high performance, efficient yet environmentally friendly way to heat their homes. This type of stove is able to eliminate the issues that are associated with older traditional stoves. It automatically regulates the fire to ensure that it is burning at the appropriate level, and avoids overfiring.