The Benefits of a Woodburner Stove
Wood stoves produce fire and heat through constant airflow. The dampers are usually situated in the stove's door. They let fresh air to be drawn in. The exhaust gases are then pumped upwards through the chimney, and are safely removed from your home.
Modern wood stoves that are not catalytic rely on secondary combustion for their efficiency. However, they'll create creosote if they are not properly used.
Energy Efficiency
Modern woodburner stoves are designed to maximize heating efficiency, 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 aspect to consider when choosing a woodburner. This figure gives you an idea of how much heat the stove is capable of producing, and it's normally an excellent indicator of its ability to comfortably heat your home.
When comparing wood stoves it's also worth looking at the combustion efficiency and heating transfer efficiency. The efficiency of combustion is an indicator of how much fuel is transformed into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is an indication of how your stove is able to convert this heat to warm the air inside your home.
Stoves with a catalytic combustion system can attain high levels of combustion efficiency because the combustor re-burns some of the gases that are released during the initial combustion. This helps to reduce the amount of flammable creosote in the chimney and helps to clean the exhaust gases. Modern non-catalytical stoves remain very efficient. However they tend to burn more hot and perform worse at low temperatures.
It's important to keep in mind that the energy efficiency of a stove is only as good as the quality and condition of the fuel that powers it. It is more beneficial to use dry and seasoned wood over green wood that has more moisture. It is also a smart option to choose the stove that is designed specifically for logs. Burning other types of combustibles could cause issues with the combustion process, resulting in excess emissions or even an unintentional chimney fire.
Make sure your stove is adequately sealed, 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 also. You should also regularly check and clean the stove interior, and it's recommended that you vacuum the chimney out every few weeks.
Clean Burning
When used correctly when it is used correctly, a wood burner can be the greenest fuel option. It's a renewable resource and generally carbon neutral (the carbon dioxide released during combustion is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed during the life of the tree).
You will also be free from relying on large energy companies which are subject to price increases or, worse even have monopolies in certain areas. This makes you liable to their tariffs. In addition, you'll be in a position to monitor the amount of wood you have in your stove and purchase it as you need it.
Many new log burners, such as the Stovax range, have a superior combustion system that has been optimized to ensure high levels of heat efficiency and clear 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 an easier to control the flaming. It also increases thermal efficiency and reduces emissions.
The best way to maximise the clean burn of a woodburner stove is to use kiln dried logs that were stacked and stored for a certain amount of time prior to use. These contain less moisture and so require less energy to displace. Furthermore, if you stack your logs properly and ensure they are properly seasoned prior burning, you can attain an impressive efficiency that can be as high as up to 80 percent.
Wood smoke contains a number of harmful pollutants including fine particle pollution, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene, which can all cause breathing issues. These are known to be associated with respiratory and heart illnesses. Modern log burners are more efficient than earlier models, and when paired with an air quality monitor, which measures gas concentrations, they can reduce the amount of gas to nearly zero.
It's worth noting that if you reside in a Smoke Control Area and you live in a Smoke Control Area, it is crucial to consult your local authority before buying any kind of stove as you might need to purchase a Defra approved stove to to legally use it. The stoves that are approved by Defra are deemed to be capable of operating under the provisions of the Clean Air Act, which makes it illegal to emit smoke from chimneys in certain areas.
Low Carbon
Wood stoves are an environmentally friendly alternative to heating with fossil fuels. They help to reduce carbon emissions which are the main cause of global climate change. Modern, energy-efficient wood stoves emit significantly less greenhouse gases and particulates as compared to older stoves using wood. They can also be used to heat the home and cook.
The key to getting the most environmentally friendly use out of your wood burning stove is ensuring the logs are dry prior to burning them. It takes a long time to dry wood, but it's worth the effort. If you have the space for a log store and can manage to keep your logs dry, you can save money on heating costs as well as benefiting from Government support through the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Utilizing a woodburner stove couple of times a week can make a huge difference to your household energy costs. However, it's important to keep in mind that it's a secondary source of heat and not the primary method. You should use it only when you really have to, and be sure that your stove is a high-efficiency model with low emissions.
If you decide to use an wood burning stove that is EPA-certified and you are certain that it will comply with the standards for low emissions to ensure that it does not harm your health and the environment. Examine the metal label on your wood burning stove or read the owner's guide or consult EPA's certified stove list to see if it is EPA-certified.
A wood-burning stove that's EPA certified will aid in the preservation of the habitats of forests, as well as biodiversity. If managed sustainably, forests will absorb carbon dioxide that is released by burning wood. Eco-friendly stoves, which only burn wood that is locally harvested and sourced sustainably, will also give a boost 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 produce a wonderful, cosy feeling to any room and can serve as a focal point for gatherings of friends and families together. They can also emit harmful gases, especially when they are not utilized correctly or the logs are of poor quality. In addition, they can create smoke that can affect indoor air quality.
Follow these simple steps to lessen the effect of your stove on your lungs. This includes using only dried, seasoned and dried hardwood and constantly checking the stove to make sure that all the logs are combustion-proof. It is also a good idea, to use hearth mats that are specifically designed to guard your wood flooring from fire damage and to withstand the constant heat from the stove.
Another important point is to avoid using lighter fluid. This is a toxic substance that is only used to light a fire on an open flame and not in a wood-burner. Using it could cause the wood to burn at a faster rate, which could result in dangerous volatile compounds forming which, if inhaled, can cause harm to your health.
Keep pets and children away from the wood stove when being used. Use a hearth mat that can be placed under your stove to prevent burning embers from falling to 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 every year to ensure that it is functioning properly. Fireplaces & Stove qualified professional can check the chimney to make sure there is no creosote buildup and that it isn't leaky.
A modern wood burning stove that incorporates control and monitoring, such as the Catalyst smart wood stove, is a great choice for those looking for an efficient, high-performance yet environmentally friendly way to heat their homes. This kind of stove can eliminate many of the problems that plague older stoves by automatically controlling the fire to ensure it is burning at the right level and avoiding overfiring, which can cause the fire churning out more smoke, pollutes your lungs and causes harm to your chimney.