Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When deciding on the right wood stove, you should take into consideration factors like heating capacity and size combustion technology, aesthetics, maintenance and safety features. A modern wood stove that is properly installed and selected will meet your heating needs and enhance the ambience in your home. It also will align with your environmental values.
Find features that aid in maintaining your stove and keep the glass clean. For instance, you can choose a wood stove with a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
When selecting your wood burner, it is important to consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance the stove offers. Look for stoves that have pans or trays for ash that are removable that make it easier to wash the ash residue. You should also look for stoves that have simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Modern wood burning fireplaces come with self-cleaning doors. This makes them an excellent option for those who want to cut down on the amount of time they need to maintain and clean.
The frequency you need to clean your stove will depend on the type of fuel you are using and the quality with which it is burned. For instance when you use hardwood your stove will require more frequent cleaning because the tar that builds up on the glass needs more regular removal than those who burn lighter coals. You can use a glass cleaning product to reduce the amount of tar on the stove's window. However, be sure to follow the directions as too much cleaner may cause damage to the glass.
A lot of modern woodburning and multifuel stoves also come with an airwash system that helps keep the windows clean. The system is a way of blowing air from above over the glass, which helps to keep it clean and prevents the buildup of tar.
To ensure that you are cleaning it regularly, you should check the ashpan every when you use your stove and empty it if needed. Empty the ashpan every 4-6 week. If you are not sure what frequency to empty your ashpan then ask your installer or manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
When compared with gas and electric fires, modern wood burners are extremely energy efficient, converting 70% of the burning organic material directly into heat. This is a huge benefit for anyone who wishes to lower their heating expenses while remaining self-sufficient.
The stove makers have responded to the demand of consumers by developing cutting-edge technology that cuts down on particulate emissions dramatically. Many new log-burning stoves are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particulates in operation this is an incredible feat that was unimaginable a few years ago.
Wood burning stoves can also be a carbon-neutral heating option when they are used in conjunction with wood logs that have been harvested responsibly. In their growth phase, trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and when burned for heating they release the same amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a positive cycle that is better for the planet than fossil fuels like gas, which produces 0.198kg of CO2 per Kilowatt and electricity, which creates an expensive amount of 0.517kg for every Kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as a second source of heating also helps to alleviate pressure on the national grid during peak nighttime consumption times. Combining a wood burning stove with a condensing or pellet boiler, or an air-source heatpump, will provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative for heating. As long as the wood used is obtained responsibly and is properly managed, it's 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 are built to last. They're constructed of high-end materials that resist warping or damage from high temperatures. They also have easy-to-clean combustion systems which can reduce the amount of soot and smoke generated by the stove. You can even opt for wood burners that have an auto-ignition feature that means you don't need to manually light the fire every time you use it.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is fairly cheap on a basis of bTU per. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, meaning you can expect consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is the perfect option for those looking for a stove with the perfect blend of efficiency and durability, as well as visual appeal. The widescreen window offers excellent flame views and there's plenty of space for logs beneath the firebox. It's also DEFRA approved, meets Ecodesign standards and has level five clearSkies credentials.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse offers another attractive option for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80%. Its large windows provide stunning fire visuals and has an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. It comes in traditional colors as well as contemporary colours. The model comes with a clever, catalytic combustor that is used with briquettes, coal or logs.
Style
Modern wood burners can be found in various styles that will suit any home. They can be designed to fit in any room style and come in a wide range of colours to match your interior design. Many of them have ornamental details and trims which add to their appeal. You can pick a stove that has an integrated log storage which will ensure that your fireplace is kept neat and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to a high quality and have a good reputation for their reliability. The latest combustion technology enables them to burn wood efficiently and reduce emissions, making them an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce particulate matter (PM) as well as dioxins, by up to 50 percent.
The most recent generation of wood burners utilize a secondary combustion process to burn the creosote which is produced when burning wooden fuel. This can be done directly or by using a catalyst converter. This aids in cleaning your home's atmosphere. It is important to keep in mind that certain stoves emit a tiny amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, a modern wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production, is a good example. corner wood burning stove -fuel stove features an enormous porthole-like window that is kept clean by an airwash system. It provides a decent heat output for mid-sized rooms. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign certified. It is a great choice for anyone who is looking to upgrade their fireplace or add a second heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat, but it also causes harmful particles to release into the air. These are known as particulate matter, and they can affect our health and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Modern wood stoves are designed specifically to minimize these emissions. Ecodesign stoves are designed to meet European directives regarding particulate matter. They employ a larger firebox to re-ignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they exit the chimney. They also employ fewer logs to produce the same heat as other stoves.
The most effective way to cut down on emissions is to use wood fuel certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for a minimum of two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that has not been seasoned because they can create high levels toxic gasses and smoke.
It is also important to keep a fire burning at a lower temperature until the ashes have been cooled and to regularly clear the ash from the stove in order to prevent build-up. Other safety measures include closing the door when you are not tending to the flame, and never touching the flue pipe or stove until it has completely cooled and always putting out the stove prior to leaving the home or going to sleep.
It is also recommended to get your stove checked by an engineer each year to ensure it's functioning correctly. This will help reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compounds and particulate matter. It will also ensure the flue gas temperature remains at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC) which is essential for the safe operation of a wood stove.