Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
The selection of the right wood stove is a matter of weighing factors such as the capacity of heating and size, combustion technology, materials, aesthetics maintenance and safety features. A modern wood burner that is properly installed and selected will satisfy your heating requirements and increase the ambience in your home. It also will align with your environmental goals.
Find features that make it easier to maintain your stove and keep the glass clear. For example, select the wood stove that has self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
When choosing a wood stove, it is important to take into consideration the ease of cleaning and maintenance that the stove provides. It is recommended to look for stoves with removable ash pans or trays, which make it easy to clean up the ash residue. Also, consider stoves that have simple access mechanisms for cleaning the flue as well as the chimney. Some modern wood burning fireplaces come with doors that self-clean. This makes them an excellent option for those who want to cut down on the amount of work required to maintain and clean.
The frequency with which you must clean your stove will be contingent on the fuel you're using and the efficiency with which it burns. If you are burning hardwoods, you will have to clean your stove more frequently because the tar on the glass has to be removed more frequently than when burning softer coals. You can make use of a glass cleaner to lessen the amount of tar on your stove's window. Be certain to read the directions since too much cleaner can cause damage to the glass.
A lot of modern woodburning and multifuel stoves also feature an airwash system that assists in keeping the windows clear. It works by passing air over the glass from above, which prevents the build-up of the tar and helps to see the flames within the stove.
To ensure that you are cleaning it regularly it is recommended to check the ashpan every when you use your stove and empty it as needed. You should aim to empty the ashpan at least once each four to six weeks. If you are not sure when to empty your ashpan, then ask your installer or manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
In comparison to electric and gas-fired stoves the modern wood burning stoves are extremely energy efficient, converting 70% of the organic material directly to heat. This is a great advantage for anyone who wishes to cut down on heating costs while remaining self-sufficient.
Manufacturers of stoves have responded to the demand of consumers by developing cutting-edge technology that reduces particulate emission dramatically. A majority of new fireplaces that burn wood are certified to emit fewer than 2.0 grams of fine particles in full operation. This is a stunning achievement that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
Wood burning stoves can be an alternative to heating that is carbon neutral when they are used with wood logs that are sourced responsibly. In their growth phase trees take carbon dioxide out and when they are burned to heat, they release the same amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is a virtuous cycle that is more beneficial for the planet than fossil fuels like gas, which release 0.198kg of CO2 for each kilowatt and electricity, which produces an expensive amount of 0.517kg for each Kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as a second source of heating will also help to reduce the strain on the national grid during peak evening consumption times. The utilization of a wood burner together with a condensing or condensing boiler pellet boiler, or air-source heat pump provides the perfect combination for an eco-friendly and affordable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are an alternative that is sustainable to fossil fuel heat. Carbon neutrality is possible provided that the wood is responsibly harvested and properly managed. When trees are burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Modern wood stoves are built to last. The materials are of top quality and are resistant to warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They feature easy-to-clean burners that minimize the amount of soot and smoke produced by the stove. You can even opt for a wood stove with an auto-ignition mechanism which means that you don't need to manually light the fire each time you use it.
Wood is less expensive than other types of heating on a basis of BTU. It is also less volatile than fossil fuels which means that heating costs will be consistent year after year.
If you're looking for a stove which has the best mix of durability, efficiency and visual appeal, look at this model from Mendip. The widescreen windows allow for an amazing view of the flames and there's plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's DEFRA certified, and meets Ecodesign Standards and has level 5 clearSkies credentials.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse provides a different attractive option for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a good seasonal efficiency of 80 percent. The large window provides a stunning view of the fire and comes with an air-wash system to keep it clean. Ideal for areas that control smoke It is available in traditional and contemporary colors. It also comes with a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in different styles that can be suited to any space. They can be designed in any style and are available in a range of colors to complement the interior design of your home. A lot of them have decorative trimmings and other details that enhance their visual appeal. You can select one that has an integrated log storage which will help keep your fireplace clean and neat.
Modern log burners are built to the highest standards and have an excellent reputation for reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to burn wood efficiently and reduce emissions and make them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves are capable of reducing particulate matter (PM), and even dioxins, up to 50 percent.
The latest generation of wood burners utilize secondary combustion to ignite the creosote that is created by burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by passing the wood through a catalytic converter, which aids in cleaning the air inside your home. However it is important to remember that some stove brands still produce a small amount of PM emitted from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a very efficient modern wood stove that produces very low PM. The stove is 5kW and has a large windows that resemble portholes. It is kept clean with an airwash system. It has a good heat output for medium-sized rooms. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign compatible. It is an excellent option for anyone who wants to improve their fireplace or to add a second heating source.
Safety
A wood stove can be a fantastic source of heat, however it also causes harmful particles to release into the air. These particles are known as particulate matter, and can have a negative effect on our health and increase the likelihood of suffering from respiratory ailments. Fortunately modern wood stoves are designed to reduce these emissions. freestanding wood burning stove , for instance are designed to comply with the strict European guidelines on particulate matter. They make use of a more hot fireplace to re-ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. This means that they require less logs to generate the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The best method to reduce these emissions is to use wood fuels that are certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for at least two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can produce excessive levels of toxic fumes and smoke.
To avoid the build-up of ash, it's essential to keep the fire burning at a low temperature until the ashes have been cool. Other safety measures include keeping the door shut when you are not tending to the fire, never touching the stove or flue pipe unless it is completely cool and always turning off the stove prior to leaving the house or going to sleep.
It's recommended to have your stove inspected by an engineer at minimum every year to ensure that it is working properly. This will help reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compound and particulate matter. It will also ensure that the flue gas temperature stays above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC), which is critical for safe operation of wood stoves.