Wood Burner Fireplace: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are designed to use wood for combustion. This allows them to meet stricter emission regulations.

Wood burning stoves provide glowing yellow flames, cozy crackling sound and that innate feeling of warmth. However, the smoke it creates is contaminated with carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are not only beautiful, but also extremely efficient. A high-quality wood burner can attain an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77 percent. With the rising cost of energy, it is crucial to make sure you get the most benefits from your log burner - the good news is that it's much easier than ever before!

One of the most important factors in the effectiveness of a wood burning stove is in the moisture content of the firewood. We recommend using only well-seasoned wood that has been dried for at least one year, and often two years. The more dry the wood, the more efficiently it burns which means less smoke and harmful emissions.

A wood-burning stove also has the benefit of being a low-carbon fuel source, which is beneficial to the environment. By purchasing locally sourced wood, you also help to promote the active conservation and management of forests. This is great for wildlife.

The only thing that a wood burning stove requires in terms of maintenance is that you regularly remove and eliminate ash. It can be somewhat of a hassle but it's worth it to get the best heat from every log. Additionally that if you wait a couple of days for the ashes to completely cool they can be used as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and remove the odors.

A electric fireplace with a wood burner is a truly timeless classic. Although they're not as popular than gas fires however, there's no denying the appeal and allure of a roaring log fire. They're perfect for cosying up to on cold evenings and are a great method of creating an inviting and warm space within your home. Make sure you invest in a high-quality wood burner and you'll be benefiting for many years to come! Contact us today to learn more about how our experienced chimney sweeps can assist you in getting the most out of your stove.

Low Carbon

Burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the most efficient ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. As an added benefit they also help to support local woodland management, a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your area.

Wood-burning stoves and cheap fireplaces produce very little pollutant if they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned firewood. If they aren't properly maintained or use wood that is of poor quality the smoke produced contains fine particles also known as particulate pollutants that can cause irritation to lungs and other body organs. It also contains carbon monoxide and harmful air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Inhaling air pollution can cause irritation to the lungs and trigger asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing and lung irritation. It could also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Some people worry that using a wood-burning stove could contribute to climate change, but this is not necessarily the case. Wood burning produces energy that is carbon-neutral. In the course of the life of a tree it absorbs carbon dioxide and when burned the absorbed carbon is released back into the atmosphere.

As the wood is sourced locally this decreases the amount of pollution emitted in the process of transportation. It is also essential to use high quality well-seasoned hardwoods, as they will give an extended and more consistent burning time than softwoods.

Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick) have significantly lower emissions than older stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet 2020 EPA standards which are considerably more stringent than the previous emission limits.

All wood burning stoves must be fully vented to the outside of your home to ensure that they don't create a haze of exhaust inside your home. All our current DEFRA-exempt and clean burn stoves can create extremely clear exhaust by keeping the flames at a distance from the wood logs and using dry, seasoned firewood.

A wood burning stove with a catalytic converter or hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon heating solution. These units ignite gasses and particles released from the initial burning in a second stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are pumped through a catalytic combustion unit for a final third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels well below the standards set by the government.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel at the highest efficiency possible. This results in the release of a small amount of particles into the air when burning wood. The stove's air management system regulates the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process is conducted in a sealed, controlled environment. It also regulates the flame height to minimize emissions and increase the heat output.

This means that your chimney and surrounding area will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, from incompletely burned wood can trigger respiratory problems, such as wheezing and coughing, and contribute to heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, and other serious conditions. Wood burning also contributes to poor air quality in cities.

Smoke from poorly combusted wood is a source of fine particulate pollutants as well as harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and other hazardous air pollutants like nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as benzene and formaldehyde. These particles can be absorbed into the lungs, as well as other organs, causing discomfort, harm, and even death. Airborne dust can also damage surfaces in your home and give them a rough feeling.

It is important to select good quality, seasoned and dried firewood for your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods such as oak beech, ash, and ash are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods are extremely dense and have more BTU than softwoods. They also have more heat.

Check with your local authorities to see whether they have any regulations about wood burning. These may include nuisance/odor rules and visible emissions or the opacity limit for smoke.

If you have a wood burner with glass doors it is important to keep the glass clean of grime and deposits. This can be done using dry cloths or oven cleaner spray. Alternately, you can mix bicarbonate of a soda with a small amount of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance is also important for your chimney and stove. Regular chimney cleanings are required to get rid of creosote and also to ensure that the flue is operating properly. It is also recommended to note the dates of your periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your wood burner.

Low Maintenance

Many people choose to install wood burning fireplaces because of the natural warmth they generate. However, this kind of fire requires a bit of upkeep and maintenance. If it is not maintained and cleaned regularly, the chimney, flue, and stove could have the potential to cause ethanol fires in your home. Fireplaces can also provide heat in the event of an electrical outage, especially during winter storms when branches of trees may fall and power lines may be ripped down.

If you use a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint compared to other fossil sources of energy like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are designed to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means they emit very little carbon dioxide. The more seasoned the wood is the more efficient it will be, so you'll burn less of it to get the same amount of heat.

The fireplaces require some attention and maintenance. They should be kept away from the combustible materials and have a screen. Keeping the grate clear of ash and debris will allow airflow, which will prevent the fire from dying quickly. It will also help keep your home clean. It is important to have your stove and chimney swept at least twice a year to prevent the accumulation of creosote, which can cause an fire hazard or blockage and limit circulation.

It could take a while for homeowners who are new to the area to learn to ignite, light and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've achieved the art of creating and maintaining a Ethonal Fire in your wood burner, it can be a source of constant pleasure that can provide heat and warmth for your home every year.

Wood burning fireplaces are around in a variety of forms or styles for more than 500 years. They've gained popularity because of their energy efficiency, sustainability and the natural warmth of wood. If you're thinking about buying a new heater, talk with your local certified Regency dealer to learn more about the advantages of a wood stove or an insert for your home.