How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

In contrast to traditional open fireplaces, wood stoves are specifically designed and optimized to burn firewood. This allows them meet stricter emission regulations.

Wood burning stoves emit glowing yellow flames that dance and warm crackling sounds. They also give you an incredibly warm feeling. However the smoke they release is contaminated with carbon monoxide as well as toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood offer a stunning and natural heat to your home, and they are incredibly efficient. A good quality wood burner can attain an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77%. With the increasing cost of energy, it is essential to ensure that you are getting the maximum value from your log stove The good news is that it's more simple than ever before!

The moisture content of wood is one of the main factors that determines how efficient a stove that burns wood is. We recommend using only seasoned wood that has been dried over a period of at least one year, and in some cases, two years. The more dry the wood is and the more efficient it is to burn. This means less smoke and less harmful emissions.

Another benefit of a wood-burning stove is that it's a low carbon source of fuel, which is excellent for the environment. If you buy locally-sourced wood, you also help to promote the active conservation and management of forests. This is beneficial for wildlife.

In terms of maintenance involved, the sole requirement for a wood burner is to regularly scoop up and dispose of the ash. It's quite a challenge but it's worth it to get the most heat out of every log. Furthermore that if you wait a couple of days until the ashes completely cool they can be used as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry or absorb odors.

A wood burner fireplace is a truly timeless classic. While they're not as popular than gas fireplaces, their appeal and charm of a fire that is roaring can't be ignored. They're ideal for cozying with on cold winter nights and are an ideal way to create a warm and inviting space in the heart of your home. Choose a high-quality wood stove and you'll start reaping the benefits for many years to be! Our chimney sweeps are here to assist you in getting the most value from your stove. Give us a call now to find out more.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that are efficient and clean are among the most efficient ways to save money on logs and keep your home warm. As an added benefit they also aid in local woodland management, which is a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your local environment.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create very little pollution if they are properly maintained and are used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. However, if they are not maintained well or used with poor quality wood, the smoke produced by them is contaminated with fine particles (known as particulate pollution) which can cause irritation to the lung and other 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 cause asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and lung irritation. It may also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Some people are concerned that wood-burning stoves will contribute to climate change, but this isn't necessarily true. Burning wood produces energy that is carbon-neutral. Through the life of a tree, it absorbs carbon dioxide, and when it is burned, the carbon dioxide absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.

The wood is local, which decreases the amount of pollution produced during the transport process. It is also essential to select high-quality well-seasoned hardwoods, as they will provide an extended and even burning time than softwoods.

Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those made by Charlton Jenrick) have considerably lower emissions than earlier stoves. They have been certified to meet 2020 EPA standards which are significantly more strict than earlier emission limits.

To avoid a build up of exhaust in your home, all wood-burning stoves should be vented fully to the outside. By keeping the flames away from the logs and making sure you use dry, seasoned wood, all our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves are capable of producing extremely clear exhaust and have particle levels of 60 percent or less below the DEFRA limit.

A wood-burning stove that has a hybrid unit or catalytic converter can provide the best low carbon heating solution. These units ignite gasses and particles that were ignited during the initial burning in a subsequent phase by mixing them with superheated air. They then funnel the remaining particulates and gasses through a catalytic combustor for the third and final combustion, further the reduction of emissions to levels that is well below the government standards.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the greatest efficiency that is achievable. This results in the release of very small particles into air when burning wood. The stove's air management system controls the intake and venting of gases, ensuring the combustion process is conducted in a sealed, controlled atmosphere. It also regulates flame height to maximize the output of heat and reduce emissions.

This means that your chimney as well as the surrounding area will be a lot cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, resulting from incompletely burned wood can cause respiratory issues, such as coughing and wheezing, and contribute to heart disease and stroke, diabetes and other serious ailments. The smoke caused by wood burning is a contributory factor in poor air quality in urban areas.

The smoke that is emitted from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate pollution and hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and other organs, causing damage, discomfort and even death. Dust particles from the air can also cause a hazard to surfaces within your home with a smudge-like sensation.

It is important to select good quality, seasoned and dried firewood when you use your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods like oak beech, ash, and ash are the most efficient for heating. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content and they offer more heat than softwoods.

You should also check whether your local authority has any regulations regarding wood burning. These could include nuisance/odor regulations and visible emissions, or the opacity limit for smoke.

If you have a wood stove with a glass door it is important to keep the glass free of dirt and deposits. You can use a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray to accomplish this. You can also mix bicarbonate of a soda with a small amount of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also essential. This includes regular chimney cleanings to remove creosote and ensure proper functioning of the flue. It is also recommended to note the dates of periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and prolong the life of your wood burner.

Low Maintenance

Many people prefer installing wood-burning fireplaces due to the warmth and natural beauty they provide. However, this type of fire requires some care and maintenance. The chimney, flue and stove are all potential sources of house fires if not cleaned and maintained regularly. Fireplaces can also be an excellent source of warmth when the power goes out, especially in winter when snow storms can cause tree branches to fall and rip up power lines.

Using a wood stove to heat your home will reduce your carbon footprint considerably compared to other fossil fuel sources such as gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are designed to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means that they produce very low emissions. The more well-seasoned the wood is and the better it 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 maintenance and care. They should be kept away from combustible material and have a screen. Keeping the grate clear of ash and debris will aid in the flow of air and will stop the fire from dying too quickly and keep your indoors clean. It is important to have your stove and chimney swept at least two times per year to prevent the accumulation of creosote, which can cause an fire hazard or blockage and hinder ventilation.

A wood burning stove has to be tended constantly and it can take a while for a new homeowner to master the art of how to light, ignite, and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've mastered the art of burning, your wood burning stove will be an ideal source of warmth and comfort within your home.

Fireplaces that burn wood have been around in a variety of forms for over 500 years and they've gained a new following because of their effectiveness and sustainability, as well as the natural warmth and smell of real wood. Talk to your local Regency dealer about the benefits of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're planning to buy a new heater.