GitLab

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

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

Wood burning stoves provide dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sounds and that primal sense of warmth. The smoke that is produced contains toxic air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide a beautiful and natural heat source to the home, and they are incredibly efficient. A high-quality wood burner can have an Ecodesign rating of up to 77%. With the rising cost of energy, it is crucial to ensure you get the most value from your log stove - the good thing is that this is more simple than ever!

One of the main factors that determines the effectiveness of the wood-burning stove is is the moisture content of the firewood. This is why we suggest only using seasoned wood, which has been dried for at least one year, and more often two years. The more dry the wood is and the more efficient it is to burn. This results in lesser smoke and fewer harmful emissions.

A wood burning stove also has the benefit of being an eco-friendly fuel source which is good for the environment. Additionally, by purchasing locally-sourced firewood, you are aiding in the active management of forests, which is a great option for wildlife.

As far as maintenance is involved, the sole requirement of a wood burner is to regularly scoop up and dispose of the ash. It can be a bit of a hassle, but it's worth it to ensure that you get the maximum heat from each and every log. Additionally when you wait for a couple of days for the ashes to completely cool, they can be reused as a non-toxic and eco-friendly ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and absorb odors.

A fireplace with wood burning is an old-fashioned classic. Although they are less popular than gas fireplaces, the allure and ambiance of a roaring fire cannot be ignored. These fires are perfect for snuggling up with on cold nights, and they create a warm and welcoming space within your home. A high-quality wood burner will pay off for a long time. Call us today to learn more about how our skilled chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that burn efficiently and cleanly are the most effective option to save money while also keeping your home warm. Additionally, they can also assist in the local woodland management. It's a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your area.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. If they aren't properly maintained or when they use wood that is of poor quality, the smoke that is produced contains fine particles also known as particulate pollutants, which can irritate lung organs and other body organs. It also contains carbon monoxide as well as toxic 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 irritation of the lungs. It can also lead to cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Many people are concerned that using a wood burning stove will contribute to climate change however this isn't necessarily true. Wood burning is a carbon neutral energy source. The wood absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime. When it is burned, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.

The wood is sourced locally, which reduces the amount pollution that is released during transportation. It is important to use hardwoods that are seasoned and of top quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.

Modern wood stoves, like the ones manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick, emit much less pollution than older stoves. They have been tested and certified to meet 2020 EPA standards which are considerably more strict than previous emissions limits.

To avoid a build up of exhaust in your home, all wood burning stoves should be vented to the outside. All of our current DEFRA-exempt, clean burn stoves can produce very clear exhaust by keeping the flames above the wood logs and by using dry, seasoned firewood.

A wood-burning stove equipped with a hybrid unit or catalytic converter is the best low carbon heating solution. These units ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion in a subsequent stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are transported through a catalytic combustion unit for a final third combustion. This reduces emissions to levels far below the standards set by the government.

Clean Burn

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

This means that your chimney as well as the surrounding area will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also called particle pollution) caused by incomplete combustion of wood causes respiratory problems such as wheezing and coughing in people and can lead to the development of heart disease such as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Air pollution from wood combustion is an element that contributes to poor air quality in urban areas.

The smoke that is emitted from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate pollution and hazardous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can be absorbed into the lungs and other organs causing discomfort, harm, and even death. Airborne dust can also harm the surfaces in your home and create the impression of a rough surface to rooms.

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

It is also important to determine if your local authority has any regulations regarding wood burning. These may include rules regarding odors or nuisances and visible emissions or smoke opacity limitations.

It is important to keep the glass of a wood stove with a glass front free of deposits and dirt. You can use a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray to do this. You can also add bicarbonate soda and water to the glass.

Regular maintenance of your stove and chimney is also vital. This includes regular chimney cleanings to eliminate creosote as well as ensure proper operation of the flue. It is also important to mark the dates of periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to avoid costly repairs and extend your wood burner's life.

Low Maintenance

Wood burning fireplaces are very popular because they offer natural warmth. This kind of fireplace requires some maintenance and upkeep. If it is not maintained and cleaned regularly, the chimney, flue, and stove could all be potential sources of fires in your home. Fireplaces are also an excellent source of warmth when the power goes out, particularly in winter, when snow storms could cause tree branches to fall and knock down under-hanging power lines.

Using a wood stove for heating will reduce your carbon footprint significantly when compared to other fossil fuel sources such as gas. Modern wood stoves, inserts, and fireplaces are constructed to conform to EPA standards (Environmental Protection Agency) which means that they produce very little emissions. The more seasoned wood you use, the more efficient the stove will be. You'll require less wood to get the same amount of heat.

They require some maintenance and care, including ensuring they are positioned away from the ignition source and that a screen is installed. Keeping the grate clear of debris and ash will allow airflow and will stop the fire from dying out too quickly and keep your home clean. You should have your stove and chimney swept at least twice a year to prevent creosote accumulation which could cause fire hazards or blockage and hinder ventilation.

A wood-burning stove needs to be tended constantly and it can take a while for a beginner homeowner to understand how to light, ignite and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've mastered the art, your wood burning stove will be a source for warmth and comfort in your home.

Wood burning fireplaces have been in use in a variety of forms for over 500 years and they've regained popularity due to their effectiveness, sustainability, and the natural warmth and smell of real wood. Talk with your local Regency dealer about the advantages of wood stoves or inserts for your home if you're planning to purchase an entirely new heater.