Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Choosing the right wood stove is a matter of weighing aspects like the capacity of heating and size and design, combustion technology, materials, aesthetics maintenance, and safety features. A modern wood stove that is installed correctly and selected will satisfy your heating requirements and increase the ambience of your home. It also will align with your environmental standards.
Look for features that allow you to maintain your stove and ensure that the glass is clean. Choose a wood stove that has a self-cleaning window.
Cleaning and maintenance is easy
When choosing a wood burner, it is important to consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance the stove offers. Consider stoves that come with pans or trays for ash that are removable which make it easier to wash the ash residue. Similarly, you should consider stoves that have simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning fireplaces come with doors that automatically clean. This makes them a perfect option for those looking to reduce the amount they have to clean and maintain.
The frequency with which you need to clean your stove will be contingent on the fuel you're using and the efficiency with which it burns. If second hand wood burning stoves burn hardwoods, you will need to clean your stove more often because the tar that covers the glass has to be removed more frequently than if burning softer coals. To lessen the amount of tar that forms on your stove's glass, you may try using a specific glass cleaner - but make sure that you read the instructions carefully as too much cleaner could cause damage to the glass.
Airwash systems are also available on many modern wood and multifuel stoves. They assist in keeping the glass windows clean. This works by passing air over the glass from above, which prevents the build-up of tar and makes it easier to see the flames in the stove.
It is recommended to empty the ashpan when necessary. Empty the ashpan every 4-6 weeks. Contact your installer or manufacturer if you're unsure when to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
When compared with gas and electric fires the modern wood burning stoves are extremely energy efficient and convert 70% of the organic material directly into heat. This is a huge benefit for anyone who wants to reduce their heating costs while being more self-sufficient.
The stove makers have adapted to the growing demands of the market by introducing advanced technology that cuts down on particulate emissions drastically. Many of the new stoves that burn wood are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particulates when in full operation this is an incredible feat that would have been impossible a few years ago.
Additionally wood-burning stoves are carbon neutral forms of heating when made from responsibly wood logs that are sourced from sustainable sources. During their growth phase trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn to heat, they release a similar amount of CO2 back into the atmosphere. This is a circle that is more sustainable for the environment than fossil fuels like gas which create 0.198kg of carbon for each kilowatt of heat and electricity which produces a costly 0.517kg per Kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as your secondary source of heating also helps to reduce the strain on the national grid during peak evening consumption times. The utilization of a wood burner in conjunction with a condensing boiler pellet boiler, or air-source heat pump provides the ideal mix for a sustainable and cost-effective home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a renewable alternative to heating. If the wood used for heating is harvested responsibly and managed, it's carbon neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide and when they're burned the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, thereby completing the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are built to last for a long time. They're made from high-quality materials that resist warping or damage caused by excessive heat. They feature easy-to-clean burners that minimize the amount of smoke and soot generated by the stove. You can select a wood stove with an automatic ignition system so that you don't need to manually light it each time.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is comparatively inexpensive on a per-bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, so you can expect to have consistent heating costs throughout the year. out.
If you're looking for a stove which offers the best combination of durability, efficiency and aesthetic appeal look at this model from Mendip. The widescreen window offers stunning views of the flame and plenty of space for logs to be placed below the firebox. It's also DEFRA approved, is compliant with Ecodesign standards and has level five clearSkies qualifications.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is a different, impressive choice for wood burning. This slender multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a decent seasonal efficiency of 80 percent. Its large windows provide stunning fire visuals and comes with an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. It comes in traditional colors as well as contemporary ones. The model also features a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners come in a variety of styles to suit every home. They can be designed to suit any style of room and come in a wide selection of colors to complement your interior design. Many of them have decorative trims and details which add to their appeal. You can also pick a stove with an integrated log store which can help to keep your fireplace neat and tidy.
All modern log burners are made to a high standard and have a great reputation for reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to burn wood efficiently while reducing emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves can cut down on the amount of particulate matter (PM) released by up to 50% and some are capable of reducing emissions of dioxins and furans.
The latest generation of wood burners use secondary combustion to burn the creosote that is produced when burning wooden fuel. This is done either directly or by passing the wood through a catalytic converter which aids in cleaning the air in your home. It is important to remember that certain stoves emit a tiny amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, contemporary wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production is a great example. The 5-kW multi-fuel stove has large windows that resemble portholes. It is kept clean with an airwash system and has a good heat output for medium-sized rooms. It is DEFRA certified and Ecodesign compliant. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their existing fireplace or add a new heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat, but it can also cause harmful particles to release into the air. These particles are called particulate matter, and can have a negative effect on our health and increase the likelihood of respiratory illnesses. Modern wood stoves are designed specifically to reduce the amount of emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example, are engineered to meet the strict European directives on particulate matter. They make use of a more hot fireplace to re-ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. They also use fewer logs in order to produce the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The most effective way to reduce emissions is to use wood fuel that has been approved by the Woodsure Ready to Burn Scheme and only dry wood that has been been seasoned for a minimum of two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can produce large amounts of toxic gasses and smoke.
To avoid the build-up of ash, it is essential to keep the fire burning to a minimum until the ashes have been cool. Other measures to ensure safety include closing the door when not taking care of the fire, never touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cooled and always extinguishing the stove before leaving the home or going to sleep.
It's recommended to have your stove checked by an engineer at minimum each year to make sure it is working properly. This will lower emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compounds and particulate matter. It will also ensure that the flue gas temperature remains at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC), which is critical for safe operation of a wood stove.