25 Surprising Facts About Wood Burner Fireplace

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

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

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

Efficient

fireplaces wooden and stoves made of wood offer a stunning and natural heat to the home, but they are also incredibly efficient. A good quality wood burner can achieve an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77%. It is crucial to get the most value of your log stove particularly with the increasing energy costs. The good news is it's now easier than ever before to do!

A key factor in the efficiency of the wood-burning stove is is the water content of the wood. This is the reason we suggest only using seasoned wood which has been dried for a minimum of 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 is a low-carbon fuel source, which is great for the environment. If you buy locally-sourced wood, you can also help to promote the active conservation and management of forests. This is great for wildlife.

The only thing a wood-burning stove requires in terms maintenance is to remove and eliminate the ash. This can be a little bit of a nuisance, but it is worth it to ensure you get the maximum heat from each and every log. In addition that if you wait a couple of days for the ashes to fully cool they can be used to make an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery or absorb the odors.

A wood-burning fireplace is an old-fashioned classic. While they may be less popular than gas fires however, there's no denying the charm and enthralling sound of a roaring log fire. They're perfect for cosying with on cold winter evenings and are a great way to create an inviting and warm space in the heart of your home. A high-quality wood burner will pay for itself for a long time. Our chimney sweeps are here to help you get the most out of your stove - give us a call today to learn more.

Low Carbon

Burners that are efficient and clean are one of the best ways to save money on logs while keeping your home warm. As an added benefit they also aid in local woodland management, which is a excellent way to help the wildlife that lives in your local environment.

Wood-burning fireplaces electric and stoves create minimal pollution when they are properly maintained and operated with dry, seasoned firewood. However, if they're not maintained well or made of poor quality wood the smoke generated by them can contain fine particles (known as particulate pollution) which can cause irritation to the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, air pollutants that are toxic such as benzene and formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also present. Inhaling these types of air pollution can cause lung irritation as well as wheezing, coughing, and asthma attacks. It could even lead to serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Some people worry that using a wood burning stove could contribute to climate change however this isn't necessarily true. Burning wood is a carbon-neutral energy source. Through the life of a tree it absorbs carbon dioxide and when it is burnt, the carbon absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.

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

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

All wood burning stoves must be fully vented to the outside of your home to ensure that they do not create a haze of exhaust in your house. By keeping the flames in the vicinity of the logs and ensuring that you use dry, seasoned wood, all of our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves can produce extremely clear exhaust and have particulate levels that are 60% or more below the DEFRA limit.

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

Clean Burn

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

This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) caused by incomplete combustion of wood can cause respiratory problems like wheezing and coughing and can contribute to the development of heart diseases such as stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. 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 matter and dangerous 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 discomfort, injury, and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate the surfaces of your home and give the impression of a rough surface to rooms.

When using your wood-burning fireplace it is important to make use of high-quality firewood that has been seasoned and dried. The most efficient woods for heating are hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech. Hardwoods have a high density and BTU content. They also offer more heat than softwoods.

You should also determine if your local authority has any rules regarding wood burning. These could include nuisance/odor regulations and visible emissions, or smoke opacity limits.

If you have a wood burner with glass doors, it's important to keep the glass free of dirt and deposits. This can be done using a dry cloth or oven cleaner spray. Alternatively, you can add bicarbonate of soda with a little 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 ensure that the flue is operating properly. You should also mark the dates of periodic inspections on your calendar. This will allow you prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your wood stove.

Low Maintenance

Wood burning fireplaces are very popular due to their natural warmth. This type of fireplace requires a bit of maintenance and upkeep. The chimney, flue, and stove are all potential sources of house fires if not cleaned and maintained regularly. These wooden fireplaces are also a great source of heat when the power goes out, particularly in winter, when snow storms could cause branches to fall from trees and rip up power lines.

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

They require some maintenance and attention, such as ensuring they are placed away from burning materials and a screening is in place. Making sure the grate is free of debris and ash will help air flow and prevent the fire from dying too quickly and keep your home clean. It is recommended that your stove and chimney cleaned every year at least two times to avoid creosote accumulation, which can be a dangerous ethanol fire hazard and obstructions that could hinder circulation.

A wood burning stove needs to be tended constantly and it could take some time for a beginner homeowner to understand how to ignite, light, and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you've learned the art, your wood burner will be an ideal source of warmth and comfort in your home.

Wood-burning fireplaces have been in use in one form or another for more than 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. If you're considering the purchase of a new heater, consult with your local certified Regency dealer to find out more about the advantages of a wood stove or insert for your home.