Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When choosing the right wood stove, be aware of factors such as the capacity of heating and size, combustion technology aesthetics, maintenance, and safety features. A modern wood stove that is installed correctly and selected will meet your heating needs and enhance the ambience of your home. It will also align with your environmental values.
Look for features that make it easier to maintain your stove, and keep the glass crystal clear. Choose a wood stove that has a self-cleaning window.
conservatory wood burner and cleaning
When selecting your wood burner, it's important to think about the ease of cleaning and maintenance that the stove offers. Look for stoves that have removable ash pans or trays, which make it easy to clean out the ash residue. In addition, you should look for stoves with easy-access mechanisms for cleaning the flue and chimney. Many modern wood burning stoves even come with glass doors that self-clean, making them an ideal option for those looking to cut down on the amount of cleaning and maintenance required.
The amount of time it takes to clean your stove depends on the fuel you are using and the way it is burnt. For instance, if you burn hardwood your stove will require frequent cleaning since the tar that is formed on the glass needs regular removal, unlike those who burn lighter coals. To reduce the amount tar that accumulates on your stove's glass, you may try using a specific glass cleaner. However, ensure that you read the instructions carefully since too much cleaner may harm the glass.
Airwash systems are also available on a variety of modern multifuel and wood stoves. They assist in keeping the glass windows clean. It works by passing air over the glass from above, which prevents the build-up of tar and allows to see the flames within the stove.
For more frequent cleaning you should be checking the ashpan each when you use your stove and empty it as needed. It is recommended that you empty the ashpan at least every 4 to 6 weeks. If you're not sure when to empty your ashpan, ask your installer or manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70 percent of the organic material burned directly into heat. This is a huge benefit for anyone looking to reduce their heating costs while being more self-sufficient.
The stove makers have responded to demand of consumers by developing cutting-edge technology that reduces particulate emission significantly. The majority of modern log-burning fireplaces have been certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles in full operation. This is an amazing achievement, which would have been impossible just a few years ago.
In addition, wood burning stoves are a carbon-neutral form of heating if you use responsibly sourced wood logs. During their growth phase trees eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn for heating, they release a similar amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a circle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels like gas which create 0.198kg of carbon for every kilowatt of heat and electricity that generates a cost of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as a secondary source of heating will also help to ease pressure on the national grid during peak nighttime consumption times. Combining a wood burning stove with a condensing pellet boiler or an air-source heatpump, can provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are an environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuel heat. If the wood used for heating is harvested in a responsible manner and managed, it's carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and when they're burned the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, thereby ending the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are constructed to last. The materials are of high quality and are resistant to warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They also have easy-to-clean combustion systems which help reduce the amount of smoke and soot generated by the stove. You can also choose a wood burner with an auto-ignition system which means that you don't have to manually light the fire each time you use it.
Wood is more affordable than other types of heating on a basis of bTU. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, so heating costs will remain consistent year after year.
If you're seeking a stove that has the best mix of durability, efficiency and visual appeal Look at this model from Mendip. The large-screen window gives you fantastic views of flames and plenty of room for logs to be placed below the firebox. It's DEFRA approved, complies with Ecodesign Standards and has clearSkies level 5 certification.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse offers another attractive option for wood burning. This slender multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80%. Its generous window gives excellent fire visuals and comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clear. It comes in traditional colours and contemporary ones. The model comes with an innovative catalytic combustor that can be utilized with briquettes, coal, or logs.
Style
Modern wood burning stoves are available in various styles that can be suited to any home. They can be designed in any style, and come in a variety of colors to match the interior design of your home. Many of them have decorative details and trims which add to their appeal. You can select a stove with an integrated log storage, which will help keep your fireplace clean and neat.
Modern log burners are made to an extremely high standard and have a good reputation for reliability. Modern combustion technology permits them to efficiently burn wood while reducing emissions, making them a greener alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) produced by up to 50%, and some are even capable of reducing the emissions of dioxins and furans.
The most modern generation of wood burners burn creosote produced by burning wood fuel through a secondary combustion method. This can be done directly or by the passage of wood through a catalyst converter. This aids in cleaning the air in your home. However, it is important to note that some stove brands still produce some PM generated by the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a highly efficient modern wood stove that produces very low PM. This 5kW multifuel stove features a large porthole window which is maintained clean by an airwashing system. It generates a substantial amount of heat for rooms that are medium-sized. It is DEFRA approved and Ecodesign certified. It is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their fireplace or add a second heating source.
Safety
A wood stove can be a fantastic source of heat, however it also causes harmful particles to release into the air. These are referred to as particulate matter, and they can affect our health and increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses. Fortunately, modern wood stoves are designed to minimize these emissions. Ecodesign stoves are designed to comply with European guidelines on particulate matter. They utilize a more hot firebox to reignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they exit the chimney. This means they need less logs to generate the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The best way to reduce the emissions from your home is to use wood fuel certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for at least two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that has not been seasoned because they can produce excessive levels of toxic gasses and smoke.
To avoid the accumulation of ash, it's important to keep the fire burning to a minimum until the ashes have been cool. Other safety measures include keeping the door closed when you are not tending to the fire, not touching the stove or flue pipe unless it is completely cool and always putting out the fire before leaving the house or going to go to bed.
You should also get your stove checked by an engineer each year to ensure that it's operating properly. This will reduce particulate matter, organic gaseous compounds and carbon monoxide emissions. It will also ensure that the flue gas temperature stays above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC) which is essential to ensure the safety of wood stoves.