Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When deciding on the right wood stove, consider factors such as the capacity of heating and size combustion technology aesthetics, maintenance and safety features. A properly-chosen and installed modern wood stove will meet your heating requirements, improve the ambience of your home, and be in line with your environmental goals.
Find features that make it simple to maintain your stove and keep the glass clean. For instance, choose a wood stove with a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and easy cleaning
It is essential to select a wood burner that offers easy maintenance and cleaning. Find stoves with removable ash trays or pans which make it easier to wash the ash residue. Also, you should look for stoves with access mechanisms that make it easy to clean the flue and chimney. Many modern wood-burning fireplaces have doors that automatically clean. This makes them a great option for those looking to reduce the amount of work required to clean and maintain.
The frequency with which you should clean your stove will be contingent on the type of fuel you are using and how well it burns. If you are burning hardwoods, you'll need to clean your stove more often because the tar on the glass must be removed more frequently than if burning lighter coals. You can make use of a glass cleaning product to reduce the amount of tar that forms on the stove's window. But be freestanding wood burning stove to read the instructions since too much cleaner can damage the glass.
A lot of modern woodburning and multifuel stoves also feature an airwash system that helps keep the windows clean. This works by passing air over the glass from above, which helps prevent the accumulation of the tar and helps to see the flames within the stove.
You should empty the ashpan when necessary. It is recommended to empty the ashpan every every four to six weeks. If you're not sure when to empty your ashpan, then ask your installer or manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more energy efficient than electric or gas fires. They convert 70% of the organic material burned directly into heat. This is a huge benefit for those looking to reduce their heating expenses while being more self-sufficient and embracing renewable sources of fuel.
Stove manufacturers have listened to consumer demands by introducing cutting-edge technology that drastically reduces particulate emissions. Many new log-burning stoves are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particulates in full operation This is an amazing feat that was unimaginable in the past.
Wood burning stoves can be a carbon-neutral heating option when they are used in conjunction with wood logs that have been harvested responsibly. When they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn to heat, they release an equal amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a cycle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas, which produce 0.198kg of CO2 for each Kilowatt, and electricity, which produces an expensive amount of 0.517kg for each Kilowatt.
A wood-burning stove can also help to reduce the pressure on the national grid at peak evening hours. Combining a wood-burning stove with a condensing or pellet boiler or air-source heatpump, can provide an efficient and sustainable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves offer an alternative that is sustainable to fossil fuel heat. Carbon neutrality is achievable as long as the wood is responsibly sourced and properly managed. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and when they're burnt, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, thereby complete the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are designed to last for a long time. The materials are of top quality and are resistant to warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They have easy-to-clean burning systems which reduce the amount of smoke and soot produced by the stove. You can also choose a wood stove with an auto-ignition feature, which means you don't need to manually light the fire every time you use it.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is comparatively affordable on a per-bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can anticipate consistent heating costs year in and out.
If you're looking for a stove which provides the best combination of efficiency, durability and aesthetic appeal look at this model from Mendip. The widescreen windows allow for an amazing view of the flames, and there's plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, meets Ecodesign Standards and has level 5 clearSkies certification.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is another stunning option for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a decent seasonal efficiency of 80%. Its generous window gives stunning fire visuals and comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass in good condition. Suitable for smoke control areas, it's available in both traditional and contemporary colours. The model also features an efficient catalytic combustor, and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners can be found in different styles that can be suited to any house. They can be built in any style and come in a variety of colors to complement the style of your home. A lot of them feature decorative details and trims which add to their appeal. You can select a stove that has an integrated log storage, which will help keep your fireplace clean and neat.
Modern log burners are constructed to a high quality and have a good reputation for reliability. Modern combustion technology allows them to efficiently burn wood, reducing emissions and making them a more sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) produced by up to 50 percent, and some are even capable of reducing the emission of dioxins and furans.
The most modern generation of wood burners produce creosote by burning wood fuel using a secondary combustion method. This can be done directly or by the passage of wood through a catalyst converter. This can help clean your home's air. It is important to remember that certain stoves emit a tiny amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, a modern wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production is a great example. The stove is 5kW and has a an enormous porthole-like window that is kept clean with an airwash system and has a good heating capacity for rooms of mid-sized size. It is DEFRA certified and Ecodesign certified. This makes it an excellent choice for those who wants to upgrade their current fireplace or add a new heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of warmth, but it also releases harmful particles into the air. These particles are called particulate matter, and they can have a negative effect on our health and increase the likelihood of respiratory illnesses. Fortunately, modern wood stoves are designed to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves are engineered to meet European guidelines on particulate matter. They use a hotter fireplace to ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. They also make use of fewer logs to provide the same heat as other stoves.
The most effective way to cut down on 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 seasoned for at least two weeks. Avoid using unseasoned wood or briquettes as they can cause large amounts of toxic fumes and smoke.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it is essential to keep the fire burning at a low temperature until the ashes are cool. Other safety measures include closing the door when not working on the fire, never touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cooled and always turning off the stove prior to leaving the house or going to sleep.
You should also check your stove with an engineer every year to ensure it's functioning correctly. This will help reduce particulate matter, organic gaseous compounds and carbon monoxide emissions. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit 121 degrees Celsius, which is crucial for the safe operation of a wooden stove.