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How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

Wood stoves, unlike traditional open fireplaces, are designed to burn wood. This enables them to comply with the stricter emission requirements.

Wood burning stoves provide glowing yellow flames, cozy crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. However the smoke that it produces includes carbon monoxide and harmful air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide beautiful and natural heat source to the home, but they are also extremely efficient. A top-quality wood stove can be eco-friendly up to 77 percent. With the rising cost of energy, it is important to ensure you get the most value from your log stove – the good thing is that this is much simpler than ever before!

The moisture content of firewood is an important factor that determines how efficient a wood-burning stove is. This is the reason we suggest only using seasoned wood that has been dried for a minimum of one year, and often two years. The more dry the wood the more efficiently it burns which means less smoke and less harmful emissions.

Another great benefit of a wood burning stove is that it’s a low carbon source of fuel, which is great for the environment. Furthermore, by buying locally-sourced firewood, you’re helping to support the active management of forests which is a wonderful aspect for wildlife.

The only thing a wood-burning stove needs in terms of maintenance is to take away and get rid of the ash. It’s somewhat of a hassle but it’s worth it to get the maximum heat from every log. Furthermore, if you wait 2-3 days for the ashes to completely cool they can be used to make an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry and absorb smells.

A fireplace with a wood burner is a timeless classic. Although they’re less popular than gas fireplaces, there is no denying the beauty and enthralling sound of a roaring log fire. They are ideal to cuddle to on cold winter evenings, and they create a warm and welcoming space in your home. Making the investment in a top-quality wood burner will pay for itself for a long time. Our chimney sweeps are here to assist you in getting the most out of your stove – give us a call now to find out more.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that are efficient and clean are the most effective method to save money while keeping your house warm. As an added benefit they also help to support local woodland management, which is a great way of supporting the wildlife in your local area.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are maintained properly and are used with dry, seasoned and dry firewood. However, when they are not well maintained or made of poor quality wood the smoke that is produced by them contains fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that 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 found in. Inhaling air pollution can cause lung irritation and trigger asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and irritation of the lungs. It can also lead to cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Some people are worried that wood-burning stoves cause climate change, but this isn’t necessarily true. Wood burning is a carbon neutral energy source. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its life. After burning, the carbon is released into the atmosphere.

The wood is sourced locally, which reduces the amount of pollution produced during the transport process. It is also essential to select top quality well-seasoned hardwoods, as they will give an extended and even burn than softwoods.

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

To avoid the buildup of exhaust within your home, all wood-burning stoves should be vented fully to the outside. By keeping flames above the logs and ensuring that you use dry, seasoned wood, all of our current clean burn and DEFRA exempt stoves are capable of producing very clear exhaust and have particle levels of 60 or more lower than the DEFRA limit.

A wood burning stove equipped with an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit could provide the most efficient low-carbon solution for heating. These units re-ignite the gases and particulates that were ignited during the initial combustion in a second stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gases and particulates are then pumped through a catalytic combustion unit for a final third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels well below government standards.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves are engineered to burn fuel with the highest efficiency that is achievable. This results in the emission of a small amount of particles into the air when burning wood. The stove’s air management system controls the intake and venting of gases, ensuring that the combustion process is conducted in a closed, controlled environment. It also regulates the flame height to minimize emissions and increase the heat output.

This means your chimney and its surroundings will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood can cause respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing in people and contributes to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health conditions. Air pollution caused by wood burning is an important factor in poor urban air quality.

The smoke from poorly combusted wood contains fine particulate pollution as well as hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can reach deep into the organs of the lungs and cause discomfort, damage and even death. Dust particles from the air can also cause a hazard to surfaces in your home with a smudge-like feel.

It is essential to use only good quality, seasoned and dried firewood when using your fireplace with a wood burner. Hardwoods such as oak beech, ash and are the best choice for heating. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content and they provide more heat than softwoods.

It is also important to determine if your local authority has regulations regarding wood burning. These rules may include rules regarding odors or nuisances, as well as visible emissions or smoke opacity limits.

If you have a wood burner with a glass door it is important to keep the glass free of dirt and deposits. You can make use of a dry towel or oven cleaner spray to do this. Alternatively, you can mix bicarbonate of a soda with a small amount of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also vital. Regular chimney cleanings are required to get rid of creosote and to ensure that the flue is working correctly. Also, make sure you mark dates for periodic inspections in your calendar, as this will help you avoid costly repairs and extend the longevity of your wood burner.

Low Maintenance

Wood burning fireplaces are popular because they offer natural warmth. This kind of fireplace needs some maintenance and upkeep. If not cleaned and maintained regularly the chimney, flue, and stove can all be fire hazards in your home. These fireplaces also provide heat in the event of an electrical outage, especially during winter storms, when tree branches can fall and power lines may be ripped down.

By using a wood stove to heat your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint when compared to other fossil fuel sources like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are made to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means they produce very low 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.

The fireplaces need some care and maintenance. They should be placed away from combustible material and have a screen installed. Cleaning the grate of debris and ash will help air flow and will stop the fire from dying out too quickly and keep your indoors clean. You should have your chimney and stove cleaned at least twice per year to avoid creosote accumulation that could create a fire hazard or clog and restrict circulation.

It can take a while for a new homeowner to learn to ignite, light and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you’ve mastered the art of building and maintaining an open flame in your wood burner, it will be a source of lasting pleasure that will provide heat and warmth for your home every year.

Wood burning fireplaces have been in use in one form or another for over 500 years and have rediscovered their popularity because of their effectiveness as well as their sustainability and natural warmth and smell of real wood. If you’re considering installing a new heater, speak with your local Regency certified dealer to learn more about the benefits of an insert or stove made of wood for your home.