Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When selecting the best wood stove, be aware of factors such as size and capacity for heating combustion technology aesthetics, maintenance, and safety features. A well-selected and properly installed modern wood stove will meet your heating requirements, improve the ambiance of your home, and also align with your environmental values.
Look for features that help you maintain your stove, and also keep the glass clean. For instance, choose the wood stove that has a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
When selecting a wood burner, it's important to take into consideration the ease of maintenance and cleaning that the stove offers. Look for stoves that have pans or trays for ash that are removable, making it easier to clean ash residue. You should also search for stoves with simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Many modern wood burning fireplaces come with self-cleaning doors. This makes them a perfect option for those looking to reduce the amount of time they need to clean and maintain.
The frequency with which you should clean your stove will depend on the fuel you're using and the efficiency with which it is burned. For instance, if you burn hardwood, your stove will require more frequent cleaning since the tar that is formed on the glass needs more regular removal than if you burn softer coals. To lessen the amount of tar that builds up on your stove's glass, you can try using a special glass cleaner, but make sure that you follow the directions carefully because too much cleaner can harm the glass.
Airwash systems are also found on a variety of modern multifuel and wood stoves. They assist in keeping the glass windows clean. The system works by circulating air through the glass from above, which helps prevent the accumulation of tar and allows to see the flames inside the stove.
You should empty the ashpan when necessary. You should aim to empty the ashpan at least each 4-6 weeks. Ask your installer or manufacturer if you're not sure how frequently to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70% of the organic material burnt directly into heat. This is an advantage for anyone who wishes to cut down on heating costs while remaining self-sufficient.
The stove makers have responded to the demands of the market by introducing advanced technology that reduces the emission of particulates drastically. A lot of new stoves for burning wood are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particulates when in operation this is an incredible feat that would have been impossible a few years ago.
Wood burning stoves can be a carbon-neutral heating option when they are used with wood logs that have been harvested responsibly. In their growth phase trees take carbon dioxide out and when they are burned for heat and electricity, they release the same amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is a cycle that is better for the planet than fossil fuels such as gas, which release 0.198kg of CO2 for each kilowatt and electricity, which produces a costly amount 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 or pellet boiler or air-source heatpump can offer an efficient and sustainable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel heat. Carbon neutrality is attainable as long as the wood is responsibly harvested and managed. The trees absorb carbon dioxide and when they're burned the carbon is released back into the air, complete the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are constructed to last for a long time. The materials are of top quality and resist warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They also come with easy-to-clean combustion mechanisms that aid in reducing the amount of smoke and soot produced by the stove. You can even opt for wood burners that have an auto-ignition mechanism, which means you don't have to manually light the fire each time you use it.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is comparatively affordable on a per-bTU basis. It is also less volatile than fossil fuels which means that heating costs will be consistent year after year.
This Mendip model is the perfect option if you're looking for an appliance that has the highest level of efficiency and durability as well as visual appeal. The large-screen window gives you fantastic views of flames and plenty of room for logs to be placed below the firebox. It's also DEFRA-approved, meets Ecodesign standards and has clearSkies level five credentials.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse is a great alternative for wood burning. This slender, multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a decent seasonal efficiency of 80%. The large window gives you an excellent view of the fire and includes an air-wash system that keeps it clean. It comes in traditional colors and modern versions. The model also has an efficient catalytic combustor, and is suitable for use with logs, briquettes or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners come in a range of styles to suit every home. They can be designed to fit in any style of room and are available in a broad range of colours to match your interior design. Many of them also have decorative trimmings and other details that improve their appearance. wood burning stove in conservatory can choose a stove that has an integrated log storage which will ensure that your fireplace is kept clean and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to a high quality and have a good reputation for reliability. Modern combustion technology allows the efficient burning of wood while reducing emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce particulate matter (PM), and even dioxins, up to 50%.
The most recent generation of wood burners utilize a secondary combustion process to burn the creosote that is created by burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by using catalyst converter. This can help clean your home's air. It is important to note that some stoves emit a small amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a very efficient modern wood burner that produces very low PM. The stove is 5kW and has a large window for portholes that is kept clean with an airwashing system. It produces a good amount of heat for rooms with medium size. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign certified. It is a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade their fireplace or add another heating source.
Safety
A wood stove can be an excellent source of warmth but it also releases harmful particles into the air. These are referred to as particulate matter and they can impact our health and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Thankfully, modern wood stoves are designed to reduce the emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example designed to meet the strict European directives on particulate matter. They make use of a more hot fireplace to reignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. They also make use of fewer logs to generate the same heat as other stoves.
The best 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 at least two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can create large amounts of harmful gases and smoke.
To avoid the accumulation of ash, it is essential to keep the fire burning low until the ashes have removed. Other measures to protect yourself include closing the door when not working on the flame, avoiding touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cooled and always putting out the stove prior to leaving the house or going to sleep.
It is also recommended to have your stove checked by an engineer annually to ensure that it's operating properly. This will reduce particulate matter organic gaseous compound and carbon monoxide emissions. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit at 121 degrees Celsius. This is crucial to ensure the safety of a wood stove.