Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Choosing the right wood stove requires a consideration of aspects like the capacity of heating and size of the stove, combustion technology, materials, aesthetics maintenance, and safety features. A modern wood burner that is properly installed and chosen will meet your heating requirements and increase the ambiance in your home. It will also be in line with your environmental goals.
Find Wood Burning Stoves that help you maintain your stove, and keep the glass clear. Select a wood stove that has a self-cleaning window.
Ease of maintenance and cleaning
It is important to choose the right wood burner that provides easy maintenance and cleaning. Look for stoves that have removable ash pans or trays that make it simple to clean the ash residue. You should also look for stoves that come with access mechanisms that make it easy to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning stoves even come with self-cleaning glass doors, making them a great option for those looking to reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance required.
The frequency you must clean your stove will be contingent on the fuel you're using and the efficiency with which it is burned. If you are burning hardwoods, you'll require cleaning your stove more often as the tar on the glass has to be removed more frequently than when burning softer coals. To lessen the amount of tar that accumulates on your stove's glass, you can try using a special glass cleaner - but be sure to read the instructions carefully as too much cleaner could cause damage to the glass.
Many modern multifuel and woodburning stoves also have an airwash system, which assists in keeping the windows clean. This system operates by blowing air from above over the glass, which helps to keep it clean and also prevents the buildup of tar.
For more regular cleaning it is recommended to check the ashpan every time you use your stove and empty it if needed. It is recommended that you empty the ashpan every every 4 to 6 weeks. Contact your installer or manufacturer if you're not sure how frequently to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
When compared to gas and electric fires, modern wood burners are extremely energy efficient converting 70% of the organic material directly to heat. This is a huge advantage for those looking to reduce their heating costs whilst being more self-sufficient and embracing renewable sources of fuel.
The stove manufacturers have responded to the demands of the market by introducing advanced technology that reduces the emission of particulates drastically. The majority of modern log-burning fireplaces are certified to emit fewer than 2.0 grams of fine particles when they are in full operation. This is an amazing achievement, which was unimaginable just a few short years ago.
In addition wood-burning stoves are a carbon neutral method of heating when made from responsibly sourced wood logs. In their growth phase, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and when burned for heating they release the same amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a circle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels like gas, which release 0.198kg of carbon per Kilowatt of electricity or heat which produces a costly 0.517kg per kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as your secondary source of heating also helps to alleviate pressure on the national grid during peak nighttime consumption times. The use of a wood stove in conjunction with a condensing boiler, pellet boiler or air-source heat pump provides the perfect combination for a sustainable and cost-effective home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative to heating. If the wood used is sourced in a responsible manner and is properly managed and managed properly, it's carbon-neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide and when they're burnt, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, complete the cycle.
Modern wood stoves have been built to last. They're constructed of high-end materials that resist warping or damage from excessive heat. They also have easy-to-clean combustion systems which aid in reducing the amount of soot and smoke produced by the stove. You can pick a wood stove that has an automatic ignition system, so that you don't need to manually light it each time.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is fairly affordable on a per-bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can expect to have consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is a great option for those looking for a stove that offers the perfect blend of efficiency and durability, and also aesthetic appeal. Its widescreen window provides fantastic views of flames and plenty of room for logs beneath the firebox. It is also DEFRA approved, complies with Ecodesign Standards and has level 5 clearSkies qualifications.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is a different, impressive choice for wood burning. The stove is multi-fuel and has an efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA approved. The large window provides a great view of the fire and includes an air-wash system to keep it clean. Ideal for areas that control smoke, it's available in both traditional and contemporary colours. It also comes with a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners can be found in various styles that will suit any home. They can be designed to suit any room style and are available in a wide variety of colors to match your interior design. Many of them have decorative trims and details which add to their appeal. You can also pick one with an integrated log store which can help keep your fireplace neat and tidy.
All modern log burners are manufactured to an extremely high standard and have a great reputation for reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to efficiently burn wood and reduce emissions which makes them an eco friendly alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves are capable of reducing particulate matter (PM), and even dioxins, by up to 50 percent.
The most modern generation of wood burners produce creosote by burning wood fuel using a secondary combustion method. This is done either directly or by passing the wood through a catalytic converter, which helps clean the air in your home. However it is important to know that some brands of stoves still emit only a tiny amount of PM generated by the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a highly efficient modern wood burner that emits very little PM. This 5kW multi-fuel stove features a large porthole-esque window that is kept clean with an airwash system and has a good heating capacity for rooms of mid-sized size. It is also DEFRA approved and Ecodesign compliant. This means it is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their existing fireplace or to add an additional heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is a great source of heat, however it can also cause harmful particles to be released into the air. These particles are known as particulate matter, and can have a negative effect on our health and increase the likelihood of suffering from respiratory diseases. Modern wood stoves are specifically designed to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves are made to meet European guidelines regarding 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 provide the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The best method 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 seasoned for a minimum of two weeks. Also, avoid using unseasoned wood or brquettes in your stove as they may produce excessive levels of fumes and toxic gases.
It is also important to keep a fire burning at a moderate level until the ashes have cool and to regularly clear ash from the stove to avoid the build-up of. Other safety measures include keeping the door shut when you are not tending to the fire, never touching the stove or flue pipe unless it is completely cool, and always extinguishing the stove before leaving home or going to go to bed.
It is also recommended to have your stove checked by an engineer each year to ensure it's functioning properly. This will lower emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compound and particulate matter. It will also ensure that the flue gas temperature stays at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC) which is essential for safe operation of wood stoves.