Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
The selection of the right wood stove involves consideration of aspects like the heating capacity and size and design, combustion technology and materials, as well as 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.
Look for features that will aid in maintaining your stove, and keep the glass clear. Choose a stove made of wood with a self-cleaning window.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
When choosing a wood burner, it is important to consider the ease of maintenance and cleaning that the stove can provide. Look for stoves that have pans or trays that can be removed for ash that make it easier to clean the ash residue. In addition, you should consider stoves that have simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning stoves are even equipped with self-cleaning glass doors making them an ideal choice for those who want to cut down on the amount of cleaning and maintenance required.
The length of time you will need to clean your stove will depend on the fuel you use and how it is burnt. For instance, if you burn hardwood your stove will require more frequent cleaning since the tar that is formed on the glass requires 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 - but ensure that you follow the directions carefully because too much cleaner can cause damage to the glass.
Many modern multifuel and woodburning stoves also come with an airwash system that helps to keep the windows clear. The system works by circulating air over the glass from above, which helps prevent the build up of the tar and helps to see the flames within the stove.
For more regular cleaning it is recommended to check the ashpan each when you cook and empty it if needed. Empty the ashpan every 4-6 week. 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 electric or gas fires. They convert 70% of the organic material burned directly into heat. This is an enormous benefit for anyone looking to cut their heating costs whilst being more self-sufficient and adopting renewable energy sources.
Stove manufacturers have responded to the demands of consumers with cutting-edge technology that dramatically reduces particulate emissions. A majority of new fireplaces that burn wood are certified to emit fewer than 2.0 grams of fine particles when in full operation. This is a stunning achievement that would have been impossible just a few short years ago.
In addition to this wood burning stoves are carbon neutral forms of heating when made from responsibly sourced wood logs. During their growth phase trees eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn to heat, they release the same amount of CO2 back into the atmosphere. This is a cycle that is more beneficial for the planet than fossil fuels like gas, which release 0.198kg of CO2 for each Kilowatt and electricity, which generates a costly amount of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood burning stove could also aid in reducing pressure on the national grid at peak evening hours. The use of a wood burner together with a condensing or condensing boiler pellet boiler or air-source heat pump is the ideal combination for a green and affordable home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative to heating. So long as the wood used for heating is harvested in a responsible manner and is properly managed in a way that is carbon neutral. 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 built to last for a long time. They are constructed from top-quality materials that resist warping and damage from excessive heat. They also come with easy-to-clean combustion mechanisms that can reduce the amount of soot and smoke produced by the stove. You can choose the wood stove that comes with an ignition system that is automatic so that you don't have to manually light it every time.
As opposed to other forms of heating wood is comparatively cheap on a basis of bTU per. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, meaning you can expect to have consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is the perfect choice if you want a stove with the highest level of durability and efficiency, and also visual appeal. The widescreen window allows for an excellent view of the flames and there's plenty of space beneath the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, meets Ecodesign Standards and has clearSkies level 5 credentials.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse is a great alternative for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a decent seasonal efficiency of 80 percent. top wood burning stoves gives you an excellent view of the flame and is equipped with an air-wash system that keeps it clean. Ideal for areas that control smoke and is available in traditional and contemporary colors. The model has an innovative catalytic combustor that can be utilized with briquettes, coal or logs.
Style
Modern wood burning stoves are available in different styles that will suit any space. They can be constructed in any style and are available in a range of colors to match the interior design of your home. A lot of them feature decorative details and trims that add a touch of class. You can also pick a stove that has an integrated log store which can help keep your fireplace clean and neat.
Modern log burners are made to the highest standards and have a great reputation for reliability. The latest combustion technology enables them to burn wood efficiently and reduce emissions and make them an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce particulate matter (PM) and dioxins by up to 50%.
The most recent generation of wood burners employs a second combustion process to ignite the creosote that is created when burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by passing wood through a catalyst converter. This aids in cleaning your home's air. However, it is important to remember that certain brands of stoves still emit some PM emitted from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a very efficient modern wood burner that emits very little PM. This 5kW multi-fuel stove features an enormous porthole-like window that is kept clean by an airwash system. It offers a high heat output for medium-sized rooms. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign compliant. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their existing fireplace or to add an additional heating source.
Safety
A wood stove can be an excellent source of heat but it also releases harmful particles into the air. These are known as particulate matter and they can affect our health and increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses. Modern wood stoves are specifically designed to reduce the amount of emissions. Ecodesign stoves are designed to comply with European directives regarding particulate matter. They employ a larger firebox to ignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they escape the chimney. This means that they require less wood to generate the same amount of 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 seasoned for at least two weeks. You should also avoid using unseasoned wood and brquettes in your stove because they can create large amounts of gas and smoke.
To avoid the accumulation of ash, it is essential to keep the fire burning at a low temperature until the ashes have cooled. Other precautions include keeping the door closed when you're not working on the fire, not touching the stove or flue pipe unless it is completely cool, and always turning off the stove prior to leaving home or going to go to bed.
You should also get your stove checked by an engineer each year to ensure it's functioning properly. This will reduce particulate matter organic gaseous compounds, carbon monoxide emissions. This will ensure that the temperature of the flue gas is higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit or at 121 degrees Celsius. This is essential to ensure the safety of a wood stove.