Wood Burning Stoves
A wood-burning stove can be a wonderful addition to your home. You can choose from a variety of sizes and styles to suit your tastes. They can be installed on the wall or be free-standing.
Modern wood stoves adhere to strict EU regulations (often called Ecodesign) to provide high efficiency in fuel use and emission-free. Some are DEFRA exempt and can burn briquettes or other fuels that are smokeless.
What is a wood burning stove?
A wood stove is a self-standing heating appliance that burns wood to generate radiant heat in your home. Wood burning stoves have been used for hundreds of years and are an environmentally friendly alternative to heating your home with gas or oil. Modern stoves are technologically advanced and come in a variety styles to suit any taste. They operate on the same principle as fireplaces, however they produce more heat by using wood to generate radiant heat.
A high-quality stove will produce heat efficiently and is safe to use. The EPA label will indicate when the stove was made and what emission standards it complies with. It is recommended to select an older model that has been tested, and has been proven to be safe.
The majority of modern stoves use creosote to burn the vapours that are released during the combustion process, before they can escape into your home. They also burn fuel more efficiently which prevents smoke and soot issues in the fireplace.
You will need to have enough firewood to fuel your wood stove, as well as an area to store it. Also, you will require a class A chimney to vent the stove, as well as a suitable distance between the wood stove and walls and floors around it. You'll require that your chimney inspected regularly and cleaned by a professional to ensure the integrity of the stove and chimney.
Wood smoke is harmful to any lungs however, it is especially harmful to young children and older adults as well as those who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You can safeguard your family and yourself from harmful effects of wood smoke. Limit the time you spend in rooms with a stove, use the recirculate feature of the air conditioning, and keep the doors shut.
Size
Wood burning stoves can add an incredible feel of warmth and charm to your home. They're also energy efficient and can help you save money on heating costs. It is essential to select the right size stove for your space, however. If you choose a stove that is too small, it won't heat your home adequately. If you select a stove that is too large, fuel will be wasted. If you're not sure, it's best to consult with your installer. They'll conduct a site survey and help you choose the best size stove for your home.
Stoves are rated based on their nominal heat output. This is displayed as a number in kW. This is a guide to the maximum amount of heat they could produce under test conditions. This number should not be used as a guideline when deciding on a stove. The amount of heat produced depends on the type and the quality of fuel that you employ. You should also take into account how well insulated your home is and whether it's draughty.
There are a range of stoves that are available with each having a distinct design and finish. Some are more traditional, with rustic features and a basic colour scheme, whilst others are more contemporary, featuring clear lines large glass windows and new designs.
Ecodesign is the standard the majority of modern stoves follow which ensures high efficiency and emission-free. Look for the ClearSkies logo to be sure that you're buying an Ecodesign approved stove. They're between 80 and 90 percent more efficient than older stoves and open fires. This can help you save money on your energy bills, and is also a more eco-friendly choice.
Efficiency
Wood burning stoves, when properly designed and used they can be very efficient heaters. Modern models have extremely low emissions and a kilowatt hour of heat is available at a fraction of the price of electricity, gas or oil.
One of the most significant factors in a stove's efficiency is its ability to create an effective flame that burns logs correctly and for the longest duration possible. This will prevent a fire from 'going out' or releasing excessive smoke. Only using clean, kiln-dried logs from reputable British suppliers will help increase the efficiency of your stove, as will making sure that you do not overload the firebox or exceed its maximum heating capacity.
Stoves are constructed with great care and designed to perform at their best. The best wood burning stoves are insulated, sealed fireboxes and are manufactured with high-quality parts and materials. The firebox should be maintained at a constant temperature so that the wood can burn efficiently and prevent the flue from overheating.
Choosing the correct size stove for your space is also important to optimize heating efficiency. A stove that is too large for the room is less efficient, whilst one that is too small will cause over-firing and produce excessive smoke.
Eco-friendly wood burning stoves are becoming more popular. They are a great way to reduce the household's dependence on fossil fuels and can provide an acoustic, warmer heating. Wood is an energy source that is renewable and is better for the environment than fossil fuels or coal.
It is crucial to only use kiln dried wood that were grown and harvested sustainably. Always avoid wet or treated timber or waste wood, oiled wood, or pallet wood because they emit unpleasant odors and could cause damage to the stove and flue. Buying your wood from a trusted supplier with the Defra-approved "Ready to Burn' logo is an assurance that you are purchasing a good quality, dry, smokless and carbon neutral fuel for your stove.
Design
Wood burners come in many different styles and designs. Some are sleek and modern, while others have a more traditional feel. Some stoves are multi-fuel while others are strictly for wood. The design of your stove will influence the type of heat it produces and how well it fits into the overall design of your home.
In general when wood is burned in a stove it goes through two distinct processes: combustion and Pyrolysis. Combustion happens when hot wood is burnt and releases carbon monoxide as well as other byproducts that are released into the air. Pyrolysis occurs when wood is heated to higher temperatures, releasing gasses like hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. The resulting gases are then burned in the firebox to produce more carbon monoxide as well as other byproducts.
A lot of wood stoves are equipped with secondary combustion that is a catalytic unit that reburns byproducts of primary combustion. This reduces smoke, and other pollutants, significantly. This allows wood stoves operate at lower temperatures. There is less need for wood and the efficiency of the stoves increases.
Older stoves with no secondary combustion are less efficient and more polluting as unburned products are left to flow out through the flue. However, they are still popular due to their simplicity of use and the ambience they create.
Modern wood burners must comply with an established emission limit known as Ecodesign. These are determined by a minimum efficiency rating and lower maximum levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These are typically DEFRA approved and have the space beneath for stacking logs. Certain models have cleanAir technology that draws air into the unit to clean the glass and stop sooting or blackening.
Maintenance
To operate at its best wood stoves require regular maintenance. This includes cleaning it regularly, removing the ashes between fires, and making sure that gaskets are in good condition. Gaskets are used to protect the combustion process from air leakage If they're damaged, it can lead to problems such as smoke leakage and reduced efficiency. It is also essential to sweep the chimney on a regular basis to avoid fires in the chimney. It is recommended to do this twice each year at least, but it may be necessary to do so more frequently based on how often the stove is utilized.
Stoves come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some are more suitable for certain areas than others. For instance, a curved cylindrical design can be an attractive, modern addition to any room but still provide warmth and a focal feature. Colour is another factor that can affect maintenance, with lighter colors showing more dirt and soot, while darker options hide the stains better.
The grate (a metal plate at the bottom of the stove) will wear down with time but can be replaced easily. The grate can also crack if it is not cleaned regularly. The lining of the combustion chamber could be damaged or cracked. Rope seals can be damaged through repeated opening and closing. Over time the glass can turn stained or milky. However, this is not as easy to replace like a home window.
It is important to only burn wood that has been properly seasoned in your stove, as unseasoned logs create more smoke and creosote compared to seasoned ones. It is also essential to properly fuel your stove by changing the amount of wood that you add and ensuring that it doesn't overheat. This will ensure proper combustion and help minimise pollution levels.