Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When deciding on the right wood stove, be aware of factors such as heating capacity and size, combustion technology aesthetics, maintenance, and safety features. A properly selected and modern wood burner will suit your heating requirements, improve the ambience of your home, and also align with your environmental goals.
Look for features that make it easier to maintain your stove, and keep the glass crystal clear. Select a wood stove with a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and easy cleaning
When choosing a wood burner, it is important to think about the ease of maintenance and cleaning that the stove offers. You should look for stoves that have ash pans or trays, that make it simple to clean up the ash residue. In addition, you should look for stoves with easy-access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Modern wood-burning fireplaces have doors that self-clean. This makes them a great choice for those looking to cut down on the amount of time they need to maintain and clean.
The frequency with which you must clean your stove will depend on the fuel you're using and how well it is burned. For instance, if you burn hardwood, your stove will require more frequent cleaning because the tar that forms on the glass needs more regular removal than if you burn softer coals. You can make use of a glass cleaner to lessen the amount of tar that forms on your stove's window. But be sure to follow the directions since too much cleaner can cause damage to the glass.
Airwash systems are also found on many modern wood and multifuel stoves. They assist in keeping the glass windows clear. This system is a way of blowing air from above over the glass, which helps keep it clean and prevents tar buildup.
To ensure that you are cleaning it regularly you should be checking the ashpan every time you cook and empty it as needed. Clean the ashpan every 4-6 weeks. Contact your installer or manufacturer if you're not certain when 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 benefit for those who want to reduce their heating bills while also being more self-sufficient and embracing renewable sources of fuel.
The stove manufacturers have adapted to the growing consumer demand by developing advanced technology that reduces particulate emission dramatically. A majority of new fireplaces that burn wood are certified to emit fewer than 2.0 grams of fine particles in full operation. This is a stunning accomplishment that would have been impossible just a few years back.
Wood burning stoves can also be an alternative to heating that is carbon neutral when used with wood logs that have been harvested responsibly. During their growth phase trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and when burned for heating, they release an equal amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a positive cycle that is better for the planet than fossil fuels like gas, which produces 0.198kg of CO2 per Kilowatt, and electricity, which generates an expensive amount of 0.517kg for every Kilowatt.
A wood burning stove can also help to reduce the pressure on the national grid during the evening hours of peak demand. The use of a wood burner in conjunction with a condensing boiler, pellet boiler or air-source heat pumps is the perfect combination for an eco-friendly and affordable home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are an environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuel heat. So long as the wood used is sourced responsibly and managed, it's carbon neutral. When trees are burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the air.
Modern wood stoves have been designed to last. The materials are of top quality and resist warping and damage resulting from excessive heat. They come with easy-to-clean combustion systems that minimize the amount of smoke and soot produced by the stove. You can select a wood stove with an automatic ignition system so that you don't need to manually light it every time.
Wood is cheaper than other types of heating on a bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, so you can expect to have consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is the ideal choice if you want a stove with the highest level of efficiency and durability, as well as visual appeal. The widescreen windows allow for an amazing view of the flames, and there is plenty of room below the firebox to store logs. It's DEFRA approved, complies with Ecodesign Standards and has clearSkies level 5 credentials.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is a different, impressive choice for wood burning. This slender multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80 percent. The large window provides stunning fire visuals and has an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. It is available in traditional colors and modern colours. It also comes with a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in a variety of styles that will fit into any home. They can be designed in any style and come in a variety of colours to complement the style of your home. Many of them have decorative details and trims that enhance their appeal. You can also pick a stove that has an integrated log store, which can help to keep your fireplace clean and neat.
All modern log burners are made to the highest standards and have a good reputation for reliability. The latest combustion technology enables them to burn wood efficiently and reduce emissions which makes them an eco friendly alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can cut down on the amount of particulate matter (PM) released by up to 50%, and some are even capable of reducing the emission of dioxins and furans.
The latest generation wood burners burn creosote that is produced from burning wood fuel by using a secondary combustion method. This can be done directly or by using catalyst converter. This helps to clean the air in your home. It is important to note that certain stoves emit a tiny amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, contemporary wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production is a great example. This 5kW multifuel stove has a large porthole window which is maintained clean by an airwashing system. It produces a good amount of heat for medium-sized rooms. It is DEFRA approved and Ecodesign certified. It is an excellent option for anyone looking to upgrade their fireplace or add another heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is a great source of heat, but it can also trigger harmful particles to release into the air. These particles are referred to as particulate matter, and can have a negative impact on our health and increase the chance of respiratory illnesses. Fortunately, british wood burning stoves are designed to reduce the emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example, are engineered to meet strict 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 generate the same heat as other stoves.
The most efficient way to reduce emissions is to use wood fuel that has been certified 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 or briquettes in your stove, since they could cause large amounts of gas and smoke.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it's essential to keep the fire burning to a minimum until the ashes have cooled. Other safety measures include keeping the door closed when not tending the flame, and never touching the flue pipe or stove unless it is completely cool, and always turning off the stove prior to leaving the house or going to bed.
It is also recommended to check your stove with an engineer every year to make sure it's working properly. This will lower emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compounds and particulate matter. It will also ensure the flue gas temperature is maintained at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC), which is critical for safe operation of a wood stove.