Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
When deciding on the right wood stove, consider factors such as heating capacity and size as well as the technology of combustion aesthetics, maintenance and safety features. A properly-chosen and installed modern wood stove will meet your heating needs, add to the ambiance of your home, and be in line with your environmental standards.
Look for features that will help you maintain your stove and keep the glass clean. Choose a stove made of wood with a self-cleaning window.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
It is crucial to select the right wood burner that provides easy maintenance and cleaning. Find stoves with removable ash trays or pans which make it easier to clean the ash residue. In addition, you should look for stoves that have easy-access mechanisms for cleaning the flue and chimney. Modern wood burning fireplaces come with doors that self-clean. This makes them a great option for those looking to cut down on the amount they have to clean and maintain.
The length of time it takes to clean your stove will depend on the fuel that you use and how it is burned. If you are burning wood, you will need to clean your stove more frequently because the tar on the glass has to be removed more frequently than if burning lighter coals. To lessen the amount of tar that accumulates on the glass of your stove you might want to try a glass cleaner, but make sure that you go through the instructions carefully, because too much cleaner can harm the glass.
A lot of modern woodburning and multifuel stoves also have an airwash system, which assists in keeping the windows clear. The system is a way of blowing air from the top over the glass, which helps keep it clean and also prevents the buildup of tar.
For more frequent cleaning it is recommended to check the ashpan every time you cook and empty it as needed. Empty the ashpan every 4-6 week. If you're unsure when to empty your ashpan, then ask your installer or the manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
When compared with gas and electric fires the modern wood burning stoves are extremely energy efficient and convert 70% of the burning organic material directly into heat. This is a huge advantage for those looking to reduce their heating costs whilst being more self-sufficient and embracing renewable fuel sources.
Stove manufacturers have responded to consumer demand 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 remarkable achievement that would have been unthinkable just a few short years back.
Wood burning stoves can be an alternative to heating that is carbon neutral when they are used in conjunction with wood logs that have been harvested responsibly. In their growth phase, trees eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn for heating they release an equal amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a circle that is more sustainable for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas which create 0.198kg of carbon for each Kilowatt of electricity and heat which produces a costly 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood burning stove can aid in reducing the pressure on the national grid during the evening hours of peak demand. The utilization of a wood burner in conjunction with a condensing boiler pellet boiler or air-source heat pump provides the perfect combination for a green and affordable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative for heating. Carbon neutrality is achievable as long as the wood is responsibly sourced and properly managed. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and when they're burnt, the carbon is released back into the air, completing the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are designed to last for a long time. The materials are of high quality and are resistant to warping and damage resulting from excessive heat. They also have easy-to-clean combustion systems that aid in reducing the amount of soot and smoke generated by the stove. Wood burner clearance sale can even opt for wood burners that have an auto-ignition mechanism that means you don't need to manually light the fire every time you use it.
Wood is cheaper than other forms of heating on a bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, so heating costs will be consistent year after year.
If you're looking for a stove which has the best mix of durability, efficiency and aesthetic appeal, look at this model from Mendip. The large-screen window gives a great view of the flames, and there is plenty of room below the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, complies with Ecodesign Standards and has level 5 clearSkies credentials.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse offers another attractive option for wood burning. The stove is multi-fuel and has a seasonal efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA approved. The large window gives you a great view of the fire and comes with an air-wash system that keeps it clean. It is available in both traditional colors and modern versions. The model features a clever, catalytic combustor which can be utilized with briquettes, coal or logs.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in various styles that can be suited to any space. They can be designed in any style and come in a range of colors to complement the style of your home. A lot of them feature decorative trims and details that add a touch of class. You can pick a stove that has an integrated log storage which will help keep your fireplace clean and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to a high standard and have a great reputation for reliability. Modern combustion technology permits them to burn wood efficiently while reducing emissions, making them a more sustainable alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves are capable of reducing particulate matter (PM), and even dioxins, by up to 50 percent.
The most recent generation of wood burners utilize a second combustion process to burn the creosote which is created by burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by using a catalyst converter. This helps to clean your home's atmosphere. It is important to note that some stoves emit a small amount PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, a modern wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production is a great example. This 5kW multifuel stove has a large window for portholes that is kept clean with an airwashing system. It generates a substantial amount of heat for medium-sized rooms. It is DEFRA certified and Ecodesign compatible. It is a great choice for anyone who wants to upgrade their fireplace or to add a second heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat, however it can also cause harmful particles to release into the air. These particles are called particulate matter and can have a negative effect on our health and increase the chance of respiratory illnesses. Modern wood stoves are specially designed to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example, are engineered to meet the strict European guidelines regarding particulate matter. They utilize a more hot firebox to re-ignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they escape the chimney. They also employ fewer logs to produce the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The best way to reduce the emissions from your home is to use wood fuel that is certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for at least two weeks. You should also be wary of using unseasoned wood and briquettes in your stove, since they could cause high levels of gas and smoke.
To avoid the accumulation of ash, it's essential to keep the fire burning to a minimum until the ashes are removed. Other safety measures include closing the door when you are not tending to the fire, never touching the flue pipe or stove unless it is completely cool and always extinguishing the stove before leaving home or going to sleep.
You should also get your stove checked by an engineer every year to make sure it's working correctly. This will help to minimise particulate matter organic gaseous compound and carbon monoxide emissions. It will also ensure that the flue gas temperature stays above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC) which is essential to ensure the safety of a wood stove.