Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Selecting the best wood stove involves consideration of factors like the heating capacity as well as size, combustion technology materials, aesthetics maintenance, and safety features. A properly-chosen and installed modern wood burner will suit your heating needs, add to the ambience of your home, and also align with your environmental values.
Look for features that aid in maintaining your stove, and keep the glass clear. For instance, choose a wood stove with self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
It is important to choose a wood burner that offers easy maintenance and cleaning. Look for stoves that have removable ash trays or pans that make it easier to wash the ash residue. You should also search for stoves that come with simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Modern wood-burning fireplaces have doors that automatically clean. This makes them a great choice for those looking to reduce the amount they have to maintain and clean.
The length of time you will need to clean your stove will depend on the fuel you use and how it is burned. If you are burning hardwoods, you'll need to clean your stove more frequently because the tar that covers the glass has to be removed more frequently than when burning lighter coals. You can use a special glass cleaner to reduce the amount of tar on the stove's window. Be sure to follow the directions because too much cleaner could damage the glass.
Airwash systems are also available on modern multifuel and wooden stoves. They help to keep the glass windows clean. The system works by circulating air through the glass from above, which prevents the build-up of tar and allows to see the flames in the stove.
The ashpan should be emptied whenever you need to. You should aim to empty the ashpan at least each four to six weeks. If you're unsure how often to empty your ashpan, then ask your installer or the manufacturer.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more energy efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70 percent of the organic material that is burned directly into heat. This is an enormous benefit for those looking to reduce their heating expenses while being more self-sufficient and embracing renewable fuel sources.
Stove manufacturers have listened to consumer demands with advanced technology that dramatically reduces particulate emissions. The majority of modern log-burning fireplaces are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles in full operation. This is a remarkable accomplishment that was unimaginable just a few short years ago.
Wood burning stoves can be a carbon neutral heating option when they are used in conjunction with wood logs that are sourced responsibly. During their growth phase trees take carbon dioxide out and when they're burned to heat they release the same amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is a positive cycle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels like gas, which release 0.198kg of carbon per Kilowatt of electricity or heat that generates a cost of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood-burning stove as your secondary source of heating will also help to ease pressure on the national grid during peak consumption times. Combining a wood-burning stove with a condensing pellet boiler or air-source heatpump can offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective home heating system.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a renewable alternative to heating. So long as the wood used is sourced in a responsible manner and properly managed, it's carbon neutral. When trees are burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Modern wood stoves have been built to last. The materials are of top quality and are resistant to warping and damage resulting from excessive heat. top wood burning stoves come with easy-to-clean combustion systems that aid in reducing the amount of smoke and soot generated by the stove. You can pick a wood stove that has an automatic ignition system so that you don't have to manually light it each time.
Wood is cheaper than other types of heating on a basis of BTU. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, so you can expect consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is the perfect option if you're looking for a stove with the best combination of efficiency and durability, and also visual appeal. The widescreen windows allow for an excellent view of the flames, and there is plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, has been tested to meet Ecodesign standards and has clearSkies level five qualifications.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is another stunning option for wood burning. This slender multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80%. Its generous window gives stunning fire visuals and comes with an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. Suitable for smoke control areas, it's available in both traditional and contemporary colours. The model features a clever, catalytic combustor that is utilized with briquettes, coal, or logs.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in a range of styles to suit every home. They can be built in any style, and come in a range of colors to complement the interior design of your home. Many of them also have decorative trimmings and other details that enhance their visual appeal. You can choose a stove that has an integrated log storage, which will ensure that your fireplace is kept clean and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to an extremely high standard and have an excellent reputation for reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to efficiently burn wood and reduce emissions, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce particulate matter (PM) and dioxins, by up to 50%.
The latest generation of wood burners utilize secondary combustion to ignite the creosote that is produced when burning wooden fuel. This can be done either directly or by passing the wood through a catalytic converter which helps clean the atmosphere in your home. 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. The 5-kW multi-fuel stove has a large porthole-esque window that is kept clean with an airwash system and provides a decent heat output for mid-sized rooms. It is DEFRA certified and Ecodesign compatible. It is a great choice for anyone looking to improve their fireplace or to add a second heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat however, it also releases harmful particles 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 suffering from respiratory diseases. Modern wood stoves are specifically designed to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for instance designed to meet strict European guidelines on particulate matter. They utilize a warmer fireplace to re-ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. They also use fewer logs in order to provide the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The most effective way to cut down on these emissions is to use wood fuel certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for at least two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can produce large amounts of toxic fumes and smoke.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it's essential to keep the fire burning low until the ashes are cool. Other safety measures include closing the door 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.
It's also a good idea to have your stove checked by an engineer at least every year to ensure it is operating properly. This will help reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compound and particulate matter. This will ensure that the temperature of the flue gas is higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius, which is vital to ensure the safety of a wood stove.