How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace
Wood stoves, in contrast to traditional open fireplaces, are designed to use wood for combustion. This allows them meet stricter emission standards.
Wood burning stoves are renowned for their dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sounds and that primal sense of warmth. The smoke that is produced is filled with harmful air pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Efficient
Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood offer a stunning and natural heat to your home, they are also extremely efficient. A good quality wood burner can achieve an Ecodesign rating of up to 77%. With rising energy costs it is important to make sure you are getting the maximum value from your log stove The good news is that this is more simple than ever!
The amount of moisture in wood is one of the main factors that determines the efficiency of a wood-burning stove is. This is why we suggest only using seasoned wood that has been dried for a minimum of one year, and often two years. The more dry the wood is, the better it burns. This means less smoke and less harmful emissions.
Another benefit of a wood-burning stove is that it's a low carbon source of fuel, which is fantastic for the environment. When you purchase locally-sourced wood, you also help to support the active conservation and management of woodlands. This is great for wildlife.
The only thing that a wood burning stove needs in terms of maintenance is that you regularly remove and get rid of ash. This can be a little bit of a hassle but is well worth it in order to ensure you get the most heat from each log. If you wait for the ashes 2-3 days to completely cool, they can also be used as a non-toxic, green ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and absorb odors.
A wood burner fireplace is a timeless classic. Although they're less well-known than gas fireplaces, the allure and ambiance of a roaring fire cannot be disregarded. They are ideal to cuddle to on cold winter nights, and they create a warm and welcoming space within your home. Making the investment in a top-quality wood stove will pay off for a long time. Call us today to learn more about how our expert chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.
Low Carbon
Wood burners that burn clean and efficiently are among the best ways to save money on logs and keep your home warm. As an added benefit they also help to support local woodland management, which is a fantastic way to support the wildlife that lives in your area.
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned firewood. However, when they are not maintained well or using wood of poor quality the smoke generated by them can contain fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can cause irritation to the lung and other organs. Carbon monoxide, air pollutants that are toxic such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also in the. Inhaling this kind of air pollution could cause irritation of the lungs, coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks and may even cause serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, or premature death.
Many people are concerned that using a wood burning stove could contribute to climate change however this isn't necessarily the case. Burning wood is a carbon-neutral energy source. Throughout the lifetime of a tree it absorbs carbon dioxide and when it is burnt, the absorbed carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
Since the wood is sourced locally, this reduces the amount of pollution that is released in the process of transportation. It is important to use hardwoods that have been seasoned and of top quality. They will burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.
Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those manufactured by Charlton &