Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Selecting the best wood stove is a matter of weighing factors such as the capacity of heating, size of the stove, combustion technology and materials, as well as aesthetics maintenance, and safety features. A modern wood burner that is installed correctly and selected will meet your heating needs and enhance the ambience in your home. It will also be in line with your environmental goals.
Find features that allow you to maintain your stove and keep the glass clean. For example, select an electric stove that has a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and easy cleaning
It is important to choose an electric stove that allows easy maintenance and cleaning. Consider stoves that come with pans or trays for ash that are removable that make it easier to wash the ash residue. You should also search for stoves that have simple access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood-burning fireplaces are equipped with doors that self-clean. This makes them a perfect option for those looking to cut down on the amount they have to clean and maintain.
The frequency at which you should clean your stove will depend on the fuel you use and how well it burns. If you are burning hardwoods, you will need to clean your stove more often because the tar on the glass has to be removed more frequently than if burning softer coals. To lessen the amount of tar that forms on the glass of your stove you might want to try a glass cleaner, but make sure that you follow the directions carefully since too much cleaner may damage the glass.
Many modern multifuel and woodburning stoves also come with an airwash system, which helps to keep the windows clear. The system is a way of blowing air from above on the glass, which helps keep it clean and avoids tar buildup.
To ensure that you are cleaning it regularly, you should check the ashpan each when you use your stove and empty it if needed. The ashpan should be cleaned every 4-6 weeks. Contact your installer or manufacturer if you're unsure how frequently to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more energy efficient than electric or gas fires. They convert 70 percent of the organic material burnt directly into heat. This is an advantage for anyone who wants to reduce their heating costs while being more self-sufficient.
The stove makers have responded to consumer demand by developing advanced technology that reduces particulate emission significantly. A lot of new stoves for burning wood are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particulates in full operation, an amazing achievement that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
Wood burning stoves can also be an alternative to heating that is carbon neutral when used with wood logs that are sourced responsibly. When they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they are burned for heating they release a similar amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a virtuous cycle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas, which produces 0.198kg of CO2 per Kilowatt, and electricity, which produces an expensive amount of 0.517kg for every kilowatt.
A wood-burning stove as your secondary source of heating will also help to ease pressure on the grid during peak evening consumption times. Combining a wood-burning stove with a condensing pellet boiler, or an air-source heatpump, will provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a renewable alternative for heating. Carbon neutrality is possible as long as the wood is responsibly source and managed. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and when they're burned the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, thereby complete the cycle.
Modern wood stoves are built to last. The materials used are of premium quality and are resistant to warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They also feature easy-to-clean combustion mechanisms that can reduce the amount of soot and smoke produced by the stove. You can select the wood stove that comes with an ignition system that is automatic so that you don't need to manually light it every time.
Wood is less expensive than other forms of heating on a basis of BTU. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can anticipate consistent heating costs year in and out.
If you can find out more looking for a stove that offers the best combination of durability, efficiency and aesthetic appeal, look at this model from Mendip. The large-screen window gives you excellent flame views and there's plenty of room for logs beneath the firebox. It's also DEFRA-approved and is compliant with Ecodesign standards and has clearSkies level five credentials.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is a different, impressive choice for wood burning. The stove is multi-fuel and has an efficiency of 80 percent and is DEFRA approved. The large window provides excellent fire visuals and is equipped with an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. It is available in traditional colors and modern versions. The model features an innovative catalytic combustor which can be utilized with briquettes, coal or logs.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in a range of styles that can be suited to any home. They can be built in any style and come in a variety of colours to match the interior design of your home. Many have ornamental details and trims that add a touch of class. You can select a stove that has an integrated log storage which will ensure that your fireplace is kept clean and neat.
Modern log burners are built to a high quality and have a great reputation for their reliability. Modern technology for combustion allows them to burn wood efficiently which reduces emissions and makes them a more sustainable alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) released by up to 50 percent, and some are even capable of reducing the emission of dioxins and furans.
The most modern generation of wood burners utilize secondary combustion to burn 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 air in your home. It is important to keep in mind that certain stoves emit a small amount of PM from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a highly efficient modern wood stove that produces very low PM. The 5-kW multi-fuel stove has large windows that resemble portholes. It is kept clean by an airwash system. It also offers a high heat output for medium-sized rooms. It is DEFRA approved and Ecodesign compatible. This means it is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to upgrade their existing fireplace or add an extra heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is a great source for heat but it also releases harmful particles into the air. These are known as particulate matter and they can have a negative impact on our health and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Modern wood stoves are specifically designed to reduce the amount of emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example designed to meet strict European directives on particulate matter. They employ a larger firebox to reignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they exit the chimney. They also make use of 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 fuels that are certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoned for a minimum of two weeks. Avoid using briquettes or wood that is not seasoned because they can produce large amounts of toxic gasses and smoke.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it is essential to keep the fire burning low until the ashes have removed. Other measures to ensure safety include closing the door when not taking care of the flame, and never touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cooled and always turning off the stove prior to leaving the house or going to bed.
It's recommended to have your stove inspected by an engineer at minimum each year to make sure it is working properly. This will help to minimise particulate matter, organic gaseous compounds and carbon monoxide emissions. It will also ensure the flue gas temperature remains above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degC), which is critical for the safe operation of a wood stove.