How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

In contrast to traditional open fireplaces, wood stoves are designed and optimised to burn firewood. This enables them to comply with the stricter emission requirements.

Wood burning stoves offer warm, yellow flames that dance, crackling sound and that innate sense of warmth. However, the smoke it creates contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide beautiful and natural heat source to the home, and they are extremely efficient. A good quality wood burner can achieve an Ecodesign rating of as high as 77%. It is crucial to get the most benefit of your wood burner particularly with the rising energy costs. The good news is it's easier than ever to do!

The moisture content of wood is one of the main factors that determines how efficient a stove that burns wood is. We recommend using only well-seasoned wood that has been dried for at least one year and often two years. The more dry the wood more dry, the better it burns. This results in less smoke, and less harmful emissions.

A wood-burning stove also offers the advantage of being a low-carbon fuel source, which is great for the environment. In addition, by buying locally-sourced firewood, you are helping to promote the active management of woodlands which is a wonderful thing for wildlife.

As far as maintenance is involved, the sole requirement for a wood burner is to scoop up and dispose of the ash. This can be a bit of a nuisance, but is well worth it to ensure you get most heat from every log. Furthermore that if you wait a couple of days until the ashes completely cool and then reuse them as an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can be used to polish jewelry or absorb smells.

A fireplace with a wood burner is a timeless classic. While they may be less popular than gas fires but there's no denying the beauty and appeal of a roaring fire. They're perfect for cosying up to on cold evenings and are a great way to create an inviting and warm space inside your home. Make sure you invest in a high-quality wood stove and you'll start enjoying the benefits for years to come! Our chimney sweeps are on hand to assist you in getting the most from your stove - give us a call today to learn more.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that are efficient and clean are among the most efficient ways to save money on logs and keep your home warm. Additionally, they also aid in the local woodland management. It's a fantastic way to support the wildlife in your local area.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create very little pollutant if they are maintained properly and operated with dry, seasoned firewood. However, if they're not well maintained or used with poor quality wood the smoke generated by them can contain fine particles (known as particulate pollution) which can cause irritation to the lung and other organs. Carbon monoxide, air pollutants that are toxic like formaldehyde and benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also in the. Inhaling air pollution can cause irritation to the lungs and trigger asthma attacks wheezing, coughing, and irritation of the lungs. It could also cause cancer, heart disease or premature death.

Some people fear that using a wood-burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily true. Burning wood produces energy that is carbon neutral. The tree absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifespan. When burned the carbon dioxide is released into the air.

Because the wood is harvested locally, it reduces the amount of pollution emitted in the process of transportation. It is important to use hardwoods that have been seasoned and of top quality. They burn longer and more evenly than softwoods.

Modern wood stoves, such as the ones manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick, emit less carbon dioxide than older stoves. They are certified to meet 2020 EPA standards that are significantly more strict than earlier emission limits.

To prevent a build-up of exhaust within your home, all wood-burning stoves should be vented to the outside. All of our current DEFRA-exempt, clean burn stoves can create clear exhaust when keeping the flames at a distance from the wood logs and by using dry well-seasoned, clean firewood.

A wood-burning stove that has an acatalytic converter or hybrid unit can offer the ultimate low-carbon solution for heating. These units re-ignite gasses and particles that were ignited during the initial combustion in a subsequent phase by mixing them with superheated air. They then channel the remaining gases and particulates through a catalytic combustion combustor for the third and final combustion, further the reduction of emissions to levels that is well below the government standards.

Clean Burn

Cleanburn wood stoves burn fuel with the highest efficiency. This results in minimal dust emissions into the atmosphere when burning wood. The stove's air management system controls the intake and exhausting of gases, ensuring that the combustion process takes place in a closed, controlled environment. It also regulates flame height to maximise heat output and minimize emissions.

This means your chimney and its surroundings will be cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) from incompletely combusted wood can cause respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing in people and can contribute to the development of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health issues. Air pollution from wood burning is also an important factor in poor urban air quality.

Smoke from poorly combusted timber is a source of fine particulate pollutants as well as harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, as well as other dangerous air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as benzene and formaldehyde. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and other organs and cause discomfort, damage and even death. Dust particles from the air can also damage the surfaces in your home and give the impression of a rough surface to rooms.

It is essential to use only high-quality, seasoned and dried firewood for your fireplace with a wood burner. The most effective woods for heating are hardwoods like beech, oak and ash. Hardwoods are dense and BTU content. They also provide more heat than softwoods.

Check with your local authority to find out whether they have any regulations about wood burning. They could include rules for nuisance or odor and visible emissions or smoke opacity limits.

If you have a wood burner with a glass door, it's important to keep the glass free of dirt and deposits. You can use a dry towel or oven cleaner spray for this. You can also add bicarbonate of soda mixed with a bit of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance of your chimney and stove is also essential. This includes regular chimney cleanings that remove creosote and ensure the proper functioning of your flue. You should also mark the dates of your periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you to prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your wood burner.

Low Maintenance

Many people prefer installing wood-burning fireplaces due to the warmth and natural beauty they provide. This kind of fireplace needs some maintenance and upkeep. The chimney, flue and stove are all potential sources of house fires, if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. They also provide warmth in the event of power outage, especially during winter storms, when branches of trees may fall and power lines may be ripped down.

Utilizing a wood burner to heat your home will reduce your carbon footprint substantially when compared to other fossil fuel sources, such as gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts have been designed to comply with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means they produce very low emissions. The more seasoned the wood is, the more efficient it will be as well, so you'll burn less to generate the same amount of heat.

Fireplaces require some maintenance and care. They should be placed away from materials that ignite and have a screen. Air flow will be improved by keeping the grate free of ash and other debris. This will help keep the fire burning longer and your home in good order. You should have your stove and chimney cleaned at least twice per year to avoid creosote accumulation, which can be a fire hazard and a blockage that can hinder ventilation.

It could take a while for homeowners who are new to the area to learn to ignite, light and maintain a continuous fire in the fireplace. But, once you've mastered the art of building and maintaining the fire in your wood burner, it will be a source of constant pleasure that will provide heat and warmth for your home year after year.

Wood-burning fireplaces have been around in one form or another for over 500 years and have rediscovered their popularity because of their effectiveness, sustainability, and the natural warmth and smell of real wood. If you're thinking about buying installing a new heater, speak with your local certified Regency dealer to find out more about the benefits of a wood stove or insert for your home.