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5 Laws Anybody Working In Wood Burner Fireplace Should Know

How to Get the Most From a Wood Burner Fireplace

Wood stoves, unlike traditional open fireplaces, are engineered to burn wood. This allows them meet stricter emission standards.

Wood burning stoves are renowned for their dancing yellow flames, cosy crackling sounds and that primal feeling of warmth. However the smoke they release contains carbon monoxide and toxic air pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Efficient

Fireplaces and stoves that burn wood provide a beautiful and natural heat to the home, but they are also incredibly efficient. A good quality wood burner can attain an Ecodesign rating of up to 77 percent. It is crucial to get the most out of your log stove, especially with increasing energy costs. The good thing is that it’s much easier than ever to do!

A key factor in the effectiveness of a wood-burning stove can be in the moisture content of the firewood. This is why we suggest only using wood that is seasoned, that has been dried for a minimum of one year, and more often two years. The more dry the wood is more dry, the better it burns. This results in lesser smoke and fewer harmful emissions.

A wood burning stove also offers the advantage of being an environmentally friendly fuel source, which is beneficial to the environment. If you buy locally-sourced wood, you also help to support the active management and conservation of woodlands. This is great for wildlife.

The only thing that a wood burning stove requires in terms of maintenance is to regularly remove and eliminate the ash. It can be somewhat of a hassle, but it is worth it to get the maximum heat out of every log. Furthermore when you wait for a couple of days for the ashes to fully cool they can be used to make an eco-friendly and non-toxic ice melt. They can also be used to polish jewellery and remove smells.

A fireplace that burns wood is an old-fashioned classic. Although they’re not as popular than gas fireplaces but there’s no denying the appeal and enthralling sound of a roaring log fire. These fires are perfect for snuggling up with on cold nights, and they make a warm and inviting space within your home. Invest in a quality wood burner and you’ll be benefiting for many years to come! Contact us today to find out more about how our skilled chimney sweeps can help you get the best out of your stove.

Low Carbon

Wood burners that are efficient and clean are the most effective way to save money while keeping your house warm. Additionally, they also help to support local woodland management, which is a great way of supporting the wildlife that lives in your local environment.

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves create minimal pollution when they are properly maintained and used with dry, seasoned firewood. However, if they’re not maintained properly or are used with poor quality wood the smoke that is produced by them contains fine particles (known as particulate pollution) that can irritate the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, toxic air pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are also in the. Inhaling air pollution can cause lung irritation and trigger asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing and lung irritation. It could also cause heart disease, cancer or premature death.

Some people fear that using a wood-burning stove can cause climate change, but this is not necessarily true. The combustion of wood produces energy that is carbon-neutral. Throughout the lifetime of a tree it absorbs carbon dioxide and when it is burnt, the carbon absorbed is released back into the atmosphere.

As the wood is sourced locally, this reduces the amount of pollution emitted during transportation. It is also important to select top quality, seasoned hardwoods as these will provide an extended and even burn than softwoods.

Modern, EPA certified wood stoves and heaters (such as those manufactured by Charlton & Jenrick) have significantly lower emissions than older stoves. They have been certified to meet 2020 EPA standards that are significantly stricter than previous emission limits.

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

A wood-burning stove that has an integrated unit or catalytic converter could be the ultimate low carbon heating solution. These units re-ignite the gasses and particulates from the initial combustion at a later stage by mixing them with superheated air. The remaining gasses and particulates are transported through a catalytic combustion unit to create a final and third combustion. This further reduces emissions to levels well below government standards.

Clean Burn

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

This means that your chimney and the surrounding area will be much cleaner than older stoves. Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, from wood that is not properly burned can cause respiratory problems, such as coughing and wheezing. It can also contribute to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious ailments. Wood burning can also contribute to poor air quality in cities.

The smoke from poorly combusted wood is a mixture of fine particulate pollution as well as hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, and other organs causing discomfort, injury, and even death. Airborne dust can also contaminate surfaces in your home, giving them a gritty feeling.

It’s important to use only top quality, seasoned, and dried firewood for your wood burner fireplace. The most valuable woods for heating are hardwoods like beech, ash, and oak. Hardwoods have a higher density and BTU content. They also offer more heat than softwoods.

Check with your local authorities to see whether they have any regulations concerning wood burning. These could include nuisance/odor regulations and visible emissions, or opacity limits for smoke.

It is crucial to keep the glass of a wood stove that has an open front that is free of dirt and deposits. This can be done with dry cloths or oven cleaner spray. Alternatively, you can add bicarbonate of soda mixed with a small amount of water to the glass.

Regular maintenance is also important for your stove and chimney. Regular chimney cleanings are required to get rid of creosote and ensure that the flue is working correctly. It is also important to mark the dates of your periodic inspections on your calendar. This will help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your wood stove.

Low Maintenance

Many people opt to install wood burning fireplaces because of the warmth and natural beauty they provide. This type of fireplace requires a bit of maintenance and upkeep. If not maintained and cleaned regularly, the chimney, flue and stove could be fire hazards in your home. Fireplaces can also be an excellent source of warmth when power is out, especially during winter, when snow storms could cause branches of trees to fall and knock down under-hanging power lines.

By using a wood stove to heat your home, you’ll be able to reduce your carbon footprint compared to other fossil sources of fuel like gas. Modern wood stoves and inserts are designed to conform to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, which means that they produce very low emissions. The more seasoned the wood is the more efficient it will be as well which means you’ll burn less of it to get the same amount of heat.

The fireplaces need some attention and maintenance. They must be kept clear of materials that ignite and have a screen in place. The flow of air will be improved by keeping the grate clean of ash and other debris. This will help keep the fire burning longer and your home tidy. It is recommended that your stove and chimney swept at least twice per year to avoid creosote accumulation, which can be an extremely dangerous fire hazard as well as a clog that can restrict circulation.

A wood-burning stove will need to be maintained on a regular basis and it may take time for a new homeowner to understand how to light, ignite, and maintain a steady fire in the fireplace. Once you’ve learned the art of burning, your wood burner will be an ideal source of warmth and comfort in your home.

Wood-burning fireplaces have been around in some form or another for over 500 years and they’ve regained popularity because of their energy efficiency as well as their sustainability and 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 learn more about the benefits of a wood stove or an insert for your home.