Wood stove burning is an ideal source of heat for those looking to keep their home warm and cozy. There are a few things you need to think about before you begin a wood fire.
All wood stoves require a constant air flow to produce heat and combustion. This is controlled by adjustable dampers located in the stove door and in the flue pipe that leads out to the chimney.
Warmth
Stoves are able to heat your home by convection, not central heating that is pumped through ductwork to be distributed throughout the home. They can also produce radiant heat. However it is usually warmer than convection heating since the warmth is absorbed into a solid surface instead of dispersing into the air. A wood stove is a firewood burner to produce radiant warmth that can add a lot of warmth to a space within a short amount of time.
The type of wood and how it is seasoned may impact the efficiency of your stove. Hard woods such as hazel, birch, oak and hazelnut take longer to burn, yet they produce long-lasting, consistent heat. These kinds of woods are ideal for heating your home because they have a high energy density. Soft woods like spruce or fir are less dense in energy density. This means they are more efficient in burning and produce more carbon dioxide.
Many modern wood-burning stoves are fitted with turn dampers inside the inside part of the flue pipe which connects to the chimney. The dampers can be turned to control the amount of heat retained in your home by controlling the speed of the combustion gases leaving your stove.
It is important to know that a wood-burning stove requires more maintenance than other heating methods. You will have to cut, split and stack the wood before you can burn it. You will need to replenish the stove if it runs out of fuel, and you'll also need to regularly clean the ash. You will also have to ensure that the stove can draw enough air to ignite.
Depending on the zoning regulations in your area, and how you maintain your stove, you might also have to tackle smoke pollution. Many towns use zoning to regulate outdoor burning, and limit visible smoke from the stove, as also odor and soot. In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has regulations that regulate the use of outdoor fire-pits as well as restrict opacity and nuisance.
Aesthetics
A wood stove provides an elegant look to your home. The warm glow of orange flames that lick dry logs gives a feeling warmth and comfort. They look great in any room and make a great option for rustic or vintage decor. They are a great choice for power outages since they provide radiant heating.
These are also an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions and save money. The use of locally-sourced and well-seasoned firewood in a modern wood stove can save you money on heating oil. Furthermore, using wood for burning can help promote the active management of forests which benefits wildlife and local communities.
When choosing a wood burning stove, take into consideration its energy efficiency. Modern wood stoves are expected to attain over 80% efficiency. This means that they are more efficient in burning and produce less smoke. Look for a design with secondary, heat-retaining glass and advanced combustion systems such as catalytic or non-catalytic. It is important to keep a safe distance between your stove and any combustible materials like curtains or furniture.
Examine the combustion technology of the manufacturer to ensure it's safe and efficient. Certain stoves are designed to be fitted into existing fireplaces while others are freestanding and can be moved if necessary. Whatever type of stove you pick, it is important to ensure it has the right safety features, including the shut-off valve and venting system that stops gasses that ignite from entering the home.
The Scan 83-2 from Danish brand Scan is a sleek and contemporary wood burner that blends into any decor. Its minimalist aesthetic, elegantly rounded silhouette, and a lack of unnecessary features create a minimalist yet sophisticated appeal. This modern wood burning stove comes with an aluminum handle as well as moldings, soft-close doors and a curved wall to provide a clear view of the flames. It is available in gray or black and can be used indoors or out. It comes in different sizes to fit in different spaces and rooms, including large living rooms and modern patios.
Cosy atmosphere
Wood stove burning has a cozy atmosphere that can be much warmer than forced air heating. Besides the warmth from the fire itself, there is also radiant heat from the metal body of the stove that warms the room. In addition, the smell of burned wood is pleasing to most people. This atmosphere is a major reason why many prefer to use a wood stove instead of central heating.
To ensure the proper combustion, wood heat requires a large amount of attention. The majority of newer wood stoves feature automatic control systems that can monitor the flame and adjust the amount of air required to ensure that the flame is not unable to burn completely and produces smoke. The person who operates the stove (that is you) has a major influence on the performance of the stove. In particular you can slow down the process of combustion by closing too many of the air vents. This will not only decrease the efficiency of the stove but can also increase the emissions of volatile compounds.
When starting a fire, it is important to keep the vents for air open as wide as is possible to allow enough oxygen to the fire. This will help prevent the formation of the tar or other residues that can form on the heat exchange surfaces. It is also recommended to use a stove ash shovel or Broom to clean the ashes after each fire to keep the firebox and grate clean.
Add the wood slowly, and be careful about closing the vents too quickly. This could create an air-tight ring that pulls the unburned smoke and volatile compounds into the firebox. This can reduce the efficiency of combustion, causing the fire to burn less fuel and decrease the amount of heat produced.
A blow pipe is a device to boost combustion by blowing air into the flame. It is crucial to remember that blow pipes are risky if not used in a safe manner. When wood burner clearance sale are used too close to flames, they can ignite fires that are difficult to control. It is best to leave this type of equipment to professionals or those who know what they are doing.
Savings
The burning and buying of wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource and therefore carbon-neutral. Wood stoves are typically constructed with a back boiler that means that the gasses can be circulated to heat the water in your home, thereby reducing energy bills.
Modern stoves are more efficient in heating your home. They have a high combustion efficiency, and emit fewer emissions. They are smaller and less bulky than fireplaces, meaning they are able to project more heat into the room, and less heat is lost to the chimney.
Many manufacturers use a combination of advanced design and clever engineering to create more eco-friendly stoves. This is achieved by adding features like the firebox insulation, a massive baffle to create a wider and more hot gas flow path and pre-heated combustion air and secondary combustion. This allows the combustion to occur at higher temperatures, and reduces harmful pollution.
A high-quality wood stove is SIA ecodesign compliant and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they generate very low levels pollution. This is important because the EPA established high limits on the amount of pollution a new wood stove can produce and the SIA Ecodesign system is a mark of a stove that has met the requirements.
If you have a big enough garden and can collect sustainable, local and untreated logs, using a wood stove is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save money on heating. The purchase of locally-sourced wood will help local woodlands and encourage the active management of the land which has a positive effect on wildlife as well.
You can also build your own wood burning stove. This will help you save money. This is possible due to the availability of offcuts and reclaimed timber, and a range of DIY kits can help you do it yourself. You can select between catalytic or non-catalytic wood burning stoves. The former is less expensive and more user-friendly, while the latter is more expensive, but is more efficient in decreasing emissions.
