14 Misconceptions Commonly Held About Wood Burning Stoves Uk
Wood Burning Stoves
A wood burning stove is a wonderful addition to any home. You can pick from a variety of styles and sizes that will suit your preferences. They can be built into a wall or free-standing.
contemporary wood burning stoves comply with the strict EU legislation, often called Ecodesign. They offer high fuel efficiency and low emission. Some wood stoves are DEFRA exempt and can burn briquettes, or other non-smokeless fuels.
What is a wood burning stove?
A wood stove is a self-standing heating appliance that burns firewood to generate radiant heat for your home. Wood burning stoves have been used for centuries and can be an environmentally friendly alternative to heating your home using oil or gas. Modern stoves have many technological advancements, and you can find various designs to meet your needs. They operate similar to fireplaces, but they produce more heat by using wood to generate radiant heating.
A good quality stove will provide efficient heat and be certified as safe to operate. The EPA label will tell you when the stove is manufactured and what emission standards it meets. It is better to choose an older model that has been tested, and has been proven to be safe.
The majority of modern stoves burn the creosote vapours that are released during the combustion process before they are released into your home. They also generally burn fuel much more efficiently, which helps to prevent smoke or soot issues in the chimney.
You will need to have enough firewood to fuel your wood stove, as well as a storage area to store it. Also, you will require a class A chimney to vent the stove, as well as a suitable distance between the stove and the walls and floors that surround it. You'll require that your chimney inspected regularly and cleaned by a professional to maintain the integrity of the stove and chimney.
Wood smoke is bad for the lungs of everyone however, it is particularly harmful to children and older adults, as well as those with respiratory issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You can protect your family and yourself from the health negative effects of smoke from wood by limiting time spent in the areas in which the stove is running, using the recirculate function on the air conditioner and closing doors.
Size
Wood-burning stoves add warmth and a sense of style to any home. They're also energy efficient and can save you money on your heating bills. But, it is important to select the right size stove. If it's too small, your stove will not be heated enough If it's too large, you'll waste fuel. If you're not sure you're in the right place, seek advice from your installer. They can conduct an assessment of the site and provide you with suggestions on the best size stove for your home.
Stoves are evaluated in terms of their nominal heat output which is represented as a figure of kW. This is a guide to the maximum amount of heat they can generate under test conditions. Don't depend on this figure when selecting a stove, however, as the actual amount of heat produced will vary in accordance with the type and the quality of the fuel you are using. It is also important to be aware of how the insulation of your home is and if it's draughty.
There are a myriad of styles of stoves on the market, with each one offering a unique design and style. Some are more traditional with rustic features, a simple color scheme, and others are more modern, with sleek lines, large windows, and unique shapes.
Ecodesign is the standard that most modern stoves adhere to which ensures high efficiency and low emission. Look for the 'ClearSkies' logo to ensure you're buying an Ecodesign approved stove. They are 80-90 percent more efficient than older stoves and open fires. This is a significant savings on your energy bills as well as is a greener option.
Efficiency
Wood burning stoves, when properly designed and installed effectively, can be highly efficient heaters. The latest models emit very little pollutant and provide heat for a fraction the price of electricity, oil or gas.
One of the most significant factors in a stove's efficiency is its ability to create an efficient flame that can burn logs properly and for the longest time possible. This will prevent the fire from "going out' or releasing excessive smoke. Only using clean, kiln-dried logs from reputable British suppliers will help increase the efficiency of your stove as will ensuring that you don't overload the firebox or over-heat it to the maximum capacity.
Stoves are constructed with great care and designed to perform optimally. The best wood-burning stoves constructed with top-quality components and materials and come with insulated fireboxes that are sealed. The firebox must be maintained at a constant heat so that the logs can be properly burned and to stop the flue from overheating.
The right size stove for your space is also essential to maximize the efficiency of your heating. A stove that is too big for the room will not be as efficient, whilst an appliance that is too small can result in over-firing and create excessive smoke.
Eco-friendly wood burning stoves are becoming more popular. They can reduce household dependence on fossil fuels and provide warmer, more comfortable warmth. Wood is a renewable source of energy and is better for the planet than fossil fuels or coal.
It is essential to only use kiln dried wood that were grown and harvested sustainably. Beware of treated or wet timber or waste wood, oiled wood, or pallet wood since they emit unpleasant odors and could cause damage to the stove and flue. Buying your wood from an accredited supplier with the Defra-approved "Ready to Burn' logo is an assurance that you're buying good quality, dry, smokless and carbon-neutral fuel for your stove.
Design
Wood burners can be found in many different styles and designs. Some are sleek, contemporary, and others have a traditional feel. Some stoves are multi-fuel while others are exclusively for wood. The style of your stove will affect the type of heat it produces and also how well it fits into the overall design of your home.
Generally, when you burn wood in a stove it undergoes two separate processes: combustion and pyrolysis. Combustion occurs when hot wood is burned and releases carbon monoxide and other byproducts that are released into the air. Pyrolysis occurs when wood is heated to higher temperatures, releasing gasses like hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. The gases produced are then burned again in the firebox to produce carbon monoxide and other byproducts.
A lot of wood stoves are equipped with secondary combustion which is a catalytic combustion unit that reburns byproducts of primary combustion. This reduces smoke, and other harmful pollutants, dramatically. It also lets wood stoves function at lower temperatures, meaning less wood is needed and a greater level of efficiency.
Older stoves that do not have secondary combustion are less efficient and more polluting because unburned stoves are left to exit through the flue. They are still popular because of their simplicity of use and the atmosphere they create.
Modern wood burners must to comply with a set of emissions limits, called Ecodesign. These are based upon an efficiency rating that is a minimum and lower maximum levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. They are typically certified by DEFRA and come with space for the storage of logs beneath. Certain models have cleanAir technology that draws air into the unit to clean the glass and prevent blackening or sooting.
Maintenance
To function optimally, wood stoves need regular maintenance. This includes cleaning it regularly and removing the ashes after fires, and making sure that gaskets are in good condition. Gaskets are the seal that ensures the airtightness of combustion and if they are damaged, it could lead to problems like smoke leakage or decreased efficiency. It is also essential to clean the chimney regularly to avoid chimney fires. It is recommended to do this twice a year at the very least, but it may be necessary to do so more frequently based on how frequently the stove is utilized.
Stoves come in many different dimensions and shapes, with some being more suitable for specific areas than others. For example, a curved circular design can make an attractive, modern addition to any space while still providing warmth and creating a focal point. Colour can also influence maintenance. Lighter shades reveal more dirt and soot, while darker shades conceal the stains.
The grate, which is a metal plate in the lower part of the stove that holds the firewood, will wear down over time however it can be easily replaced. If the grate has not been regularly cleaned, it may crack. The lining of the combustion chamber could also break or crack. The repeated opening and closing of the door may degrade seals made of rope. Glass can also get scratched or milky over time, though this is not as simple to replace as a home window.
It is essential to only burn wood that has been properly prepared in your stove. Unseasoned logs will produce more smoke and creosote. It is also essential to properly fuel your stove by altering the amount of wood you add and making sure that it doesn't overheat. This will ensure that the stove is properly fueled and reduce the amount of pollution.