Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Selecting the best wood stove involves consideration of aspects like heating capacity, size and design, combustion technology materials, aesthetics, maintenance and safety features. A well-selected and properly installed modern wood stove will meet your heating needs, add to the ambiance of your home, and also align with your environmental values.
Find features that make it simple to maintain your stove and keep the glass in good condition. For instance, you can choose an electric stove that has an auto-cleaning glass.
Cleaning and maintenance is easy
It is essential to select an electric stove that allows easy maintenance and cleaning. Find stoves with pans or trays for ash that are removable which make it easier to clean the ash residue. In addition, you should look for stoves that have easy-access mechanisms to clean the flue and chimney. Modern wood burning stoves are even equipped with self-cleaning glass doors, making them a great choice for those who want to reduce the amount of maintenance and cleaning required.
The length of time it takes to clean your stove is contingent on the fuel that you choose to use and the method by which it is burned. For instance when you use hardwood the stove will require more frequent cleaning as the tar that builds up on the glass requires more regular removal than when you use lighter coals. To reduce the amount of tar that builds up on your stove's glass, you can try using a special glass cleaner. However, ensure that you read the instructions carefully because too much cleaner can damage the glass.
Airwash systems are also available on a variety of modern multifuel and wood stoves. They assist in keeping the glass windows clean. The system works by circulating air through the glass from above, which prevents the accumulation of tar and allows to see the flames in the stove.
For more regular cleaning you should be checking the ashpan each when you cook and empty it if needed. It is recommended to empty the ashpan at least every four to six weeks. Ask your installer or manufacturer if you're not sure how frequently to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more energy efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70 percent of the organic material burnt directly into heat. This is a great advantage for anyone who wishes to cut down on heating costs while remaining self-sufficient.
Manufacturers of stoves have responded to demand of consumers by developing cutting-edge technology that reduces the emission of particulates significantly. A lot of new stoves for burning wood are certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles when in operation, an amazing achievement that would have been unthinkable in the past.
Wood burning stoves can be a carbon neutral heating option when used with wood logs that are sourced responsibly. In their growth phase, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they burn for heating they release the same amount of CO2 back into the atmosphere. This is a virtuous circle that is more sustainable for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas which create 0.198kg of carbon for each kilowatt of heat and electricity that generates a cost of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood burning stove can also aid in reducing strain on the national grid at peak evening hours. The use of a wood burner together with a condensing boiler, pellet boiler, or air-source heat pump provides the ideal combination for a green and affordable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves provide an alternative that is sustainable to fossil fuel heat. If the wood used is sourced responsibly and properly managed and managed properly, it's carbon-neutral. When trees are burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the air.
Modern wood stoves are built to last for a long time. The materials are of high quality and resist warping and damage resulting from excessive heat. They have easy-to-clean burning systems that minimize the amount of soot and smoke generated by the stove. You can also choose a wood burner with an auto-ignition system that means you don't have to manually light the fire every time you use it.
Wood is cheaper than other types of heating on a basis of BTU. wood burning fires is also less volatile than fossil fuels, so heating costs will remain consistent year after year.
This Mendip model is the perfect choice if you want an appliance that has the perfect blend of durability and efficiency, as well as visual appeal. The large-screen window gives an excellent view of the flames, and there is plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's DEFRA approved, meets Ecodesign Standards and has level 5 clearSkies qualifications.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse is a great alternative for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80 percent. The large window provides stunning fire visuals and has an air wash system to keep the glass in good condition. Suitable for smoke control areas and is available in traditional and contemporary colors. It also comes with a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with logs, briquettes or coal.
Style
Modern wood burning stoves are available in different styles that are suitable for any space. They can be constructed in any style and come in a variety of colours to complement the interior design of your home. Many have ornamental details and trims that enhance their appeal. You can select a stove that has an integrated log storage, which will ensure that your fireplace is kept clean and tidy.
All modern log burners are built to a high standard and have an excellent reputation for reliability. The latest combustion technology enables them to efficiently burn wood and reduce emissions, making them an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. Modern stoves are able to reduce particulate matter (PM) and dioxins by up to 50%.
The most recent generation of wood burners burn creosote produced by burning wood fuel using a secondary combustion method. This can be done directly or by the passage of wood through a catalyst converter. This helps to clean the air in your home. However, it is important to know that some stove brands still emit some PM emitted from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a very efficient modern wood stove that produces very low PM. The 5-kW multi-fuel stove has an enormous porthole-like window that is kept clean by an airwash system. It has a good heat output for mid-sized rooms. It is also DEFRA certified and Ecodesign certified. This means it's an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their existing fireplace or add an extra heating source.
Safety
A wood stove can be an excellent source of heat, but it also releases harmful particles into the air. These are referred to as particulate matter, and they can impact our health and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Thankfully modern wood stoves are designed to reduce these emissions. Ecodesign stoves are engineered to meet European directives regarding particulate matter. They utilize a more hot firebox to reignite the combustion particles and reduce emissions before they leave the chimney. This means that they require fewer logs to produce the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The best way to reduce these emissions is to use wood fuel certified by the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme and only burn dry wood that has been seasoning for at least two weeks. You should also avoid using unseasoned wood or briquettes for your stove, because they can create excessive levels of smoke and toxic gases.
To prevent a build-up of ash, it is essential to keep the flame burning low until the ashes are removed. Other safety measures include closing the door when not tending to the flame, avoiding touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cool and always putting out the stove prior to leaving the house or going to sleep.
You should also get your stove checked by an engineer each year to ensure that it's operating properly. This will help reduce particulate matter organic gaseous compound and carbon monoxide emissions. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is above 250 degrees Fahrenheit 121 degrees Celsius, which is vital to ensure the safety of a stove made of wood.