The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning The wood stove is a great method to heat your home and keep it warm. However, there are some important things to keep in mind before you start a fire. All wood stoves require constant air flow to create heat and ignite. This is controlled by adjustable dampers located in the stove door and in the flue pipe leading out to the chimney. Warmth Unlike central heating which is delivered through ductwork and distributed throughout the house, stoves use convection to warm your home. They also generate radiant heat. However it is usually warmer than convection heating since the heat is absorbed by a solid surface instead of dispersing into the air. A wood stove generates radiant heat through the burning of wood. It will quickly warm up an area. The kind of wood you use and the way it is seasoned will impact how well your stove will perform. Hard woods like hazel, birch, oak and hazelnut take longer to burn, yet they produce a long-lasting, even heat. These kinds of woods are ideal to heat your home as they have an extremely high energy density. Soft woods like spruce and fir have a lower energy density. This means they are more efficient in burning and produce more emissions. Many modern wood-burning stoves are fitted with turn dampers inside the interior part of the flue pipe which runs to the chimney. The dampers can be turned to regulate the amount of heat that is retained within your home by regulating the speed at which combustion gases leave your stove. It is important to note that a wood stove requires more maintenance than other heating options. You will have to cut and split the firewood before you can burn it. You'll have to replenish the stove with fuel whenever it runs out and you will also have to remove the ash periodically. You will also have to make sure that the stove is able to draw enough air to ignite. You may also have to take care of the smoke from your stove, based on the zoning regulations in your area and how you maintain it. Many towns have regulations for zoning to regulate outdoor burning and reduce visible smoke and odors, as well as soot. In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has regulations to regulate the use of outdoor burning equipment, and limit opacity and nuisance conditions. Aesthetics A wood stove can give an original look to your home. The warm glow of the flames that are licking dried logs gives a feeling warmth and comfort. They're a great addition to any room in the house and look stunning with rustic and vintage style decor. They also make a great backup option for power outages as they provide radiant warmth. They also provide a great way to reduce carbon emissions and save money. By using modern wood burners, you can reduce your heating expenses and save fuel oil by burning locally-sourced and seasoned firewood. The use of wood for burning assists in promoting active management of forests which is beneficial to wildlife as well as the local communities. When you are choosing a wood burning stove, take into consideration its energy efficiency. A modern wood stove should be capable of achieving more than 80% efficiency, which means it burns better and produces less smoke. Choose a wood stove that has secondary glass, heat-retaining and advanced combustion systems such as catalytic or non-catalytic. It is also essential to maintain proper clearances between the stove and combustible items such as curtains or furniture. Check the manufacturer's combustion technology to ensure it is safe and efficient. Some stoves are designed to be installed to existing fireplaces, while others are freestanding and may be moved if necessary. No matter which kind of stove you pick, it is important to make sure it has the proper safety features, such as the shut-off valve and venting system to prevent combustible gases from entering the home. The Scan 83-2 wood burner by Danish brand Scan blends seamlessly into any decor. Its minimalist design, elegantly rounded silhouette, and absence of unnecessary details give it a simple but sophisticated appeal. The contemporary wood stove comes with aluminum handles and moldings and a door that can be closed easily and a curved front panel for a clear view of the flames. It is available in black or gray, and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. It is available in a variety of sizes to fit into various spaces and rooms, such as 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. Wood heating requires a lot of attention to ensure proper combustion. Many newer wood stoves have automatic control systems that monitor the flame and adjust the amount of air required to prevent a poor combustion that emits smoke. The operator (that is you) has a major impact on the performance of the stove. In particular you can slow down the process of combustion by closing too much of the air vents. This will not only lower the efficiency of the stove, but also increase the release of volatile compounds. When you start a fire, it is important to keep the air vents open as wide as they can to allow enough oxygen to the fire. This will help keep tar from accumulating and other residue that can develop on the heat exchange surfaces. To keep the grate clean and the firebox free of ash, it is recommended to use a stove ash broom or shovel to get rid of the ashes. It is also essential to add the wood slowly, and to not close the air vents in a hurry, as it could create a vortex that will draw the smoke and unburned volatile compounds back into the firebox and then into the room. This can reduce the efficiency of combustion and result in the fire burning less wood, which reduces the heat output of the stove. Utilizing a blow pipe to blow air into the flame is a different method to improve combustion and help it spread evenly. However it is crucial to keep in mind that blow pipes could be dangerous if they are not properly used. wood burner stoves can cause difficult-to-control fires when used too close to flames. This type of equipment should be left to professionals and those who are experienced. Economical The burning and purchase of wood is a green alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable fuel and therefore is considered carbon neutral. Many wood stoves have a back boiler that allows the waste gases to be used to provide heat to your home and decrease the cost of energy. Stoves are now more efficient in heating your home, with modern stoves offering high levels of efficiency in combustion and lower emissions. They are also smaller and compact than fireplaces, meaning they can project more heat into the space and less heat is lost through the chimney. Many manufacturers combine advanced design with clever engineering to create eco-friendly stoves. This can be accomplished by adding features such as firebox insulation, large baffles to provide a longer, warmer gas flow, pre-heated air for combustion and secondary combustion. This permits the combustion to take place at higher temperatures, and helps reduce harmful pollution. A top-quality wood stove will be SIA Ecodesign-compliant and has passed rigorous tests to ensure that they generate very low levels of pollution. This is vital because the EPA has set very strict limits on the amount of pollution the new wood burners can emit and the SIA Ecodesign program is the mark of stoves that have met these standards. If you have a big enough garden and can collect local, sustainable, and untreated logs then the use of a wood stove is an excellent method to reduce your carbon footprint and saving money on heating. Locally-sourced wood helps local woodlands and encourages active land management. This has a positive effect on wildlife. You can also construct your own wood-burning stove. This will help you save money. This is due to the availability of reclaimed and offcut timber, and a range of DIY kits are available to assist you in building your own. You can pick between catalytic and non-catalytic wood stoves, with the former being more affordable and easier to operate, while the latter is more expensive but is more effective at decreasing emissions.
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