Why We Our Love For Wood Stove Burning (And You Should Also!)

The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning

Wood stoves are an ideal heat source for those who want to keep their home warm and cosy. However, there are certain things to bear in mind before you begin the fire.

All wood stoves need constant air flow to generate heat and fuel. This is controlled by adjustable dampers in the door of the woodburner stove and in the flue pipe leading to the chimney.

Warmth

Stoves heat your home using convection, in contrast to central heating which is pumped into ductwork to be distributed throughout the house. They also generate radiant heat. However it is usually colder than convection heating because the warmth is absorbed by the surface instead of dispersing into the air. A wood stove burns wood to create warm, radiant heat which can bring a lot of warmth to a room in a relatively short amount of time.

The type of wood and how it is seasoned may impact the performance of your stove. Hard woods like hazel, birch, oak and hazelnut are more difficult to burn, but produce a long-lasting, even heat. They are an excellent choice for heating a home as they have high energy density. Soft woods like spruce or fir have lower energy density which means they burn more quickly and produce higher levels of emissions.

A majority of modern wood-burning stoves come with turn dampers in the inside of the pipe that connects to the chimney. The dampers are rotatable and can be adjusted to slow down or speed up the exit of combustion gasses from the stove, thereby controlling how much heat is retained within your home.

It is important to know that a wood stove requires more maintenance than other heating options. Before you can start burning the wood, you will need to cut it up and split it before stacking it. You'll need to replenish your stove when it runs out of fuel, and you'll also have to clean the ash regularly. You will also have to make sure that the stove can draw enough air to ignite.

You might also need to face the smoke from your stove, depending on the zoning laws in your area and how you maintain it. Many towns use zoning laws to regulate outdoor burning, and limit visible smoke from the stove, as well as odor and soot. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is another organization that has regulations that control the use of outdoor fires and restrict opacity.

Aesthetics

A wood stove can give a unique aesthetic to your home. The warm glow of orange flames that are licking dried logs gives a feeling warmth and cosiness. They look great in any room and are a wonderful addition to vintage or rustic decor. They are also a great alternative to power interruptions as they offer radiant heat.

They are also a great way to reduce carbon emissions and save money. With modern wood burners, you can lower your heating costs and save on fuel oil by burning locally sourced, seasoned firewood. The use of wood for burning aids in the active forest management which benefit wildlife and the local community.

When selecting a wood stove, be sure to consider its energy efficiency. A modern wood stove is expected to achieve over 80% efficiency, which means it burns more efficiently 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 important to maintain proper clearances between the stove and any combustible material such as curtains or furniture.

Examine the combustion technology of the manufacturer to ensure it is safe and efficient. Some stoves are designed to fit into existing fireplaces while others are freestanding and can be moved when needed. Whatever stove you select it is important to make sure that it is equipped with the appropriate safety features. These include a shut-off system and venting system that stops gas that is flammable from entering your home.

The Scan 83-2 from Danish brand Scan is modern and sleek Portable Wood Fireplace burner that blends into any decor. Its minimalistic aesthetic, elegantly round silhouette, and lack superfluous detail create an elegant, yet simple appearance. This modern wood stove features an aluminum handle and mouldings and a door that can be closed easily and an angled front panel that allows a perfect view of the flames. It is available in black or gray, and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It comes in a variety sizes to suit different areas and spaces, such as large living areas and contemporary 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 small woodburning 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 the proper combustion. A lot of modern wood stoves have automatic control systems which control the flame and adjust the amount of air needed to ensure that the stove does not fail to burn, resulting in smoke. However, the operator (that's you) still has a significant impact on how well the stove works. You can cut down on the combustion by closing the vents for air too tightly. This will not only reduce the efficiency of the stove, but it will also increase the emissions of volatile compounds.

When you're starting a fire it is important to keep the vents for air open as wide as they can to provide enough oxygen for the fire. This will help stop the buildup of tar and other residue that can develop on the heat exchange surfaces. It is also recommended to make use of an ash shovel for stoves or a bristles to remove the ashes after each fire to keep the firebox and grate clean.

Add the wood slowly, and avoid closing the vents too rapidly. This could cause a vortex which will pull the smoke and unburned volatile compounds into the firebox. This will decrease the combustion efficiency and result in the fire burning less wood, which in turn reduces the heat output of the stove.

A blow pipe is a device to improve combustion by blowing air into the flame. However it is crucial to note that blow pipes can be dangerous if used correctly. They can lead to fires that are difficult to contain when placed too close to flames. It's best woodburners to leave this kind of equipment to experts or those who are aware of what they are doing.

Economical

Purchasing and burning 10kw wood burning stove is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource and therefore carbon neutral. Wood stoves are often built with a back boiler which means that the gasses are circulated to heat water in your home, further reducing energy bills.

Modern stoves are more efficient in heating your home. They have high efficiency in combustion and emit less emissions. They are smaller and less bulky than fireplaces, meaning they can radiate more heat into the room and less heat gets lost up the chimney.

Many manufacturers make use of a combination of advanced design and clever engineering to make their stoves more eco-friendly. This can be done through the addition of features like firebox insulation, a huge baffle that creates a longer and more efficient gas flow and pre-heated combustion air and secondary combustion. This permits higher temperatures and less pollution.

A top-quality wood stove will be SIA ecodesign compliant and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they emit very low levels pollution. This is important, because the EPA has set strict limits for the amount of pollution a wood burner can emit. The SIA Ecodesign scheme is a mark of a stove which has been tested to meet the requirements.

If you have a big enough garden and are able to collect local, sustainable, and untreated logs then making use of a wood stove can be an excellent method to reduce your carbon footprint as well as saving money on heating. Locally harvested wood supports local woodlands, and encourages active land management. This has a positive effect on wildlife.

It is also possible to build your own wood stove which can save you a lot of money. It is possible because of the availability of offcuts as well as reclaimed wood and DIY kits that can help you build it yourself. You can pick between non-catalytic or catalytic wood burning stoves. The former is less expensive and easier to use, while the latter is more expensive but is more efficient in cutting emissions.