Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Selecting the best wood stove is a matter of weighing factors like the capacity of heating, size, combustion technology materials, aesthetics maintenance, and safety features. A modern wood stove that is installed correctly and selected will satisfy your heating requirements and improve the ambiance in your home. It will also be in line with your environmental values.
Look for features that make it easy to maintain your stove and keep the glass clean. Choose a wood stove with a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and easy cleaning
It is crucial to select a wood burner that offers easy maintenance and cleaning. It is recommended to look for stoves that have removable ash pans or trays, that make it simple to clean out the ash residue. You should also search for stoves that have access mechanisms that make it easy to clean the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning stoves are even equipped with glass doors that self-clean, making them a great choice for those who want to cut down on the amount of maintenance and cleaning that is required.
The length of time you'll need to clean your stove depends on the fuel that you use and how it is burned. For instance, if you burn hardwood your stove will require more frequent cleaning because the tar that is formed on the glass requires more regular removal than those who burn lighter coals. To reduce the amount tar that forms on the glass of your stove, you may try using a specific glass cleaner. However, ensure that you follow the directions carefully because too much cleaner can cause damage to the glass.
Best wood burning stoves and woodburning stoves also have an airwash system that helps keep the windows clear. It works by passing air over the glass from above, which stops the build-up of tar and makes it easier to see the flames inside the stove.
For more frequent cleaning, you should check the ashpan each time you cook and empty it if needed. It is recommended that you empty the ashpan every every 4-6 weeks. Ask your installer or manufacturer if you're unsure what frequency to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70% of the organic material burnt directly into heat. This is an advantage for anyone looking to cut down on heating costs while also being more self-sufficient.
Manufacturers of stoves have adapted to the growing demands of the market by introducing advanced technology that reduces particulate emission drastically. Many new log-burning fireplaces have been certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles when in full operation. This is an amazing accomplishment that would have been unthinkable just a few short years back.
In addition to this wood burning stoves are carbon neutral forms of heating when made from responsibly wood logs that are sourced from sustainable sources. When they grow trees eliminate carbon dioxide and when they are burned to heat, they release the same amount of CO2 into the air. This is a cycle that is better for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas, which produce 0.198kg of CO2 for each kilowatt and electricity, which generates a costly amount of 0.517kg for every Kilowatt.
Having a wood burning stove as a secondary source of heating also helps to reduce the strain on the national grid during peak evening consumption times. Combining a wood-burning stove with a condensing or pellet boiler or air-source heatpump can offer an efficient and sustainable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a green alternative to heating. Carbon neutrality is possible in the event that the wood is responsibly sourced and managed. When trees are burned and released carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Modern wood stoves are built to last. They're made from high-quality materials that are resistant to warping or damage caused by excessive heat. They also have easy-to-clean combustion systems that aid in reducing the amount of soot and smoke generated by the stove. You can also choose a wood burner with an auto-ignition mechanism which means that you don't need to manually light the fire each time you use it.
Wood is cheaper than other types of heating on a basis of bTU. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can expect consistent heating costs year in and out.
This Mendip model is a great choice if you want a stove with the best combination of efficiency and durability, and also visual appeal. The large-screen window gives an amazing view of the flames, and there is plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, complies with Ecodesign Standards and has clearSkies level 5 qualifications.
The Holborn 7 by British manufacturer Esse offers another attractive option for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is DEFRA-approved and has a decent seasonal efficiency of 80%. The large window provides stunning fire visuals and is equipped with an air wash system that keeps the glass clear. Suitable for smoke control areas, it's available in both traditional and contemporary colors. The model also features an efficient catalytic combustor, and is suitable for use with briquettes, logs or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners are available in different styles that can be suited to any home. They can be designed to fit into any type of space and come in a wide selection of colors to complement your interior design. Many of them have decorative details and trims that add a touch of class. You can choose a stove that has an integrated log storage which will aid in keeping your fireplace clean and tidy.
Modern log burners are built to the highest standards and have an excellent reputation for reliability. Modern combustion technology allows them to burn wood efficiently, reducing emissions and making them a greener alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves can cut down on the amount of particulate matter (PM) emitted by up to 50% and some are capable of reducing the emission of dioxins and furans.
The most modern generation of wood burners burn creosote produced by burning wood fuel through the secondary combustion method. This can be done either directly or by passing the wood through a catalytic converter which helps clean the atmosphere in your home. However, it is important to know that some brands of stoves still emit only a tiny amount of PM emitted from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax is an example of a highly efficient modern wood burner that produces very little PM. The stove is 5kW and features a large porthole window which is maintained clean by an airwashing system. It generates a substantial amount of heat for rooms with medium size. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign compliant. This means it's a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their existing fireplace or add an extra heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is a great source of heat, but it can also trigger harmful particles to release into the air. These are referred to as particulate matter, and they can affect our health and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Modern wood stoves are designed specifically to reduce the amount of emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for example, are engineered to meet the strict European directives on particulate matter. They use a hotter fireplace to ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. This means they need less wood to generate 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 seasoned for a minimum of two weeks. You should also avoid using unseasoned wood or briquettes in your stove, because they can cause excessive levels of gas and smoke.
To avoid the accumulation of ash, it is essential to keep the flame burning to a minimum until the ashes are removed. Other safety measures include closing the door when you are not working on the flame, and never touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cool and always putting out a stove before leaving the house or going to bed.
It is also recommended to get your stove checked by an engineer every year to ensure it's functioning properly. This will help reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, organic gaseous compounds and particulate matter. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is at or above 250 degrees Fahrenheit and 121 degrees Celsius, which is vital for the safe operation of a stove made of wood.