Choosing a Modern Wood Burner
Selecting the best wood stove is a matter of weighing aspects like heating capacity, size of the stove, combustion technology, materials, aesthetics maintenance and safety features. A well-selected and properly installed modern wood burner will suit your heating requirements, improve the ambience of your home, and align with your environmental goals.
Find features that help you maintain your stove, and keep the glass clear. Choose a stove made of wood with a self-cleaning glass.
Easy maintenance and cleaning
When selecting your wood burner, it is important to think about the ease of maintenance and cleaning that the stove offers. It is recommended to look for stoves that have removable ash pans or trays, which allow you to clean out the ash residue. In addition, you should look for stoves with easy-access mechanisms for cleaning the flue and chimney. Some modern wood burning stove s are even equipped with self-cleaning glass doors, making them a great option for those looking to cut down on the amount of cleaning and maintenance required.
The frequency you need to clean your stove will be contingent on the type of fuel you are using and how well it burns. For instance when you use hardwood the stove will require frequent cleaning as the tar that builds up on the glass needs regular removal, unlike if you burn softer coals. To reduce the amount of tar that forms on your stove's glass, you may try using a specific glass cleaner. However, ensure that you follow the directions carefully because too much cleaner can harm the glass.
Airwash systems are also available on a variety of modern multifuel and wooden stoves. They help to keep the glass windows clear. The system is a way of blowing air from above over the glass, which helps to keep it clean and also prevents tar buildup.
For more frequent cleaning, you should check the ashpan each time you use your stove and empty it when necessary. Empty the ashpan every 4-6 week. Contact your installer or manufacturer if you're unsure what frequency to empty your ashpan.
Energy efficiency
Modern wood burners are more energy efficient than gas or electric fires. They convert 70% of the organic material burnt directly into heat. This is a great advantage for anyone who wishes to lower their heating expenses while also being more self-sufficient.
The stove manufacturers have adapted to the growing consumer demand by developing advanced technology that reduces particulate emission significantly. Many new log-burning fireplaces have been certified to emit less than 2.0 grams of fine particles in full operation. This is an amazing achievement, which would have been unthinkable just a few short years back.
Wood burning stoves can be a carbon neutral heating option when they are used in conjunction with wood logs that are sourced responsibly. In their growth phase, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they are burned for heating, they release the same amount of CO2 back into the air. This is a virtuous circle that is more sustainable for the environment than fossil fuels such as gas which produce 0.198kg of carbon per kilowatt of heat and electricity which results in a price of 0.517kg per kilowatt.
A wood-burning stove as a secondary source of heating will also help to alleviate pressure on the national grid during peak evening consumption times. The utilization of a wood burner together with a condensing boiler, pellet boiler or air-source heat pump provides the ideal combination for an eco-friendly and affordable heating system for your home.
Durability
Wood burning stoves are a sustainable alternative to heating. Carbon neutrality is attainable as long as the wood is responsibly harvested and properly managed. When trees are burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the air.
Modern wood stoves are designed to last. The materials are of top quality and resist warping and damage caused by excessive heat. They feature easy-to-clean burners which reduce the amount of soot and smoke generated by the stove. You can select a wood stove with an ignition system that is automatic so that you don't need to manually light it every time.
In contrast to other forms of heat wood is comparatively affordable on a per-bTU basis. It's also less volatile than fossil fuels, which means you can expect consistent heating costs throughout the year. out.
This Mendip model is the ideal option if you're looking for an appliance that has the best combination of durability and efficiency, and also aesthetic appeal. The widescreen window allows for an amazing view of the flames and there's plenty of space below the firebox to store logs. It's also DEFRA approved, has been tested to meet Ecodesign standards and has level five clearSkies certification.
The Holborn 7 from British manufacturer Esse is another stunning option for wood burning. This slim multi-fuel stove is approved by DEFRA and has a high seasonal efficiency of 80%. The large window gives you an excellent view of the flame and is equipped with an air-wash system that keeps it clean. It is available in both traditional colors and modern versions. The model also features a clever catalytic combustor and is suitable for use with logs, briquettes or coal.
Style
Modern wood burners come in a range of styles that can be suited to any home. They can be designed to fit in any style of room and come in a wide selection of colors to complement your interior design. Many have ornamental details and trims that enhance their appeal. You can also pick one with an integrated log store, which can help to keep your fireplace tidy and tidy.
Modern log burners are constructed to a high quality and have earned a reputable reputation for their reliability. Modern combustion technology permits them to burn wood efficiently which reduces emissions and makes them a greener alternative than traditional open fires. Modern stoves can reduce particulate matter (PM) and dioxins by up to 50%.
The most modern generation of wood burners use a second combustion process to burn the creosote that is created by burning wood fuel. This can be done directly or by passing wood through a catalyst converter. This can help clean the air in your home. However it is important to know that certain brands of stoves still produce some PM that are released from the chimney.
The Go Eco by Stovax, contemporary wood burner with high efficiency and low PM production is a great example. This 5kW multifuel stove has a large window for portholes that is kept clean using an airwashing system. It produces a good amount of heat for medium-sized rooms. It is also DEFRA-approved and Ecodesign certified. This makes it a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their existing fireplace or to add an additional heating source.
Safety
A wood stove is an excellent source of heat however, it also releases harmful particles into the air. These are known as particulate matter and can have a negative impact on our health and increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses. Fortunately modern wood stoves are designed to minimize these emissions. Ecodesign stoves, for instance designed to meet the strict European guidelines regarding particulate matter. They use a hotter fireplace to ignite combustion particles and reduce emissions. This means they also require less logs to generate the same amount of heat as other stoves.
The most efficient way to reduce emissions is to use wood fuel that has been inspected by the Woodsure Ready to Burn Scheme and only dry wood that has been been seasoned for at least two weeks. You should also avoid using unseasoned wood or briquettes for your stove, as they may cause excessive levels of gas and smoke.
It is also essential to keep the fire burning at a lower temperature until the ashes have cool and then to remove the ash from the stove in order to prevent the accumulation of. Other safety measures include closing the door when you are not taking care of the fire, never touching the flue pipe or stove until it is completely cool and always extinguishing a stove before leaving the house or going to sleep.
It is also recommended to check your stove with an engineer every year to ensure that it's operating correctly. This will help to minimise particulate matter, organic gaseous compounds and carbon monoxide emissions. This will ensure that the flue gas temperature is above 250 degrees Fahrenheit 121 degrees Celsius, which is essential to ensure the safety of a wood stove.