Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Wood Stove Burning

The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning Wood stoves are an ideal heat source for those looking to keep their homes warm and cozy. However, there are certain things to bear in mind before you start a fire. All wood stoves require a constant air flow to generate combustion and heat. This is controlled by adjustable dampers located in the door of the stove and in the flue pipe which leads out to the chimney. Warmth Contrary to central heating that is pumped through ductwork, and distributed throughout the house Stoves make use of convection to warm your home. They also generate radiant heat. However it is usually warmer than convection heating since the warmth is absorbed into the solid surface instead of dissipating into the air. A wood stove burns wood to produce warm, radiant heat which can provide a lot of warmth to a room in a relatively short period of time. The kind of wood you select and the way it is seasoned will impact how well your stove performs. Hard woods like hazel, birch, and hazelnut are slower to burn, but they generate a long-lasting, even heat. They are an excellent choice for heating your home because they have a high energy density. Soft woods such as spruce and fir have a lower energy density. This means they are more efficient in burning and produce more carbon dioxide. Many modern wood-burning stoves have turn dampers that are installed in the inside of the pipe that connects to the chimney. The dampers can be turned to control the amount of heat that is retained within your home by regulating the speed of the combustion gases leaving your stove. It is crucial to understand that a wood-burning stove needs more maintenance than other heating methods. You'll have to cut and split the firewood before you can burn it. You'll have to replenish the stove when it runs out of fuel, and you'll also have to clean the ash frequently. It is also important to ensure that the stove has a sufficient draft to pull air in to ignite. You might also need to deal with the smoke from your stove, depending on the zoning regulations in your area and the way you maintain it. Many towns use zoning to regulate outdoor burning and to limit visible smoke from the stove as also odor and soot. Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has regulations that regulate the use of outdoor fire-pits as well as restrict opacity and nuisance. Aesthetics A wood stove adds an appealing aesthetic to your home. The warm glow of the flames that are licking dried logs gives a feeling warmth and cosiness. They are a welcome addition to any room in the home and look stunning when paired with rustic and vintage style decor. They also serve as a fantastic alternative to power interruptions as they offer radiant warmth. These are also an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions and save money. Burning locally harvested and well-seasoned stoves log burners in a modern wood stove can save you money on heating oil. Using wood for burning also assists in promoting active management of forests which is beneficial to wildlife as well as the local community. When choosing a wood burning stove, consider its energy efficiency. Modern wood stoves ought to be able to reach more than 80% efficiency. This means they burn more efficiently and emit less smoke. Look for a stove that features secondary, heat-retaining glass and advanced combustion systems, such as catalytic or non-catalytic. It is also essential to ensure that there is a proper clearance between the stove and combustible materials like curtains or furniture. You should also check the combustion technology employed by the manufacturer to ensure that it is safe and effective. Some stoves are designed to be installed into existing fireplaces while others are freestanding and may be moved when needed. No matter which type of stove you select it is important to make sure it comes with the required safety features. This includes an shut-off mechanism and venting system that will stop gas from escaping into your home. The Scan 83-2 wood stove from Danish brand Scan blends seamlessly into any decor. Its minimalistic aesthetic and elegantly round shape and a lack of excessive detail give it an elegant and simple look. This modern wood stove features an aluminum handle and mouldings as well as a door that is soft-close and a curved front panel for a perfect view of the flames. It can be finished in black or gray, and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. It comes in different sizes to fit into various spaces and rooms, such as large living rooms 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 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. To ensure proper combustion wood heat requires a deal of care. A lot of modern wood stoves come with automatic control systems that can monitor the flame and adjust the amount of air needed to ensure that the flame is not unable to burn completely and produces smoke. The person operating the stove (that is you) has a major impact on the efficiency of the stove. 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 will also increase the release of volatile compounds. When you start a fire, it is important to keep the vents for air open as wide as they can to allow enough oxygen to the fire. This will help to stop the buildup of tar and other residue that can develop on the heat exchange surfaces. To keep the grate clean and the firebox free of ash it's recommended that you employ an ash broom for stoves or a shovel to get rid of the ashes. It is also important to add the wood slowly and avoid closing the air vents too quickly, as this could create a vortex that could trap the smoke and other unburned volatile compounds back into the firebox and into the room. This can reduce the efficiency of combustion and cause the fire to burn less fuel, and reduce the amount of heat produced. Using a blow pipe to blow air into the flame is an additional method to increase combustion and help spread it evenly. It is important to remember that blow pipes are risky if not used properly. When they are used too close to the flames, they could cause fires that are difficult to control. This type of equipment should be left to professionals and those with experience. Savings The purchase and burning of wood is an alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource, and therefore carbon-neutral. Wood stoves are usually constructed with a back boiler, which means that the gasses are circulated to heat water in your home, thereby reducing energy bills. Stoves are now more efficient at heating your home, with new stoves achieving high levels of combustion efficiency and lower emissions. They are also smaller and compact than fireplaces, meaning they can project more heat into the room and less heat gets lost through the chimney. Many manufacturers employ an amalgamation of innovative design and clever engineering to make their stoves more eco-friendly. This is achieved by adding features like firebox insulation, a huge baffle that creates a longer and hotter gas flow path, pre-heated combustion air, and secondary combustion. This permits greater temperatures and less pollution. A top-quality wood stove is SIA ecodesign compliant and have passed strict tests to ensure that they generate very low levels of pollution. This is important, because the EPA has set strict guidelines for the amount of pollution the wood burner is able to emit. The SIA Ecodesign certification is a mark of a stove which meets the requirements. If you have a good garden and are able to collect locally grown sustainable, untreated logs and wood stoves, then a wood stove will help you reduce your carbon footprint while also saving money on heating. By purchasing locally-sourced wood, you aid local woodlands and promote the active management of the land, which has a positive effect on wildlife too. You can also construct your own wood-burning stove. This will help you save money. It is possible because of the availability of scraps, reclaimed wood and DIY kits that can assist you in building it. 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 more effective in reducing emissions.