The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning
Wood stoves are the ideal source of heat for those who are looking to keep their home warm and cozy. However, there are certain things to consider before you start an fire.
All wood stoves need constant air flow to generate heat and fuel. The flow of air is controlled by dampers on the door of the stove and the flue pipe leading to the chimney.
Warmth
Contrary to central heating that is pumped through ductwork and spread throughout the home, stoves use convection to warm your space. They also generate radiant heat. However, this is often warmer than convection heating since the warmth is absorbed by the surface instead of dispersing into the air. A wood stove is a firewood burner to create radiant warmth that can add lots of warmth to a space in a relatively short amount of time.
The type of wood and how it is seasoned can affect the efficiency of your stove. For example hard woods such as hazel, birch, and oak take longer to burn, but they provide an extended and consistent heat. These woods are good for heating your home since they have an energy density that is high. Soft woods like spruce or fir have lower energy density which means that they burn faster and emit more carbon dioxide.
Many modern wood burning stoves have turn dampers inside the interior part of the flue pipe which connects to the chimney. The dampers can be turned to control the amount of heat that is retained in your home through controlling the speed that combustion gases leave your stove.
It is essential to be aware that a wood-burning stove requires more upkeep than other heating methods. You will have to cut, split and stack the firewood before you are able to burn it. You'll have to replenish the stove with fuel once it is low and you will also have to remove the ash every so often. You will also need to ensure that the stove has sufficient draft to draw into the air to ignite.
You may also have to face smoke pollution from your stove, depending on the zoning laws that apply to your area and the way you maintain it. Many towns use zoning laws 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 to regulate the use of outdoor fire-pits as well as limit opacity and nuisance conditions.
Aesthetics
A wood stove provides an elegant look to your home. The warm glow of the flames that are licking dried logs gives a feeling warmth and cosiness. They look stunning in any room and are a great addition to vintage or rustic decor. They also serve as a fantastic alternative for power interruptions as they offer radiant warmth.
They can also be an excellent method to save money as well as reduce carbon emissions. With a modern wood burner you can reduce your heating expenses and save fuel oil by burning locally sourced, seasoned firewood. The use of wood for burning aids in the active management of forests, which benefits wildlife and local communities.
When you are choosing a wood burning stove, think about its energy efficiency. A modern wood stove should be capable of achieving over 80% efficiency, which means it burns more efficiently and produces less smoke. Find a wood stove with secondary, heat-retaining glass as well as advanced combustion systems like catalytic or not-catalytic. It is also important to ensure proper clearances between the stove and combustible items like curtains or furniture.
It is also important to check the combustion technology employed by the manufacturer to make sure that it is safe and effective. Some stoves are designed to be installed to existing fireplaces, while others are freestanding and may be moved when needed. No matter which type of stove is chosen, it's important to ensure that it is equipped with the appropriate safety features. This includes a shut-off system and venting system, which stops gas that is flammable from entering your home.
The Scan 83-2 wood burner from Danish brand Scan blends seamlessly into any décor. Its minimalistic design, elegantly round silhouette, and lack superfluous detail create a simple but sophisticated appeal. This modern wood burning stove comes with an aluminum handle and moldings, soft-close doors and a curved panel to give you a clear view of the flames. It is available in black or gray, and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It comes in a variety of sizes to suit various spaces and rooms, including 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 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 maintain proper combustion, wood heat requires a great deal of care. A lot of modern wood stoves have automatic control systems that monitor the flame, and adjust the amount of air needed to prevent a poor combustion that results in smoke. The person who operates the stove (that is you) has a major influence on the performance of the stove. Particularly you can hinder the process of combustion by closing too many of the air vents. This will not only decrease the efficiency of the stove, but will also increase the emissions of volatile compounds.
It is crucial to ensure that air vents are as wide as they can be when you start a fire to ensure that the fire is getting sufficient oxygen. This will help keep tar from accumulating and other residue that can form on the heat exchange surfaces. It is also recommended to make use of an ash shovel for stoves or a Broom to clean the ashes after each fire to keep the firebox and grate clean.
Add the wood slowly, and be careful about closing the vents too fast. This could create an eddy that draws the smoke and unburned volatile compounds into the firebox. This will reduce combustion efficiency which will cause the fire to burn less fuel and reduce the amount of heat produced.
A blow pipe is a device to improve combustion by blowing air into the flame. However it is crucial to remember that blow pipes can be dangerous if employed in a safe manner. They can cause fires that are difficult to contain when placed too close to flames. This type of equipment is best left to professionals and those who are experienced.
Economical
The burning and buying of wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource, and therefore carbon neutral. Wood stoves are typically constructed with a back boiler, which means that the waste gases can be circulated to heat water in your home, further reducing energy bills.
Modern stoves are more efficient when it comes to heating your home. They are efficient in combustion, and emit fewer emissions. They are also smaller and more compact than fireplaces, which means they can radiate more heat into the space and less heat is lost through the chimney.
Many manufacturers combine innovative design with clever engineering to create eco-friendly stoves. This can be accomplished by incorporating features like baffles that are large and thick to provide a longer, warmer gas flow as well as pre-heated combustion air and secondary combustion. This allows the burn to occur at higher temperatures, and reduces harmful pollutant emissions.
A top-quality wood stove will be SIA Ecodesign-compliant and will have passed stringent tests to ensure that they produce very little pollution. This is crucial because the EPA established strict limits on the amount of pollution a new wood stove can emit and the SIA Ecodesign program is the mark of stoves that have met these standards.
If you have a large enough garden and can collect local, sustainable and untreated logs, the use of a wood stove is an excellent way of cutting down on your carbon footprint as well as conserving money on heating. By purchasing locally-sourced wood, you help local woodlands and encourage the active management of the land which has a positive effect on wildlife too.
It is also possible to build your own wood stove, which can save you a lot of money. It's possible due to the availability of scraps, reclaimed wood and DIY kits that can assist you in building it yourself. woodburning stoves can pick between non-catalytic and catalytic wood stoves that are less expensive and easier to operate, whereas the latter is more expensive but more efficient at cutting emissions.