The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning
Wood stoves are an ideal source of heat for those looking to keep their home warm and cozy. There are a few things to consider prior to deciding to begin a wood fire.
All wood stoves need constant air flow to produce heat and combustion. The air flow is controlled by dampers in the door of the stove and the flue pipe which leads to the chimney.
Warmth
Contrary to central heating that is delivered through ductwork and spread throughout the home, stoves use convection to heat your space. They also generate radiant heat. However wood burning fire is usually warmer than convection heating since the warmth is absorbed into the surface instead of dispersing into the air. A wood stove generates radiant heat by burning firewood. It will quickly warm up a room.
The kind of wood you select and the method by which it is seasoned will impact how well your stove performs. Hard woods like hazel, birch, and hazelnut are slower to burn, but produce a long-lasting, even heat. These kinds of woods are ideal for heating your home since they have an energy density that is high. Soft woods such as spruce or fir have lower energy density. This means that they are more efficient in burning and produce more emissions.
Many modern wood burning stoves have turn dampers within the indoor portion of the flue pipe that runs to the chimney. The dampers are rotatable, and can be adjusted to slow down or speed up the departure of combustion gasses from the stove, thereby controlling how much heat is retained in 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 have to chop it up, split it and stack it. You'll have to replenish the stove when it runs out of fuel, and you'll also need to clean the ash frequently. It is also important to ensure that the stove has sufficient draft to pull in air to ignite.
You might also need to take care of smoke pollution from your stove, based on the zoning regulations in your area and how you maintain it. Numerous towns use zoning 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 regulate the outdoor burning equipment and limit the amount of opacity.
Aesthetics
A wood stove can add an unique look to your home. The warm glow of the flames licking at dried logs creates a sense of warmth and cosiness. They look great in any room and are a wonderful option for rustic or vintage decor. They also serve as a fantastic alternative to power outages since they provide radiant heat.
They can also be a great way to save money and reduce carbon emissions. The use of locally-sourced and seasoned firewood in a modern wood stove can save you money on heating oil. Using wood burning fire for burning also helps to promote active management of forests, which benefits wildlife and local communities.
When choosing a wood burning stove, think about its energy efficiency. Modern wood stoves should be able to achieve over 80% efficiency. This means they are more efficient in burning and produce less smoke. Look for a stove that features secondary, heat-retaining glass and advanced combustion systems such as catalytic or non-catalytic. It is important to keep a safe distance between your stove and any combustible materials such as curtains or furniture.
Examine the combustion technology of the manufacturer to ensure it's safe and efficient. Some stoves are designed to fit into existing fireplaces while others are freestanding and may be moved if needed. Whatever stove you choose, it's important to ensure it has the necessary safety features. These include a shut-off system and venting system, which prevents combustible gas from entering your home.
The Scan 83-2 wood stove from Danish brand Scan is a perfect fit for any decor. Its minimalist aesthetic and elegantly rounded design and lack of superfluous details create a simple yet sophisticated appeal. This modern wood burning stove comes with an aluminum handle, moldings, soft-close doors, and a curved panel to provide a clear view of the flames. It is available in black or gray and can be used indoors or out. It is available in various sizes to fit in different spaces and rooms, such as large living rooms and modern 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 the proper combustion, wood heat requires a large deal of care. Many of the newer wood stoves are equipped with automatic control systems which monitor the flame, and adjust the air required to prevent a poor combustion that results in smoke. The person who operates the stove (that is you) has a big impact on the efficiency of the stove. Particularly you can hinder the process of combustion by closing too much of the air vents. This will not only decrease the effectiveness of the stove, but will also increase the emission of volatile compounds.
When you start a fire, it is essential to keep the air vents open as wide as possible to provide enough oxygen for the fire. This will help to prevent a buildup of tar and other residue that can develop on the heat exchange surfaces. It's also recommended to make use of an ash shovel for stoves or a Broom to clean the ashes after each fire to keep the grate and firebox clean.
It is also important to add the wood slowly and to keep the air vents from closing too quickly, as it could create a vortex which will draw the smoke and unburned volatile compounds back into the firebox and into the room. This can reduce the efficiency of combustion which will cause the fire to burn less fuel, and reduce the heat output.
Utilizing a blow pipe to blow air into the flame is a different method to improve combustion and help it spread evenly. corner wood burning stove is important to keep in mind that blow pipes are dangerous if they are not used in a safe manner. They can create fires that are difficult to control if used too close to flames. It's best to leave this kind of equipment to professionals or those who are aware of what they are doing.
Savings
The burning and purchase of wood is a green alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource and therefore is considered carbon neutral. A majority of wood stoves have a back boiler that lets the waste gases be used to provide heat to your home and decrease the cost of energy.
Stoves have become increasingly efficient at heating your home, with new stoves achieving high levels of efficiency in combustion and lower emissions. They are smaller, less bulky and more efficient than fireplaces. This means that they can radiate more warmth into the room and also reduce the loss of heat through the chimney.
Many manufacturers combine cutting-edge design with clever engineering to create eco-friendly stoves. This is accomplished through the addition of features such as firebox insulation, a huge baffle to create a wider and hotter gas flow path and pre-heated combustion air and secondary combustion. This permits the combustion to take place at higher temperatures and also reduces harmful pollutant emissions.
A good quality wood stove will be SIA Ecodesign-compliant and has passed rigorous tests to ensure they emit very low levels of pollution. This is important, because the EPA has set very strict limits on the amount of pollutants that a wood stove can produce. The SIA Ecodesign certification is a mark of a stove which has been tested to meet the requirements.
If you have an adequate garden and are able to collect locally grown sustainable, untreated logs, then a wood stove can help reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on heating. Locally sourced wood supports local woodlands and encourages active land management. This has a positive effect on wildlife.
You can also construct your own wood burning stove. This will save you money. This is possible because of the availability of offcuts and reclaimed timber and a selection of DIY kits are available to assist you in building your own. You can choose between non-catalytic and catalytic wood stoves which are less expensive and easier to operate, while the one with the catalytic is more expensive, but is more effective in lowering emissions.