Blog entry by Sienna Kieran
Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are elegant modern design that is a perfect match for a wide variety of home designs. They're a great source of heat that radiates heat throughout the space.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified and have high efficiency in heating and lower particle emissions. These efficiency levels can be increased by using the air controls properly.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves use a very efficient source of heating and can be a great addition to the heating system in your home. Some models are just as efficient as furnaces or other oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are designed to extract the most heat out of each piece of wood burned. This means you won't need to buy as much firewood and can have the warmth of a fire throughout winter.
Stoves that have been endorsed by the EPA burn very cleanly, and reduce emissions and waste by burning for longer and using less fuel. This is different from older fireplaces that make use of open flames or combustion. The waste fuels pollute air and cause dust contamination in your home.
The EPA certification of your wood stove will guarantee that it is in compliance with strict safety and efficiency standards. It also lets you get a tax credit on the purchase of a stove that meets the EPA standards, helping you save money while decreasing your energy costs.
Wood stoves can save you the pricey electricity and gas that are charged by large energy companies. Although you'll need to pay for the wood however, the price fluctuations will be less than what you would face if you were to rely on a utility provider.
A wood stove can also be used to provide warmth to your home during power outages. If power goes out in a snowstorm, you can keep your home warm by using Wood Burners garden-burning stoves to produce heat for your kitchen and living spaces. In certain situations, you can use the chimney of the wood stove to vent hot water into a hot-water storage tank in your home for additional heat.
If your wood-burning fireplace isn't insulated, you could lose heat and create drafts. You can fix this issue by adding an insulated wood defra stove liner to your fireplace. This will not only save you energy, but also increase the life of your stove as it prevents heat from escape through the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves are an excellent way to save energy and keep warm, but they produce plenty of soot. It is essential to keep your stove clean in order to keep your house safe and healthy. To achieve this, you should clean your stove once a week and your chimney at least once a year. Keeping your stove clean will ensure adequate air flow and is safer to use.
The first step in cleaning your stove is to empty the ash pan. The ashes can be emptied into a trash can, and then placed in a non-combustible bin or bag. If your fireplace has a grate or andirons you can clean them using a broom and brush and then dispose of them in the same way. Then take a soft, clean cloth to wipe the front of your stove as well as any other surfaces you want to clean. You can also use this occasion to clean your ash tray or line it with fresh liners, which are readily available from your local hardware store.
Once your stove has been cleaned, the next step is to sweep away any remaining creosote on the fireplace's walls. This is best wood burner stoves done with an broom that has a hard-bristled, beginning as high as you can and working downwards. If you have a vacuum cleaner with an attachment that is hard-bristled you can use it to clean up loose soot as well.
You should also clean out any obstructions in your chimney, should they be required. This could be twigs, branches fruits, leaves, or even nesting materials for small wood burning stove animals. (These animals are known to make nests in chimneys and stove pipes!) Your chimney could be susceptible to the wind-blown debris like leaves or sand, depending on the location you live in.
It is also recommended that you have your chimney inspected every year at a minimum, and that you replace your catalytic filters every 1-4 years, and having your chimney professionally cleaned if needed. These routine tasks can aid in preventing burning and harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide from getting into your home.
Convenience
A wood burning stove provides warmth and a cosy atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces cannot beat. There are a myriad of designs and styles to choose from, whether they're free-standing or built into an existing wall. There is nothing better than curling in front of a warm fireplace on the cold winter nights in the southeast region of NY.
Having a wood stove can help cut your energy costs. It's a great option if you live in an area that is smoke-free (most of London and other cities).
Stoves can be used as a primary heating source or as a supplement to your existing heating system. The amount of heat they generate depends on the dimensions of the room, how quickly the fire burns and how much air flow is around it. If you're planning to use your stove as your primary heating source it is essential to think about the type and quality of the logs you purchase.
Locally-sourced wood can help you reduce your costs and also reduce the carbon footprint of your stove. The process of splitting, stacking, and hauling logs is a time-consuming and physically demanding task if you do not have the appropriate equipment. Many people choose to install the use of a log heater at their home to eliminate the frustration of collecting, chopping, and the storage of wood.
Modern wood stoves are more efficient and green than traditional open fires. They must be in compliance with emissions regulations of the government and come with an engineered combustion system that allows the wood to burn for longer, and starts the combustion at lower temperatures, and reduces pollution.
You'll still need to maintain your stove regularly. This includes removing out the ash that has been accumulated in the stove, having the flue and chimney checked and cleaning the glass door, and making sure that there are enough dry logs to fuel it. These maintenance requirements are still less than the energy costs to operate your heating system.
A wood stove could be dangerous for children and pets who get too close to the flame. A stray spark could cause them to burn if they touch the glass or flames of your stove. If you have pets or children we strongly recommend putting up a safety gate to your fireplace and keeping your pets away from the fire.
Aesthetics
Fireplaces wood burner clearance sale burning stoves add a beautiful ambiance to rooms. When dressed up with an elegant mantel and stunning tiling they are the centerpiece of any living space. A masonry fireplace made from bricks, stacked stones and veneers can be stunning. Alternatively, freestanding stoves offer numerous options for homeowners trying to find the perfect style for their budget and home.
Fireplaces need to be swept regularly to remove particulates from the chimney. These particles are dangerous as they can re-ignite, causing fires. They also can block the chimney, which is hazardous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular fireplace use requires a continuous supply. This can be time-consuming and expensive to maintain.
Stoves aren't required to be cleaned or swept as frequently as fireplaces. This can save homeowners time and money, in addition to eliminating the need for a fireplace liner. Stoves do not generate more carbon monoxide than fireplaces. They only produce a small amount, which is then pushed out into the air by hot gases.
wood burners stoves are enclosed in their combustion chamber, so sparks do not pose the same risk to children and pets that fireplaces do. It is recommended that fireplaces as well as wood stoves have screens or doors fitted, as sparks could still erupt from the fire and cause injuries and property damage. Stoves should be kept at a certain distance from any combustible materials, like wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has established emission standards that restrict the amount of air pollution a new stove is allowed to create per hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be swept once a year to ensure they are in good working order and don't have any cracks. In addition a chimney liner needs to be installed to make sure the flue is properly vented.
The benefits for the environment of a wood stove are numerous. Wood is a sustainable renewable energy source that can be harvested and grown in a reasonable amount of time. Hickory, oak, and cherry are a few of the trees that can be used to make firewood. The process of cutting down and processing the wood into firewood takes between 20 and 30 years. It is also a renewable resource, since the tree can be planted again after it has been cut down.