Watch Out: How Wood Stove Burning Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

The Advantages of Wood Stove Burning Wood stove burning is the ideal source of heat for those looking to keep their home warm and cosy. But, there are a few things to consider prior to starting a fire. All wood stoves require constant air flow to create heat and ignite. This is controlled by adjustable dampers on the stove's door and in the flue pipe that leads to the chimney. Warmth Unlike central heating which is pumped through ductwork and distributed throughout the home stoves use convection to heat your space. They can also produce radiant heat. However it is usually colder than convection heating because the warmth is absorbed into the surface instead of dissipating into the air. A wood stove produces radiant heat by burning firewood. It can quickly warm the room. The type of wood you choose to use and the way it is seasoned will impact how well your stove will perform. Hard woods like hazel, birch, oak and hazelnut take longer to burn, but produce a long-lasting, even heat. These kinds of woods are ideal for heating your home since they have a high energy density. Soft woods like spruce and fir have less energy density, which means that they burn faster and generate higher levels of carbon emissions. Many modern wood-burning stoves have turn dampers that are installed in the interior of the pipe that leads to the chimney. The dampers can be rotated to control the amount of heat retained within your home by regulating the speed that combustion gases leave your stove. It is important to remember that a wood stove needs more maintenance than other heating options. Before you can burn the wood, you'll need to cut it up then split it, and stack it. You'll need to replenish the stove if it is running out of fuel, and you'll also have to regularly clean the ash. It is also important to make sure that the stove can draw in enough air to burn. In accordance with the zoning regulations in your area, and how you maintain your stove, you may also have to tackle smoke pollution. Many towns use zoning laws to regulate outdoor burning, and limit visible smoke from the stove as well as soot and odor. The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), in addition, has regulations that control the outdoor burning equipment and limit opacity. Aesthetics A wood stove can add an original look to your home. The warm glow of the flames that lick dry logs creates a sense of warmth and cosiness. They are a welcome addition to any room of the home and look stunning when paired with vintage and rustic decor. They also make a great alternative for power outages as they provide radiant heat. These are also an excellent way to cut carbon emissions and save money. Burning locally harvested and properly seasoned firewood in a contemporary wood stove can help you save money on heating oil. Additionally, the use of wood for burning can help promote the active management of woodlands which is beneficial to wildlife and local communities. When selecting a wood-burning stove, think about its energy efficiency. A modern wood stove is expected to achieve more than 80% efficiency, meaning it burns more efficiently and produces less smoke. Look for a design with secondary, heat-retaining glazing and advanced combustion systems such as catalytic or non-catalytic. It is also important to ensure proper clearances between the stove and combustible items such as curtains or furniture. You should also examine the combustion technology used by the manufacturer to ensure that it is safe and effective. Certain stoves are designed to fit into preexisting fireplaces while others are freestanding and can be moved if needed. No matter which type of stove is chosen, it's important to ensure it has the necessary 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 seamlessly blends into any décor. Its minimalistic aesthetic and elegantly round shape and lack of unnecessary details create an elegant and simple look. The contemporary wood stove comes with an aluminium handle and moldings as well as a door that is soft-close and a curved front panel for a perfect view of the flames. It is available in gray or black and can be used indoors or out. It is available in various sizes to suit different rooms and spaces, including large living areas as well as 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 large deal of care. Many of the newer wood stoves have automated control systems that check the flame and adjust the amount of air needed to prevent incomplete combustion resulting in smoke. However, the user (that's you) still has a major influence on how well the stove works. You can decrease the amount of combustion by closing the air vents too much. This will not only reduce the effectiveness of the stove, but also increase the emissions of volatile compounds. It is essential to keep air vents as wide as they can be before starting a fire in order to ensure that the fire has sufficient oxygen. This will prevent a buildup of tar and other residues that may develop on the heat exchange surfaces. It is also recommended to make use of an ash shovel for stoves or a bristles to remove the ashes after each fire to keep the grate and firebox clean. It's also important to add the wood slowly and to avoid closing the air vents too quickly, since this can create a vortex that could trap the smoke and other unburned volatile compounds back into the firebox and into the room. This reduces the efficiency of combustion and cause the fire to burn less fuel and decrease the heat output. Utilizing a blow pipe to blow air into the flame is an additional method to increase combustion and help it spread evenly. However it is important to keep in mind that blow pipes can be dangerous if properly used. They can lead to fires that are difficult to contain when placed too close to flames. It's best to leave this type of equipment to professionals or those who are aware of what they are doing. Economic The purchase and burning of wood is a green alternative to fossil fuels. It is a renewable resource and therefore carbon neutral. Wood stoves are often built with a back boiler which means that the waste gases can be used to heat the water in your home, further cutting down on energy costs. Stoves have become increasingly efficient at heating your home, with modern stoves offering high levels of combustion efficiency and lower emissions. They are also smaller and compact than fireplaces, meaning they can radiate more heat into the room and less heat is lost through the chimney. Many manufacturers make use of a combination of advanced design and clever engineering to create more eco-friendly stoves. This is accomplished by incorporating features such as the insulation of the firebox, large baffles to make a longer, more hot gas flow and pre-heated air for combustion and secondary combustion. This allows the burn to take place at higher temperatures and helps reduce harmful pollution. A top-quality wood stove will be SIA ecodesign compliant and will have passed stringent tests to ensure that they generate very low levels of pollution. This is important, because the EPA has set strict limits for how much pollution that a wood stove can produce. The SIA Ecodesign scheme is a symbol of a stove that meets the requirements. If you have a large enough garden and are able to collect local, sustainable, and untreated logs then making use of a wood stove can be an excellent method of cutting down on your carbon footprint while conserving money on heating. By purchasing locally-sourced wood, you support local woodlands and encourage the active management of the land, which can have a positive impact on wildlife too. woodburning stoves is also possible to build your own wood stove which will help you save money. It's possible due to the availability of scraps as well as reclaimed wood and DIY kits that can assist you in building it. You can pick between catalytic and non-catalytic wood stoves that are cheaper and simpler to operate, whereas the one with the catalytic is more expensive, but is more effective at cutting emissions.