Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are elegant and contemporary, and complement a variety of home styles. They're a great source of heat and can radiate heat throughout the space.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified for their high efficiency in heating and lower particle emissions. The efficiency can be improved by operating the air controls in a correct manner.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are a sustainable source of heat and can be a great addition to the heating system in your home. Moreover, they are very efficient heaters and some models are nearly as efficient as your furnace or oil-burning appliance. Modern stoves are designed to maximize the amount of heat generated by each piece of wood. This means you don't need to purchase the same amount of wood and can have a warm fire all through winter.
Stoves that are certified by the EPA burn very cleanly, and reduce emissions and waste by burning longer and using less fuel. This is in contrast with older fireplaces that utilize open flames or burning. These waste fuel, emit dust and pollute the air, causing contamination in your home.
The EPA certification for your wood stove can ensure that it complies with the highest safety and efficiency standards. You may also be eligible for a tax rebate for the purchase of a stove with EPA certification. This will aid in saving money and lower your energy costs.
A wood stove can help you cut out the major energy companies and any monopolies they may have in your area, releasing you from their erratic prices for electricity and gas. You'll still need to pay for wood however the price fluctuation is likely to be less severe than the price hikes you'd face when relying on the utility company.
Another benefit of heating your home using wood stoves is that it performs well during power outages. If the power goes out during an icy storm, you can keep your home warm with wood-burning stoves to create warmth for your kitchen and living spaces. In certain situations the chimney on the stove can be used to release hot water through the wall to a hot-water tank inside your home for more heat.
If your wood-burning fireplace isn't properly insulated, you could lose heat and create drafts. This issue is easily fixed by installing an insulated liner for your wood-burning stove. This will not only help you save energy, but will also increase the lifespan of your stove by preventing heat from leaving the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves can be a great way for you to conserve energy while remaining warm. However, they generate lots of soot. Keeping a clean stove is crucial to keep your home safe and healthy. It is recommended to clean your stove at least once a week, and your chimney once a year. Keeping your stove clean will ensure that it has proper air flow and it is safer to use.
The first step in cleaning your stove is to clean out the ash pan. The ashes can be emptied into a trash can, and then disposed of in a noncombustible bin or bag. If your fireplace has andirons or grates, clean them with brushes and brooms, and then dispose of the ashes the same way. Afterward, wipe down your stove's front and any other surfaces you wish to clean with a soft cloth. It is also an occasion to clean your ash tray or re-line it with fresh liners, which are readily available from your local hardware store.
Once your stove is cleaned the next step is to clean any creosote that remains on the fireplace's walls. This is best done with a broom with a hard-bristled handle, starting at the highest point you can before working your way down. If you have an air-tight vacuum cleaner that has an attachment that is hard-bristled, you can use this to get rid of loose soot as well.
If you are able to, remove any obstructions that may be blocking your chimney. This could be twigs, branches leaves, fruits or even nesting materials for small animals. (These animals are known to build nests inside stove pipes and chimneys!) Your chimney could be susceptible to wind-blown materials such as sand or leaves, depending on the location you live in.
It is also recommended to inspect your chimney at least once per year and to replace your catalytic filter every four to five years, and having your chimney professionally cleaned if needed. These routine tasks can help prevent fires and dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide from entering your home.
Convenience
Wood burning stoves create warmth and a warm atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces can't beat. There are a variety of styles and designs to pick from, whether they're a free-standing or integrated into the wall. There is nothing better than snuggling up with a crackling fireplace on the cold winter nights in southeast NY.
A wood stove can help you reduce your energy costs. It's an excellent alternative if you live in an area that is smoke-free (most of London, and many other major cities).
Stoves are an excellent method of heating your home. They can be used as a primary source for heating or as a supplementary source of heating. The amount of heat that they generate is contingent on the size and the airflow of the room. If you're planning to use your stove as a primary heating source it is crucial to think about the kind and quality of logs you purchase.
Locally sourced wood can help you reduce your costs while reducing the carbon footprint of your stove. Cutting, stacking and hauling logs can be an exhausting and physically demanding task if you don't have the proper equipment. This is why many people opt to install a log burner in their home as a more convenient alternative to gathering and chopping wood for their heating needs.
Modern wood stoves are more efficient and environmentally-friendly than traditional open-fire stoves. They must be in compliance with emissions regulations of the government and come with a catalytic combustion system which allows the wood to burn for longer, start the combustion at lower temperatures and reduces the amount of pollutants.
It is still necessary to maintain your stove regularly. This includes emptying all ash from the bottom of the stove, having the flue and chimney inspected, cleaning the glass door and making sure there are enough dry logs to fuel it. However, these needs for maintenance are much less than what you need to pay for energy to operate your heating system.
A wood stove is hazardous for pets and children who get too close to the flame. A stray ember can cause them to burn if they touch the flames or the glass of your stove. We suggest installing a safety gate around your fireplace to keep children and pets away from the fire.
Aesthetics
Fireplaces with wood burning stoves create an elegant ambiance to a room. When dressed up with an elegant mantel and stunning tiling, they can be the central feature of a living space. A masonry fireplace made using bricks, stacked stone and veneers can look stunning. Freestanding stoves are another option for homeowners who want to discover a style and a price that suits their home.
Fireplaces must be cleaned regularly to remove any particulates that are lodged in the chimney. These particles can ignite again and cause fires to be dangerous. They also can block the chimney, which can be dangerous and leads to carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, regular use of fireplaces requires regular supply of logs. This can be time-consuming and expensive to maintain.
Stoves don't need to be cleaned or swept as frequently as fireplaces. This saves homeowners time and money, while also removing the necessity of a fireplace liner. Stoves do not produce more carbon monoxide than fireplaces. They produce only a small amount, which is then pushed out into the air by hot gasses.
Wood stoves have a closed combustion chamber, which means that sparks do not pose the same danger to children or pets as fireplaces do. However, it is recommended to install doors and screens for stoves and fireplaces because sparks can still erupt out of the flame and cause injuries and property damage. Stoves must also be kept at a specific distance from combustible substances such as plasterboard and wallpaper.
The EPA has set emissions standards that limit the amount of pollution a new stove can produce in an hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be swept at least once a year to ensure they are in good condition and do not have cracks. A chimney liner is recommended to ensure that the flue is vented properly.
A wood stove comes with numerous environmental advantages. Wood is a renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy that can be grown and harvested in a reasonable amount of time. Oak, hickory and cherry are among the trees which can be used as firewood. The process of cutting down and transforming the wood into firewood takes about 20 to 30 years. It is also a renewable resource, because the tree can be replanted once it has been cut down.