Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves have an elegant modern design that is a perfect match for an array of home designs. They are a powerful source of heat and can radiate heat throughout the entire space.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified with high heating efficiencies and reduced particle emissions. By correctly controlling the air vents you can improve the efficiency of your stove.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves use a very sustainable source of heat and can be a great addition to your home's current heating system. Some models are as efficient as furnaces and oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are engineered to extract the most heat from each piece of wood burned. This means that you don't have to purchase as much wood and can enjoy a cozy fireplace all through winter.
Stoves that have been certified by the EPA are extremely clean and reduce emissions and waste by keeping the fire burning for longer with less fuel. This is in contrast to older fireplaces that rely on open flames and burning, which create waste of fuel, pollute air and cause dust to pollute your home.
The EPA certification on your wood stove will ensure that it complies with the highest safety and efficiency standards. It also permits you to claim a tax credit towards the purchase of a stove that is certified, helping you save money in addition to decreasing your energy costs.
Wood stoves can help you avoid the high prices of electricity and gas that energy companies charge. While you'll still have to pay for the wood, the price fluctuations should be lower than the ones you would encounter in the event of relying on a utility provider.
Another benefit of heating your home with wood stoves is that it can be used in power outages. If the power goes out during a snowstorm, you can keep your home warm with a wood-burning stove to generate warmth for your kitchen and living spaces. In certain situations the chimney on the wood stove could be used to vent hot water through the wall into a hot-water tank in your home for more heat.
If your wood-burning fireplace is not adequately insulated, you may lose heat and cause drafts. You can easily solve this issue by adding an insulated wood stove liner to your fireplace. This will not only help you save energy, but also improve the longevity of your stove because it prevents heat from escaping through the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves are an excellent way to save energy and keep warm, but they also produce lots of soot. Keeping a clean stove is crucial to ensure your home is safe and healthy. To achieve this, you should clean your stove at least once a week and your chimney at least once per year. Keep your stove clean to ensure proper air flow. It will also make it safer to use.
The first step in cleaning your stove is to clean out the ash pan. The ashes can be emptied into a dustpan, then put into a non-combustible bin or bag. If your fireplace has a andirons or grates, clean them with brushes and brooms, and then dispose of the ashes the same way. Afterward, wipe down the stove's front and any other surfaces you want to clean using a soft cloth. You can also use the occasion to clean your ash pan or re-line it with new liners available at your local hardware store.
Once your stove has been cleaned the next step is to sweep away any creosote that remains on the walls of your fireplace. You can use a broom with bristles that are hard for this. Start at the highest point you can and then work your way down. You can also make use of the attachment of a vacuum cleaner that has bristles made of hard material to get rid of the sooty residue.
Also, you should clear any obstructions in your chimney in the event that it is necessary. 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 may be susceptible to wind-blown materials such as leaves or sand, based on where you live.
It is also recommended to inspect your chimney at least once per year, and that you replace your catalytic filter every four to five years, and having your chimney professionally cleaned if required. These regular tasks can help prevent harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide as well as fires from escaping your home.
Convenience
Wood burning stoves offer warmth and a warm atmosphere that gas or electric fireplaces can't compete with. It can be freestanding or built into the wall, there are plenty of styles and designs to suit your home. There is nothing better than cuddling up with a crackling fireplace on a cold winter night in southeast NY.
A wood stove can help reduce your energy bills. It's also a good choice when you reside in a smoke control zone (most of London and many major cities are).
Stoves can be utilized as a primary heating source or to complement your existing heating system. The amount of heat they generate is contingent on the size and air flow of the room. If you are planning to make use of your stove to heat your home, you must consider the quality and type of logs you buy.
Locally sourced wood can help you cut your expenses while also reducing the carbon footprint of your stove. However splitting, stacking and dragging Suggested Browsing can be lengthy and back ache if you don't have the right equipment. This is the reason why a lot of people choose to have log burners in their home as a more efficient method of gathering cutting, storing and chopping wood for their heating needs.
Most modern wood stoves are designed to be a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open fires. They must comply with government emission regulations and have a catalytic combustion system which allows the wood to burn for longer, start the combustion at lower temperatures and reduces pollution.
You will still need to maintain your stove on a regular basis. This includes cleaning the glass door, examining your chimney and flue, emptying the ash from the bottom, and ensuring there is enough dry wood logs to power the stove. But, these requirements for maintenance are lower than what you'd need to pay for energy to run your heating system.
One of the biggest downsides to having a wood stove is that it presents the risk of injury to children and pets who may wander too close to the flames. A stray spark could cause burns if it touches the flames or the glass of your stove. If you have children or pets we strongly recommend putting up an extra safety gate to your fireplace and keeping them away from the fire.
Aesthetics
Wood burning stoves can bring a lovely ambiance to any room. They can become the focal point in the room when decorated with a stunning mantel. A masonry fireplace made using bricks, stacked stone and veneers can be stunning. Freestanding stoves are another option for homeowners looking to find a style and cost that fits their home.
Clean the chimney regularly to remove any particulates. These particulates are dangerous because they can re-ignite, causing fires. They also can block the chimney, which is hazardous and leads to carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, the regular use of fireplaces demands a constant supply of logs. This can be expensive and time consuming to maintain.
Stoves do not need to be cleaned or swept as frequently as fireplaces. This saves homeowners time and money, as well as removing the necessity of a fireplace liner. Stoves do not produce as much carbon monoxide as fireplaces. They only produce a small amount, which is then pushed out into the atmosphere by hot gases.
Wood stoves have a closed combustion chamber, so sparks don't pose the same risk to children and pets that fireplaces do. However, it is recommended to install screens or doors for stoves and fireplaces since sparks could still fly from the flame and cause injury and property damage. Stoves should also be kept at a specific distance from any combustible materials, like wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has set emission standards that restrict the amount of air pollution a new stove is allowed to generate per hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be cleaned once each year to ensure they are in good working order and do not have cracks. In addition, a chimney liner should be installed to make sure that the flue is vented properly.
A wood stove offers many environmental benefits. Wood is a renewable, eco-friendly source of energy that can be grown and harvested within a reasonable amount of time. Oak, hickory and cherry are just a few types of trees that can be used for firewood. The process of cutting the wood down and making it into firewood takes just 20-30 years. It's also a sustainable resource because after the tree is cut down, it can be planted again.