Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are stylish and contemporary, and they are a perfect match for a variety of home styles. They are a potent heating source and can radiate heat throughout the room.
Modern wood burning stoves have been EPA certified for their efficiency in heating and less particle emissions. The efficiency can be improved by operating the air controls properly.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are a efficient source of heating and can be a great addition to your home's current heating system. They are also extremely efficient heaters with some models being almost as efficient as a furnace or oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are designed to maximize the heat produced by each piece of wood. This means you don't have to buy the same amount of wood and can enjoy a cozy fireplace all through winter.
Stoves that have been endorsed by the EPA burn very cleanly, and reduce waste and emission by burning longer and using less fuel. This is in contrast older fireplaces which use open flames and combustion that produce waste, pollute the air and cause dust to contaminate your home.
The EPA certification of your wood stove will guarantee that it is in compliance with strict safety and efficiency standards. It also permits you to get a tax credit on the purchase of a stove that is certified which can help you save money in addition to decreasing your energy costs.
A wood stove can help you eliminate the major energy companies as well as any monopolies they may have in your region, freeing you from their fluctuating costs for gas and electricity. You'll still be paying for wood however, the price fluctuations are likely to be less drastic than the price hikes you'd face when you depend on the utility company.
Another benefit of heating your home using wood stoves is that it works well in power outages. You can keep your home warm in the event that the power goes out during a snow storm by using the wood stove to heat your living and kitchen areas. In some cases the chimney of the wood stove can be used to release hot water through the wall to a hot-water tank in your home for even more heat.
If your wood-burning stove isn't properly insulated, it could be losing heat from the room and creating drafts inside the house. This issue is easily fixed by installing an insulated liner to your wood-burning stove. This will not only help you conserve energy, but also extend the life of your stove by stopping heat from getting out of the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves are an excellent way to save energy and stay warm, but they produce a lot of soot. Cleaning your stove is crucial to keep your home safe and healthy. To achieve this, you must clean your stove once a week and your chimney at least once per year. Cleaning your stove will ensure that there is adequate air flow and is safer to use.
Emptying the ash pan is the first step in cleaning your stove. This is done by dumping the ashes into a dustpan and putting them in a non-combustible trash bin or bin. If your fireplace is equipped with grates or andirons you can clean them using brushes and brooms and dispose of the ashes the same way. Then you can use a soft cloth to clean the front of your stove and any other surfaces that you'd like to clean. It is also an opportunity to clean the ash tray or re-line it with fresh liners, that are available at your local hardware store.
After cleaning your stove, you'll need to remove any creosote left on the walls of your fireplace. This is best done with a broom with a hard-bristled handle, starting as high up as you can and working downwards. You can also use the attachment of a vacuum cleaner that has bristles made of hard material to get rid of the loose soot.
It is also recommended to clear any obstructions in your chimney, if necessary. This could include twigs, leaves, branches or even the nesting materials of small animals (which are known to nest in stove pipes and chimneys!). Depending on where you live your chimney may be susceptible to wind-blown debris such as leaves or sand.
It is recommended that you have your chimney checked each year and to change your catalytic filters every 1-4 years. It is also recommended that you get your chimney cleaned professionally if necessary. These routine tasks can aid in preventing fires and dangerous fumes such as carbon monoxide from escaping your home.
Convenience
A wood-burning stove can provide warmth and a warm atmosphere that gas or electric fireplaces simply cannot match. There are many styles and designs to pick from, whether they're freestanding or built into a wall. There's no better feeling than sitting in front of a warm fire on a cold southeast NY winter night.
A wood stove can help you save money on your energy costs. It's a good option if you live in a smoke-free zone (most of London and a number of other major cities).
Stoves can be used as a primary heating source or to complement your heating system. wood stove furnace of heat they provide is dependent on the size of the room, the speed at which the fire is burning and the amount of air circulation around it. If you are planning to make use of your stove to heat your home, you must be aware of the quality and type of logs that you purchase.
The purchase of wood from local sources is an excellent way to reduce costs and lower the carbon footprint of your stove. However, splitting, stacking and hauling logs is lengthy and back ache in the absence of the equipment required. This is why a lot of people opt to install a log burner at their home as a more convenient alternative to gathering, chopping and storing wood for their heating requirements.
Most modern wood stoves are designed to be more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional open-fires. This means that they have to meet the requirements of the government on emissions, and they have a catalytic combustor which helps to keep the wood burning for longer and starts the combustion at a lower temperature and reduces the amount of pollution.
You'll still have to keep your stove in good condition. This includes cleaning the glass door, inspecting your chimney and flue, emptying the ash from the bottom, and making sure there are enough dry wood logs to fuel the stove. But, these requirements for maintenance are lower than what you'd have to pay for energy to operate your heating system.
One of the major disadvantages to having wood stoves is that it presents the risk of injury to children and pets who may wander too close to the flames. A stray ember could burn them if they touch the glass or flames of your stove. We recommend installing a security gate around your fireplace to keep pets and children away from the flame.
Aesthetics
Fireplaces with wood burning stoves create a beautiful ambiance to a room. They become the focal point of a room when they are outfitted with a stunning mantle. A fireplace made of bricks, stone and veneers can be breathtaking in its design. Freestanding stoves are an alternative for homeowners who want to find a style and price that fits their home.
Fireplaces must be cleaned frequently to remove dust and other particles from the chimney. These particles pose a risk because they can re-ignite, causing fires. They can also clog up the chimney, which is hazardous and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, regular use of fireplaces demands an ongoing supply of wood. This can be costly and time consuming to maintain.
Stoves don't need to be cleaned or swept as frequently as fireplaces. This can save homeowners time and money, as well as eliminating the need for a chimney liner. Stoves do not generate the same amount of carbon monoxide as fireplaces. They only release a small amount of carbon monoxide, which is pushed into the air by hot gases when the fire heats up.
A wood stove has a sealed combustion chamber, meaning sparks are not as much of a hazard for children and pets as fireplaces are. However, it is advised to install screens and/or doors for both fireplaces and stoves since sparks could still fly out of the fire and cause injuries or property damage. Stoves should also be kept at a certain distance from combustible substances like wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has established emission standards that restrict the amount of air pollution that a new stove is permitted to produce per hour. The EPA requires that chimneys are cleaned at least every year in order to ensure that they are in good condition and free of cracks. In addition, a chimney liner should be installed to ensure the flue is properly vented.
The environmental benefits of a wood stove are numerous. Wood is a renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy that can be harvested and grown within a reasonable period of time. The hickory, oak and cherry are just a few types of trees that can be used as firewood. The process of cutting the wood down and turning it into firewood takes only 20-30 years. It is also a resource that can be used again, because the tree can be replanted after it has been cut down.