The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Wood Burning Stoves
Wood Burning Stoves Near Me
Wood stoves can be a stunning and efficient method to heat your home. When buying a new stove there are some things to think about. This includes EPA-certified energy efficiency, price and maintenance requirements.
Avoid becoming "number-bound" and basing your decision on a specific rating or BTU output. You should also take into consideration aesthetics, recommendations by an established retailer, and customer feedback.
Cost
Wood stoves are a chic and elegant look to any house. They come in a wide selection of styles and colors to complement any decor. These stoves are also energy efficient and economical, providing an alternative to expensive heating systems. There are several aspects to take into consideration before buying an all-new wood burning stove. Included in this are the initial price along with installation costs, as well as any extras, such as chimney liner.
The cost of the stove is determined by the type and size that you pick. You may be able to find a freestanding wood stove for under 700 dollars. The stove features a huge viewfinder which is kept clean by an airwashing system that is powerful. It is multi-fuel, which means you can burn different fuels.
Noncatalytic wood stoves are less expensive than catalytic models, however they are more difficult to ignite and require more fuel to produce the same amount of heat. They can also release more particulate matter into the air than catalytic stoves. Despite these limitations, the noncatalytic model is a reasonable option for many consumers.
Pellet stoves are another popular alternative to traditional wood burning stoves. They work in a similar method, but they utilize smaller pellets of wood or recycled materials to create the heat and fire. They are easier to maintain than wood stoves, but they don't have as much warmth.
You'll have to consider the expense of installing an exhaust system before you decide on a wood stove or pellet. Some wood stoves require an outside combustion air intake as well as venting systems that connect with chimney. It is possible to have your wood stove inspected by local building inspectors depending on the location you live in and the building codes that are in force in your area.
Installing a wood stove inside an existing fireplace will cost less. You'll need to install a chimney liner, and you may have to employ someone to clean the chimney periodically. Additionally, a freestanding wood stove cannot be able to reach all rooms of a home with multiple floors, so you will need to install radiators in other areas to supplement the heat.
Energy Efficiency
As the cost of electricity and gas is rising many homeowners are searching for alternative methods of heating their homes. Wood stoves offer a cost-effective environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating systems. They also burn cleanly, which decreases the amount of pollution that is in the air.
Modern wood burning stoves boast the highest energy efficiency, which means that they generate more heat for your home by using less fuel. This is due to the fact that modern wood burner wood burning stove uk burning stoves have smaller combustion chambers compared to older models. They also utilize catalytic combustor, which helps to burn fuel more efficiently. They also emit less harmful emissions which is important when you live in an zone where stricter standards for air quality are required.
Log burners are also environmentally friendly because they let you control the amount of air provided to your fire. This allows it to burn at a lower temperature for a longer time. This can help reduce the amount of smoke produced by the fire and also stop the formation of flammable creosote in your chimney.
Burning a variety different types of wood, such as reclaimed and scrap wood, will result in a more efficient fuel mixture that will decrease the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the fire. You can also burn unneeded wood that was used up during building projects. You can save money on firewood by doing this.
Wood is a carbon-neutral fuel due to its renewable resource. The trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and release it upon burning, thereby creating the cycle of life. By sourcing local wood you can also support the local economy while reducing your environmental footprint.
Another benefit of a wood-burning stove is that it can provide a back-up source of heat in case an outage in power. You can keep your house warm for a few days if you store enough logs. You can make use of your stove to cook and heat water.
Environmental Impact
Burning a wood stove may cause harm to the environment and your health, depending on how well it's done and what kind of wood you use. The burning of wood releases dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and fine particulates called PM (particulate matter). The PM in the smoke is composed of a range of harmful substances that include black carbon, tar, and soot. These pollutants are known to cause range of health issues such as heart disease and asthma.
The emissions from wood burning stoves can be detrimental to the environment and health. In addition burning wood can result in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a significant source of VOCs in the indoor air. VOCs, a type of pollution have been linked to a number of health problems including headaches and irritation of the eyes.
VOCs can cause harm to the lungs, respiratory system and circulatory systems. They can also contribute to numerous environmental problems such as erosion of soil and loss of biodiversity as well as water quality. In some regions, the concentrations of VOCs in wood smoke could exceed federally enforceable standards.
According to a report from Undark five states have offered incentives for replacing older wood-burning appliances with EPA certified models. However, a majority of these appliances only offer slight improvements over the previous models. They are also expensive and require electricity to power the controls, fans and pellet feeders.
Therefore, some environmental agencies have begun to eliminate incentives to promote new wood stoves in favor of encouraging people to switch over to other sources of heat. The State of Oregon for example requires homeowners to get rid of non-certified wood-burning appliances and encourages them to switch to heat pump.
Wood stoves are more efficient in energy use than other heating methods like electric or gas furnaces. They produce more heat from less wood than their electric or gas counterparts, which makes them a sustainable and affordable choice for heating homes. However, they must be regularly inspected and maintained to cut down on the amount of fuel needed and improve efficiency. For instance, cleaning out unneeded hoppers and feed systems at the end of the season can reduce rust and ensure that the stove is ready to go again in the fall. Additionally, regular cleaning of the flue vents on your stove will stop the buildup of flammable creosote.
Safety
Wood-burning stoves are a cozy alternative to heating however, they also pose dangers to fire that could threaten your family's health. Fires can cause smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other serious issues. You can protect your home and family members by taking the proper safety precautions.
Make sure that the stove is installed and vented properly. A certified professional should put in your chimney, flue pipe and the connectors. The chimney should be at least three feet above any objects that could spark. This includes trees that are overhanging or adjacent buildings. Install smoke and CO detectors in every bedroom and on each level of the home. Connect them all together so that they sound in the event that one goes off. Replace the batteries and test your alarms on a regular basis. Keep combustibles, like garbage, paper plastics, plastics, and other materials away from your stove and do not burn them near or on it.
Don't leave a wood burning stove unattended. This is especially true at night. If the woodburning stove is in a space that has sleeping areas, turn off the heat source and open windows before you go to bed. This will stop smoke from the wood stove from entering the room and cause CO poisoning.
Install an air-cleaning system if you are planning to use a wood stove. These systems help to capture and neutralize volatile organic compounds from the exhaust stream before it leaves the fireplace. You should also keep your stove clean and keep the grate and draft louvers free of ash and other debris.
Wood smoke can be harmful to everyone but it is particularly harmful to children and adults with weakened lungs. It can also trigger respiratory infections and asthma. Avoid using the wood stove on days when levels of pollution are high. The EPA and individual states provide daily reports on air quality.
Certain new wood stoves are more efficient than old ones, however they release large quantities of pollution into the atmosphere. To minimize your exposure to pollution make sure you choose a stove that is EPA-certified to be more than 72 percent efficient. Also, only burn dry, well-seasoned wood. This type of wood creates less toxins and has more heat than green, fresh wood.