Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves have an elegant, modern look that complements a wide variety of home designs. They are a potent source of heat and radiate heat throughout the space.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified for their efficiency in heating and less particle emissions. These efficiencies can be increased by using the air controls properly.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are an excellent source of heat that can be used to supplement your current heating system. antique wood burning stove are just as efficient as furnaces or oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are designed to extract the most heat out of each piece of wood that is burned. This means you don't have to buy the same amount of wood and can have a warm fire all through winter.
Stoves that have been certified by the EPA burn extremely cleanly and reduce emissions and waste by burning for longer and using less fuel. This is in contrast with older fireplaces which utilize open flames or burning. They waste fuel, emit dust and pollute the air, causing contamination of your home.
The EPA certification for your wood stove can ensure that it complies with the highest safety and efficiency standards. You can also get tax credits for the purchase of a stove that is approved. This can help you save money and reduce your expenses for energy.
A wood stove can help you cut out the big energy companies and any monopolies they may have in your region, freeing you from their erratic prices for gas and electricity. Although you'll need to pay for the wood however, the price fluctuations will be less than what you would encounter if you were to rely on a utility company.
Another benefit of heating your home using a wood stove is that it works well in power outages. You can keep your home warm if the power goes off during a snowstorm by using the wood stove to heat your living space and kitchen. In some cases the chimney on the wood stove could be used to release hot water through the wall to a hot-water tank inside your home for more heat.
If your wood-burning stove isn't properly insulated it may be leaking heat from the room and causing drafts within the home. This problem is easily fixed by adding an insulated liner for your wood-burning stove. This will not only help you save energy, but it will improve the longevity of your stove as it stops heat from escaping through the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves can be an excellent option to save energy while staying warm. However, they also produce lots of soot. It is essential to maintain a clean stove in order to ensure your home is safe and healthy. It is recommended to clean your stove at least once per week, and your chimney at least once per year. Keeping your stove clean will ensure that it has adequate air flow and is safer to use.
Cleaning out the ash pan is the first step towards cleaning your stove. The ashes can be emptied into a dustpan, then disposed of in a noncombustible bin or bag. If your fireplace has andirons or grates, you can clean them using a brush and broom, and then dispose of the ashes the same manner. After that, clean your stove's front and any other surfaces you wish to clean using a soft cloth. It is also an opportunity to clean the ash tray or line it with new liners, which are readily available at your local hardware store.
After cleaning your stove, you will have to get rid of any creosote remaining on the walls of your fireplace. This can be done using a broom with a hard-bristled handle, starting as high up as you can before moving downwards. You can also use a vacuum cleaner attachment with hard bristles to remove the loose soot.
If needed, you must also remove any obstructions from your chimney. This could be twigs, branches, leaves, fruit or even nesting materials of small animals (which are known to nest in stove pipes and chimneys!). Depending the location you live in your chimney may be prone to debris from the wind such as leaves or sand.
It is also recommended to have your chimney examined at least once a year, and that you replace your catalytic filters every 4 to 5 years, and having the chimney professionally cleaned if needed. These routine tasks can help prevent dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide and flames from escaping your home.
Convenience
A wood-burning stove offers warmth and a cozy atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces can't compete with. There are many styles and designs to pick from, whether they're freestanding or built into a wall. There is nothing better than snuggling into a cozy fireplace on a cold winter night in southeast NY.
A wood stove can help you reduce your energy bills. It's a great alternative if you live in an area that is smoke-free (most of London, and many other major cities).
Stoves can be utilized as a primary heating source or to supplement your current heating system. The amount of heat they generate is contingent on the dimensions of the room, the speed at which the fire burns, and how much air flow is around it. If you're planning on using your stove as a primary source of heat, it is important to think about the type and quality of the logs you purchase.
The purchase of wood from local sources is a great way to cut your expenses and decrease the carbon footprint of your stove. Cutting, stacking and hauling logs can be an exhausting and physically demanding task if you do not have the proper equipment. Many people opt for an electric log heater in their home to avoid the burden of chopping, gathering and storing wood.
Modern wood stoves are more efficient and green than traditional open fires. This means that they need to meet the requirements of the government on emissions and have catalytic combustor that aids in keeping the wood burning longer and starts the combustion at a lower temperature and cuts down on pollution.
You'll still need to maintain your stove regularly. This includes cleaning the glass door, inspecting your chimney and flue as well as emptying the ash out of the bottom, and ensuring there are enough dry wood logs to power the stove. These requirements for maintenance are less than the energy required to run your heating system.
One of the biggest downsides of having wood stoves is that it poses an issue of safety for pets and children who get too close to the flames. A stray spark could burn them if they touch the flames or the glass of your stove. We recommend installing a security gate on your fireplace to keep children and pets away from the flame.
Aesthetics
Wood burning stoves can add a lovely ambiance to any room. When adorned with an elegant mantle and gorgeous tiling, they become the centerpiece of any living space. A masonry fireplace made with bricks, stacked stones and veneers can be amazing. Freestanding stoves are an alternative for homeowners who want to discover a style and a price that fits their home.
Fireplaces need to be swept regularly to remove any particulates that are lodged in the chimney. These particles pose a risk because they can re-ignite, causing fires. They also can clog the chimney which is dangerous and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular fireplace use requires a continuous supply. This is time-consuming and costly to maintain.
Stoves don't need to be cleaned or swept as often as fireplaces. This saves the homeowner both time and money, in addition to eliminating the necessity for a fireplace liner. Additionally, stoves do not produce the same poisoning of carbon monoxide as fireplaces. They only produce a small amount, which is pushed out into the atmosphere by hot gases.
A wood stove has a closed combustion chamber, which means sparks aren't as much of a hazard for pets and children as fireplaces are. Nevertheless, it is recommended to install screens or doors for both fireplaces and stoves because sparks can still erupt out of the flame and cause injuries and property damage. Additionally, stoves should be kept away from any combustible materials such as wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has set emissions standards that limit how much pollution a new stove can produce in an hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be swept once a year to ensure they are in good working order and do not have cracks. Additionally a chimney liner needs to be installed to ensure the flue is properly vented.
A wood stove comes with many environmental benefits. Wood is a renewable and green 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 as firewood. The process of cutting down the wood and making it into firewood takes just 20-30 years. It is also a renewable resource since the tree can be replanted once it has been cut down.