Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are elegant and contemporary, and they complement a variety of home styles. They are a potent heating source and provide radiant heat throughout the room.
Modern wood-burning stoves are EPA certified for their high efficiency in heating and reduced particle emissions. These efficiency levels can be increased by using the air controls properly.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are a fantastic source of heat that can be used to supplement your heating system. They are also extremely efficient heaters with some models being nearly as efficient as your furnace or oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are designed to maximize the heat produced by each piece of wood. This means that you don't need to purchase as much wood and can enjoy a cozy fire all through winter.
Stoves that have been endorsed by the EPA burn very cleanly, and reduce emissions and waste by burning longer and using less fuel. This is different from older fireplaces which use open flames or combustion. These waste fuel, pollute air and cause dust contamination of your home.
The EPA certification of your wood stove ensures that it is in compliance with strict standards for safety and efficiency. You may also be eligible for tax-free purchase of a stove with EPA certification. This will help you save money and reduce your energy costs.
Wood stoves can help you save the high costs of electricity and gas that are charged by big energy companies. You'll still have to pay for wood however, the price fluctuation is likely to be less severe than the price hikes you'd face when you rely on the utility company.
Another benefit of heating your home with a wood stove is that it works well in power outages. If power goes out during an icy storm, you can keep your home warm with wood-burning stoves to create heat for your kitchen and living spaces. In some instances, the chimney on the stove can be used to vent hot water through the wall to a hot water tank inside your home for more warmth.
If your wood-burning stove isn't insulated it could be leaking heat from the room and creating drafts within the home. You can fix this issue by putting in an lined wood stove that is insulated to your fireplace. This will not only help you save energy, but also extend the life of your stove by preventing heat from escaping the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves are an excellent option to conserve energy while remaining warm. However, they produce plenty of soot. Keeping a clean stove is important to keep your home safe and healthy. To do this, you must clean your stove every week and your chimney at least once a year. Cleaning your stove will ensure that there is adequate air flow and is safer to use.
The ash pan must be cleaned out. This is the first step towards cleaning your stove. This is accomplished by dumping the ashes into a dustpan and discarding them in an uncombustible trash bag or bin. If your fireplace has a andirons or grates, you can clean them using brushes and brooms and dispose of the ashes in the same manner. Afterward, wipe down the stove's front as well as any other surfaces you wish to clean with a soft cloth. You could also take the occasion to clean your ash trays or reline it with new liners available at the local hardware store.
After your stove has been cleaned The next step is to sweep away any remaining creosote on the fireplace's walls. You can use a broom with hard bristles to do this. Start as high as you can and gradually lower. If you own a vacuum cleaner with a hard-bristled attachment it is possible to use this to remove the soot that is loose.
You should also clean out any obstructions in your chimney, in the event that it is necessary. This could be twigs, branches, fruits, leaves or even nesting materials for small animals. (These animals are known to build nests inside stove pipes and chimneys!) Depending on where you live your chimney could be prone to the blowing of debris like leaves or sand.
It is also recommended to have your chimney inspected every year, and to replace your catalytic filters every 1-4 years. It is also recommended that you have the chimney cleaned professionally should it be required. These routine tasks can help to prevent the spread of dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide from getting into your home.
Convenience
Wood burning stoves provide warmth and a warm ambience that electric or gas fireplaces can't match. It can be freestanding or installed into the wall, there are many designs and styles to fit your home. There is nothing better than snuggling into a cozy fireplace on the cold winter nights in southeast NY.
Having a wood stove can help you reduce your energy costs. It's an excellent option if you live in an area that is smoke-free (most of London and other major cities).
Stoves can be utilized as a primary heating source or to complement your heating system. The amount of heat they generate is contingent on the size and air flow of the room. If you're planning to use your stove as your primary source of heat it is crucial to think about the kind and quality of the logs you buy.
Locally sourced wood is an excellent way to reduce costs and lower the carbon footprint of your stove. The process of splitting, stacking, and hauling logs can be physically and time-consuming task if you don't have the proper equipment. Many homeowners opt for the use of a log heater at their homes to avoid the frustration of collecting, chopping and storage of wood.
The majority of modern wood stoves are designed to be more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional open-fires. They must comply with government emission regulations and have an engineered combustion system that helps keep the wood burning for longer, and starts the combustion at lower temperatures and reduces pollutants.
You'll still have to maintain your stove on a regular basis. This includes emptying all ash from the bottom of the stove, having your flue and chimney inspected, cleaning the glass door and ensuring there are enough dry logs to fuel it. However, these maintenance requirements are much less than what you need to spend on energy to operate your heating system.
One of the major disadvantages of having a wood stove is that it poses a safety issue for children and pets who may be too close to the flames. A stray ember can cause burns if it touches the glass or flames 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
Fireplaces with wood burning stoves provide a beautiful ambiance to the room. When adorned with a beautiful mantel and stunning tiling, they become the centerpiece of any living space. A masonry fireplace built with bricks, stacked stone and veneers can be beautiful in its appearance. Alternatively, freestanding stoves offer many options for homeowners looking to find the perfect style for their home and budget.
Fireplaces need to be swept regularly to remove any particulates that are lodged in the chimney. fireplaces wood burning stoves are dangerous as they are able to ignite again, leading to fires. They can also block the chimney, which is dangerous and may cause carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, regular use of fireplaces require an ongoing supply of wood. This can be costly and time consuming to maintain.
Stoves don't have to be cleaned or swept as frequently as fireplaces. This saves homeowners time and money, while also eliminating the need for a chimney liner. In addition, stoves don't produce the same carbon monoxide poisoning as fireplaces do. They produce only a small amount, which is pushed out into the air by hot gasses.
Wood stoves have a closed combustion chamber so sparks do not pose the same risk to children and pets as fireplaces do. It is recommended that both fireplaces and wood stoves have screens or doors installed, as sparks can still fly from the fire 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 emission standards that limit the amount of pollution that a new stove is permitted to create per hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be cleaned once a year to ensure they are in good working order and do not have cracks. A chimney liner is also recommended to ensure that the flue is vented properly.
The environmental benefits of a wood stove are numerous. Wood is a renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy that can be grown and harvested within a reasonable period of time. The hickory, oak and cherry are just a few kinds of trees that can be used for firewood. The process of cutting the wood down and turning it into firewood takes about 20-30 years. It is also a renewable resource, because the tree can be planted again after it has been cut down.