Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are elegant modern style that matches a wide variety of home designs. They are a powerful source of heat that radiates heat throughout the entire room.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified and feature high heating efficiencies and reduced particle emissions. wood burners can be improved by operating the air controls properly.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are a great source of heat that can be used to enhance your current heating system. Moreover, they are very efficient heaters and some models are nearly as efficient as your furnace or oil-burning appliance. Modern stoves are designed to maximize the amount of heat produced by each piece of wood. This means that you don't have to buy more wood, and you can enjoy a warm fire all winter long.
Stoves that are certified by the EPA burn cleanly and reduce emissions and waste by burning for longer and using less fuel. This is in contrast to older fireplaces that use open flames and combustion, which waste fuel, pollute the air and cause dust to contaminate your home.
The EPA certification on your wood stove can ensure that it is in compliance with strict safety and efficiency standards. It also lets you claim a tax credit towards the purchase of a stove that meets the EPA standards that will help you save money in addition to reducing your energy costs.
Wood stoves can help you save the high prices of electricity and gas that are that energy companies charge. You'll still need to pay for your wood supply, but the price fluctuation is likely to be less pronounced than the price increases you'd have to endure when you rely on an energy company.
Another benefit of heating your home with a wood stove is that it can be used during power outages. You can keep your home warm in the event that the power goes off during a snowstorm by using a wood stove to heat your kitchen and living area. In certain situations you can utilize the chimney of the wood stove to vent hot water into a hot-water storage tank in your house for more heat.
If your wood-burning stove isn't insulated it could be leaking heat from the room and creating drafts in the house. You can easily solve this problem by putting in an insulation-proof wood stove liner to your fireplace. This will not only help you save energy, but also extend the life of your stove by stopping heat from leaving the chimney.
Cleanliness
Wood stoves can be an excellent option to save energy while staying warm. However, they generate lots of soot. Keeping a clean stove is crucial to ensure your home is safe and healthy. It is recommended to clean your stove at least once per week, and your chimney every year. Keep your stove clean to ensure that it has the proper air flow. It also makes it safer to use.
Emptying the ash pan is the first step in cleaning your stove. The ashes can be emptied into a trash can, and then placed in a non-combustible bin or bag. If your fireplace has grates or andirons you can clean them with brushes and brooms and dispose of the ashes the same way. Then you can use a soft cloth to wipe down the front of your stove as well as any other surfaces you'd like to wash. You can also use the occasion to clean your ash trays, or re-line with new liners available at your local hardware store.
After cleaning your stove, you'll have to get rid of any creosote that remains on the walls of your fireplace. This is best done with an broom that has a hard-bristled, beginning as high as you can and working downwards. You can also use an attachment for a vacuum cleaner with hard bristles to remove the loose soot.
You should also clean out any obstructions to your chimney, if necessary. This could include twigs branches, leaves, fruit or even nesting materials of small animals (which are known to nest in stove pipes and chimneys!). Your chimney could be susceptible to wind-blown materials such as leaves or sand, based on the location you live in.
It is recommended that you have your chimney checked every year and to replace your catalytic filters every 1-4 years. You should also have the chimney cleaned professionally should it be required. These regular chores will aid in preventing the spread of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide from entering your home.
Convenience
A wood-burning stove can provide warmth and a cozy atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces cannot beat. If it's freestanding or installed into the wall, there are many designs and styles that will fit your home. There is nothing better than curling up with a crackling fireplace on an icy winter night in the southeast of NY.
A wood stove can help you save money on your energy costs. It's a great option if you live in an area that is smoke-free (most of London and a number of other cities).
Stoves are an excellent option to heat your home. They can be used as a primary source for heating or as supplemental heating. The amount of heat that they produce depends on the size and the airflow of the room. If you intend to make use of your stove to heat your home, you must think about the quality and style of logs you purchase.
Locally-sourced wood can help you reduce your expenses while also reducing the carbon footprint of your stove. However, splitting, stacking and dragging logs around can be lengthy and back breaking task when you don't have the necessary equipment. Many people opt for the use of a log heater at their homes to avoid the frustration of collecting, chopping, and storing wood.
Most modern wood stoves are designed to be more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional open fires. This means they must to meet the requirements of the government on emissions, and they have catalytic combustor that helps to keep the wood burning for longer, starts combustion at a lower temperature, and reduces the amount of pollutant emissions.
You'll still need to maintain your stove on a regular basis. This includes removing out the ash that has been accumulated in the stove, having your flue and chimney inspected and cleaning the glass door, and making sure there are enough dry logs to fuel it. But, these requirements for maintenance are lower than what you'd have to pay for energy to operate your heating system.
A wood stove can be hazardous for pets and children who get too close to the fire. If they touch the fire or the glass door of your stove, they could be burned by a stray ember. If you have pets or children, we highly recommend adding an extra safety gate to your fireplace and keeping your pets away from the fire.
Aesthetics
Wood burning stoves can add a beautiful ambience to any room. They can become the focal point in an area when they are dressed up with a beautiful mantel. A masonry fireplace built with stacked stone, bricks and veneers can be stunning in its design. Alternatively, freestanding stoves offer many options for homeowners looking to find the perfect style for their budget and home.
Clean the chimney regularly to get rid of any particles. These particles can ignite again and cause fires to become dangerous. They can also block the chimney, which is hazardous and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular fireplace use requires a constant supply. This can be costly and time consuming to maintain.
Stoves aren't required to be cleaned or swept as often as fireplaces. This can save homeowners time and money, while also getting rid of the need 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 then pushed out into the air by hot gasses.
Wood stoves have a closed combustion chamber so sparks aren't a same risk to children and pets as fireplaces do. However, it is advised to install screens and/or doors for both fireplaces and stoves as sparks can still fly from the flame and cause injuries or property damage. Stoves should also be kept at a specific distance from any combustible materials, like wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has established emission standards that limit the amount of pollution that a new stove is permitted to create per hour. The EPA requires that chimneys be cleaned at least every year in order to ensure that they're in good shape and free of cracks. A chimney liner is recommended to ensure that the flue is vented correctly.
The benefits for the environment of a wood stove are numerous. Wood is a sustainable, renewable energy source that can be harvested and cultivated in a reasonable amount of time. The hickory, oak and cherry are just some of the varieties of trees that can be used for firewood. The process of cutting the wood down and turning it into firewood can take only 20-30 years. It is also a resource that can be used again, as the tree can be replanted after it has been cut down.