20 Questions You Must Always Be Asking About Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves Before You Decide To Purchase It
Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves
Wood stoves are elegant and contemporary, and they can be used to complement a variety home styles. They're a great source of heat that radiates heat throughout the entire space.
Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified with high efficiency in heating and lower particle emissions. By operating the air controls you can improve efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
Wood stoves are a great source of heat that can be used to enhance your heating system. Some models are as efficient as furnaces and oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are engineered to extract the maximum heat out of each piece of wood that is burned. This means you don't have to purchase as much firewood and can enjoy the warmth of a fire throughout winter.
Stoves that have been endorsed by the EPA burn cleanly and reduce waste and emission by burning for longer and using less fuel. This is different from older fireplaces that make use of open flames or combustion. They waste fuel, emit dust and pollute the air, causing contamination in your home.
The EPA certification of your wood stove assures that it meets strict standards for safety and efficiency. You can also claim tax credits for the purchase of a stove with EPA certification. This can help you save money and cut down on expenses for energy.
A wood stove can help you eliminate the major energy companies as well as any monopolies they have in your area, freeing you from their erratic prices for electricity and gas. Although you will still need to pay for wood, the price fluctuations should be less than those that you would encounter in the event of relying on a utility provider.
A wood stove can also be used to provide warmth to your home in the event of power outages. If the power goes out during an icy storm, you can keep your home warm by using a wood-burning stove to generate heat for your kitchen and living areas. In some instances the chimney of the stove can be used to release hot water through the wall to a hot water tank inside your home to provide additional heat.
If your wood-burning fireplace isn't properly insulated, you could lose heat and cause drafts. This issue is easily fixed by adding an insulated liner for your wood-burning stove. This will not only help you save energy, but will 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 generate a lot soot. Cleaning your stove is essential to keep your home safe and healthy. To do this, you must clean your stove every week and your chimney at least once per year. Keep your stove clean to ensure that it has the proper air flow. This will also make it safer to use.
The ash pan must be cleaned out. mini wood stoves fireplacesandstove.com is the first step in cleaning your stove. This is accomplished by scooping up the ashes into a dish and putting them in a non-combustible trash bag or bin. If your fireplace has a andirons grate or grate you can clean them by using a broom and a brush and then dispose of them the same way. Then, clean your stove's front and any other surfaces you want to clean with a soft cloth. You could also take this opportunity to clean the ash tray or line it with new liners which are readily available at your local hardware store.
Once your stove is cleaned, the next step is to sweep away any remaining creosote on the fireplace's walls. This is best done with a hard-bristled broom, starting as high up as you can before working your way down. You can also use a vacuum cleaner attachment with bristles made of hard material to get rid of the sooty residue.
If you are able to, also remove any obstructions from your chimney. 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 the location you live in your chimney may be susceptible to wind-blown debris such as leaves or sand.
It is recommended to have your chimney inspected each year and to change your catalytic filters every 1-4 years. It is also recommended to get your chimney cleaned professionally when necessary. These regular tasks can help to prevent dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide and flames from escaping your home.
Convenience
A wood-burning stove offers warmth and a cosy atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces can't beat. There are a myriad of styles and designs to pick from, whether they're freestanding or integrated into an existing wall. There's nothing better than curling into a cozy 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 also a great option when you reside in a smoke control zone (most of London and a lot of major cities are).
Stoves can be utilized as a primary heating source or to complement your existing heating system. The amount of heat they provide is dependent on the size of the room, how quickly the fire burns and the amount of air flow around it. If you intend to use your stove to heat your home, you must consider the quality and type of logs you buy.
Locally sourced wood is an excellent way to reduce your costs and reduce the carbon footprint of your stove. However splitting, stacking, and hauling logs can be lengthy and back breaking task when you don't have the right equipment. This is why a lot of homeowners opt to install a log burner in their homes as a efficient method of gathering, chopping and storing wood for heating needs.
Modern wood stoves are designed to be an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional open fires. They must be in compliance with government emission regulations and have a catalytic combustion system that allows the wood to burn for longer, starts combustion at lower temperatures and reduces pollution.
You will still need to maintain your stove on a regular basis. This includes cleaning the glass door, examining your flue and chimney, emptying the ash from the bottom, and ensuring there is enough dry wood logs to fuel the stove. These requirements for maintenance are less than the energy costs to run your heating system.
A wood stove is dangerous for children and pets, who may get too close to the fire. If they touch the fire or the glass door of your stove, they could be burned by an ember that has escaped. If you have pets or children we strongly recommend putting up a safety gate to your fireplace and keeping your pets away from the fire.
Aesthetics
Wood burning stoves can provide a lovely ambiance to any room. They become the focal point of the room when decorated with a stunning mantle. A masonry fireplace built with bricks, stone and veneer can be breathtaking in its design. Alternatively, freestanding stoves offer many options for homeowners looking to find a style that fits their space and budget.
Regularly clean the chimney to get rid of any particles. These particulates can re-ignite and cause fires that are dangerous. They also can clog the chimney, which is dangerous and causes carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, the regular use of fireplaces requires an ongoing supply of wood. This can be costly and time-consuming to maintain.
Stoves don't need to be swept or cleaned as often as fireplaces. This saves homeowners time and money, as well as eliminating the need for a chimney liner. Stoves don't produce more carbon monoxide than fireplaces. They only produce a tiny amount of carbon monoxide which is released into the atmosphere by hot gases as the fire heats up.
Wood stoves have a sealed combustion chamber, so sparks don't pose the same risk to children and pets as fireplaces do. However, it is recommended to install screens or doors for both fireplaces and stoves since sparks could still fly out of the fire and cause injuries or property damage. Additionally, stoves should be kept away from any combustible materials such as wallpaper and plasterboard.
The EPA has set emission standards that limit the amount of pollution a new stove will produce per hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be swept at least once each year to ensure they are in good working order and do not have any cracks. In addition a chimney liner needs to be installed to make sure that the flue vents properly.
The advantages of a green wood stove are many. Wood is a renewable and eco-friendly source of energy that can be harvested and grown within a reasonable period of time. Hickory, cherry, and oak are just a few kinds of trees that can be used to make firewood. The process of cutting the wood down and turning it into firewood can take just 20-30 years. It is also a renewable resource because the tree can be replanted once it has been cut down.