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Fireplaces Wood Burning Stoves Wood stoves have a classy, modern look that complements a wide variety of home designs. They're a great source of heat and radiate warmth throughout the entire room. Modern wood burning stoves are EPA certified for their high efficiency in heating and less particle emissions. These efficiency levels can be increased by using the air controls in a correct manner. Energy Efficiency Wood stoves use a very energy-efficient source of heat and can complement your home's current heating system. Some models are nearly as efficient as furnaces and oil-burning appliances. Modern stoves are designed to maximize the amount of heat produced by each piece of wood. This means you don't have to purchase as much wood and can have an ambiance of warmth throughout winter. Stoves certified by the EPA burn cleanly and reduce waste and emissions by keeping the fire burning longer and using less fuel. This is in contrast to older fireplaces that use open flames and combustion, which create waste of fuel, pollute air and can cause dust to contaminate your home. The EPA certification of your wood stove guarantees that it meets strict standards for safety and efficiency. You can also get a tax rebate for the purchase of an approved stove. This can help you save money and reduce your energy bills. Wood stoves can help you save the high prices of electricity and gas that are charged by large energy companies. Although you'll need to pay for wood but the price fluctuations should be lower than the ones you would face if you were to rely on a utility provider. A wood stove can also be used to heat your home during power outages. If the power goes out during a snowstorm, you can keep your home warm by using wood-burning stoves to create heat for your kitchen as well as living areas. In some cases you can utilize the chimney of the wood stove to vent hot water into a hot-water storage tank in your home for additional warmth. If your wood-burning stove isn't insulated it may be leaking heat from the room and causing drafts in the house. This issue can be solved by adding an insulated liner to your wood-burning stove. This will not only help you save energy, but will also increase the lifespan of your stove by stopping heat from leaving the chimney. Cleanliness Wood stoves are an excellent way to save energy and stay warm, but they do produce a lot of soot. Keeping a clean stove is essential to ensure that your home stays safe and healthy. To do this, you must clean your stove once a week and your chimney at least once per year. Keep your stove clean to ensure proper air flow. It will also make it safer to use. The first step to clean your stove is to empty the ash pan. This is accomplished by dumping the ashes into a pan and discarding them in a non-combustible trash bag or bin. If small wood burning stove is equipped with andirons or grates, clean them with a brush and broom, and then dispose of the ashes the same way. After that, clean the stove's front as well as any other surfaces you want to clean with a soft cloth. It is also an occasion to clean your ash tray or re-line it with fresh liners, that are 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 is best done with an broom that has a hard-bristled, beginning at the highest point you can before moving downwards. You can also use the attachment of a vacuum cleaner that has bristles made of hard material to get rid of the soot that has escaped. If you are able to, also remove any obstructions from your chimney. This could include twigs, branches, fruits, leaves or even nesting materials for small animals. (These animals are known to build nests inside stove pipes and chimneys!) Your chimney could be vulnerable to wind-blown materials such as leaves or sand, depending on where you live. It is also recommended that you have your chimney inspected at least once a year and change your catalytic filter every 4 to 5 years, and having the chimney professionally cleaned if needed. These regular chores will help prevent burning and harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide from getting into your home. Convenience A wood-burning stove offers warmth and a cosy atmosphere that electric or gas fireplaces cannot match. Whether free standing or built into the wall, there are a variety of designs and styles to fit your home. There's nothing better than curling up in front of a crackling fire on a cold southeast NY winter night. A wood stove can help you cut your energy costs. It's also a good option for those who reside in a smoke control zone (most of London and a lot of major cities are). Stoves can be used as a primary heating source or as a supplement to your current heating system. The amount of heat that they generate is contingent on the size and the airflow of the room. If you're considering using your stove as your primary source of heating, it is important to consider the type and quality of the logs you purchase. Buying locally sourced wood is a great way to cut costs and lower the carbon footprint of your stove. However splitting, stacking, and dragging logs around can be an extremely time-consuming and back ache when you don't have the equipment required. This is the reason why a lot of homeowners opt to install a log burner at their home as a more practical alternative to collecting cutting, storing and chopping wood for their heating requirements. Modern wood stoves are more efficient and green than traditional open fires. They must meet the emission standards of the government and include a catalytic combustion system that helps keep the wood burning for longer, and starts the combustion at lower temperatures, and reduces pollution. You'll still need to maintain your stove regularly. This includes emptying ash from the bottom of the stove, having your flue and chimney inspected, cleaning the glass door, and making sure there are enough dry logs to fuel it. However, these maintenance requirements are less than you would need to pay for energy to operate your heating system. A wood stove can be hazardous for pets and children, who may get too close to the fire. If they touch the flame or the glass door of your stove they could be smacked with fire by a stray ember. If you have children or pets, we highly recommend adding a safety gate for your fireplace and keeping your pets away from the fire. Aesthetics Fireplaces with wood burning stoves create an elegant ambiance to the room. They become the focal point in the room when decorated with a stunning mantel. A masonry fire place built using bricks, stacked stone and veneers can be stunning. Freestanding stoves are an alternative for homeowners looking to discover a style and a price that fits their home. Regularly clean the chimney to remove any particulates. These particles are dangerous as they can re-ignite, causing fires. They can also block the chimney, which is hazardous and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, regular use of fireplaces demands a constant supply of logs. This can be expensive and time consuming to maintain. Stoves don't have to be cleaned or swept as often as fireplaces. This can save homeowners time and money as well as eliminating the need for a chimney liner. Stoves don't produce as much carbon monoxide as fireplaces. They only produce a tiny amount, which is then pushed out into the atmosphere by hot gases. A wood stove has a sealed combustion chamber, so sparks aren't as big of a hazard for pets and children as fireplaces are. It is recommended that fireplaces as well as wood stoves have doors or screens installed, as sparks can still fly from the fire and cause injury and property damage. Stoves should be kept at a specific distance from combustible materials like wallpaper and plasterboard. The EPA has set emission standards that restrict the amount of air pollution that a new stove is permitted to create per hour. The EPA also requires that chimneys be cleaned once every year to ensure that they are in good condition and don't have any 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 an environmentally friendly renewable energy source that can be harvested and grown in a reasonable amount of time. Hickory, cherry, and oak are just a few kinds of trees that can be used to make firewood. The process of cutting down the wood and making it into firewood takes only 20-30 years. It is also a renewable resource, as the tree can be replanted after it has been cut down.