You've Forgotten Wood Burning Stoves: 10 Reasons Why You No Longer Need It

Wood Burning Stoves Near Me Wood stoves are a beautiful and efficient way to heat your home. When buying a new stove there are some things to consider. Included in this are EPA-certified energy efficiency and cost, as well the maintenance requirements. Be careful not to become “number bound” and base your decision solely on a specific rating or BTU output. Also, consider aesthetics, recommendations from a trusted dealer and feedback from customers. Cost Wood stoves can provide an elegant, stylish look to any home. They come in a vast range of colors and styles to complement any style. These stoves are also energy efficient and cost effective, providing an alternative to expensive heating systems. However there are a few factors to consider when buying a new wood stove. This includes the initial cost, installation costs, and additional items such as chimney liner. The cost of a wood stove is contingent on the model and size you choose. You might be able to find a freestanding wood burner for under 700 dollars. The stove has large viewing windows, that is kept clean by a powerful airwash system. It also has multi-fuel capabilities that means it can burn a variety of fuels. Noncatalytic woodstoves are cheaper than catalytic ones, but they are more difficult to ignite. They also require more fuel in order to produce the same heat. They can also release more particulate matter into the air than catalytic stoves. Despite these disadvantages the noncatalytic stove is an ideal choice for many users. Pellet stoves are another well-known alternative to traditional wood burning stoves . They function in a similar way, but use smaller wood pellets or recycled materials to generate the fire and warmth. They are easier to maintain, but don't generate the same amount of heat. You'll have to consider the expense of installing an exhaust system before you decide on wood or pellet stove. Certain stoves for wood require an outside combustion air intake, while others require venting systems that connect with a chimney. Depending on where you live and the building codes in your area, you might require getting your stove approved by an inspector from your local building department. Installing a wood stove in an existing fireplace will cost less. You'll have to install a chimney liner, and you may need hire a professional to clean the chimney regularly. A freestanding wood stove won't provide all the heat needed in a multi-story residence which is why you'll need to install radiators in order to supplement. Energy Efficiency Many homeowners are seeking alternatives to traditional heating systems since the cost of electricity and natural gas continues to increase. Wood stoves are an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating systems. They also burn cleanly, which reduces the amount of pollution that is in the air. Modern wood-burning stoves are extremely energy efficient, which means they produce more heat in your home while using less fuel. This is due to a number of factors, such as the fact that they have smaller combustion chambers than older models. They also utilize a catalytic combustor that helps to burn fuel more efficiently. They also emit less harmful emissions, which can be important for those living in an region where stricter standards for air quality are required. Log burners are also environmentally friendly because they allow you to limit the amount of air supplied to your fire. This permits it to burn at a lower heat for a longer period of time. This reduces the amount of smoke that is produced by the fireplace and prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote in your chimney. Burning various kinds of wood, including scrap and reclaimed wood will result in a more efficient fuel mixture, which will reduce the amount of waste gases generated by the fire. You can even collect unwanted timber that has been removed from construction projects and burn it in your stove. You can save money on firewood by doing this. As a renewable resource wood is a carbon-neutral fuel source. The trees absorb carbon dioxide as they expand and release it upon burning, creating an endless cycle of life. By using local wood sources, you will also help the local economy and reduce the environmental impact of your business. A wood-burning fireplace can also be used as an emergency source of heat if there is a power loss. You can keep your house warm for a long time when you have enough logs. You can also use your stove to heat water and cook food. Environmental Impact Depending on the wood used and how efficiently it is burned, using a wood stove can result in negative health and environmental impacts. The burning of wood releases harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and fine particles called PM (particulate material). The PM in the smoke is composed of a range of dangerous substances, including black carbon, tar and soot. These pollutants have been linked to a number of health issues which include respiratory and heart diseases. The emissions released by wood burning stoves contribute to global warming, which negatively impacts the environment as well as the health of people. Wood burning can also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are one of the major sources of VOCs inside. VOCs are a type of pollutant that has been linked to several health problems, including headaches and eye irritation. VOCs are produced by incomplete combustion of wood. They can cause damage to the respiratory tract, lungs and circulatory system. They also trigger a range of other environmental issues, including the loss of biodiversity as well as water quality and soil erosion. In certain areas, the levels of VOCs found in wood smoke could exceed federally enforced standards. According to a report by Undark five states have offered incentives to replace old wood-burning stoves by EPA-certified models. However, a lot of these appliances are only marginally better than the older models. Additionally, they are costly and require electricity to run control panels, fans, and pellet feeders. As a result, certain environmental organizations are beginning to drop incentives to promote new wood stoves and focus on enticing people to switch to other heat sources. The State of Oregon for example requires homeowners to take down non-certified wood-burning appliances and encourages homeowners to switch to heat pumps. Wood stoves are energy efficient compared to other heating methods, like electric or gas furnaces. These stoves produce a greater amount of heat with less wood than their gas or electric counterparts. They are therefore more sustainable and a cheaper choice for home heating. They must be regularly inspected and maintained to reduce fuel consumption and increase efficiency. By removing the hoppers and feed system at the end season, you can reduce the risk of rust and make sure that the stove is ready to go into operation in the autumn. Regular cleaning of the stove's chimney vent can also stop the buildup of flammable materials. Safety Wood-burning stoves are a great alternative to heat, but they can be risky for the safety of your family. Smoke inhalation is a risk for fires and carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious issues. You can safeguard your family and home by taking the appropriate safety precautions. Ensure your stove is properly installed and venting. A certified professional should install your chimney, flue pipe, and the connectors. The chimney should be at least three feet above any objects which could cause fire. This includes overhanging trees or buildings adjacent to them. Install CO and smoke detectors outside every bedroom and on each level of the house. Connect them all together so that they sound in the event that one is activated. Replace batteries and check your alarms on a regular basis. Keep combustibles, like paper, garbage plastics, plastics and so on, away from your stove and don't burn them near or on it. Do not leave a wood-burning stove unattended, especially overnight. If you are using a wood-burning appliance in a sleeping area switch off the heat and open the windows prior to going to go to bed. This will stop wood smoke from entering your room and creating CO poisoning. If you're planning to make use of a wood-burning stove, consider installing an air-cleaning system. These systems neutralize and capture volatile organic compounds in the exhaust stream before it exits the fireplace. You should also keep your stove clean and keep the draft louvers clear of ash and debris. Wood smoke can be hazardous to everyone however it is especially hazardous for children and adults with weakened lungs. It can also trigger asthma and respiratory infections. Avoid using a wood stove on days when air pollution levels are high. The EPA and individual states provide daily reports on air quality. The latest wood stoves might be more efficient than older models, but they still emit large amounts of pollutants into the air. Select a stove that has been certified by the EPA as being over 72 percent efficient, to reduce your exposure. Burn only dry, seasoned wood. This kind of wood generates more heat and less toxins than fresh green wood.