Factors to Consider Before Buying Wood Stove  

According to stats, more than 12 million individuals have upgraded their homes to include wood, pellet, electric, or gas stove. In homes with ineffective heating systems or rooms with chilly areas, energy-efficient stoves are a popular method to bring heat and charm. They are quickly becoming increasingly well-liked, largely because of their effectiveness.

What is a Wood Burner Stove?

The terms "log burners," "wood stoves," and "pellet stoves" all refer to the same object. A wood-burning stove is essentially a metal box with a wood-burning stove flue protruding from the top. Heat is produced by burning wood, which is put into the woodstove in various forms.
At the front of the woodstove are several major air vents or regulatory holes that may be opened and closed to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire. The user can now control the temperature. There are two air vents on certain versions, but just one on others.

Infrared heater Vs. Electric Fireplace; functioning

An infrared heater expels infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. Sun produces the same light in extreme summers. Infrared heaters have this type of heat through a special light bulb called quarts incandescent bulb. Thus, the heat spread all over the room to warm it up. While on the other hand, electric Fireplace release heat in the form of electric convection heat or electric resistance heat—this heat is produced as the result of heating the metallic element or coils. Then a connected fan blows the heat to the outside space.

Things to Look for while Buying Wood Burning Stove

1. Location

A wood-burning stove would look fantastic in a room where you, your family, or visitors would spend the most time, but if you don't have a fireplace, the common place to start is within your home's existing fireplace.
Choosing the proper location is crucial because wood stoves can serve as the main point of any room. People should be able to appreciate the sight of the flames while also feeling the warmth of the stove. Because a wood-burning stove will be installed as a semi-permanent fixture, it is usual practice to plan a room's furniture around the fireplace.

2. Size

With a smaller unit, an average home can be heated amazingly well. Depending on the layout, larger residences may need numerous or even larger units. The amount of the house that will be heated should also be considered. Some homeowners opt to use a small unit for one or two rooms, even though most will probably wish to heat the entire house. It is typically ideal in older drafty homes because distant rooms are sometimes insufficiently heated by current heating systems. Make sure you are familiar with the size and even the age of the home before visiting your local wood stove retailer. This information will help their staff locate the best choices for your case.

3. Storage of Wood

The ability to store a lot of wood for usage during the colder months boosts a wood stove's efficiency. Before purchasing a unit, proper wood storage should be taken into account since it is always important. The wood needs to be kept dry whether the homeowner plans to cut their own or buy cut wood from an outside source. The woodcutter needs a big space to keep both seasoned wood and wood that is still seasoned. A covered place to keep the wood dry and an elevated platform to give it room to breathe while being kept are both essential components of proper outdoor storage.

4. Heat Output

If you are unsure of kW, you should research because the stove's heat output is measured in kW. A decent generalization is that one kilowatt-hour will provide roughly 3500 BTUs over time. The exact amount may differ, depending on how effective your appliance is. For instance, many stoves aren't very efficient when they're just turning on or shutting off! Therefore, if your stove claims to be 30 kW, you should expect to use around one kilowatt-hour. The amount of fuel that can be fed into the appliance before it needs to be entirely refilled is referred to as the storage capacity or hopper size. Depending on the type and size of stove you purchase, this varies significantly.

5. Freestand Stove vs. Fireplace Insert

Freestanding stoves and fireplace inserts are the two primary categories of wood stoves available for purchase. Freestanding stoves are frequently built in locations without pre-existing stone fireplaces, such as on a brick or tile floor or a hearth pad purchased at a store. These stoves can be ordered in various forms, such as high on a tower or pedestal or low to the ground with legs. Some freestanding stoves can be installed as hearth mounts in masonry fireplaces, but fireplace inserts are ideal for fully incorporating a wood heater into a fireplace.

6. Efficiency

Higher efficiency translates into less money spent on wood, time lugging and chopping wood, and a more environmentally friendly end product. Due to the inefficiency and wood waste of older wood stoves, several manufacturers choose not to disclose their efficiencies. To get the greatest value for your money, search for wood stoves that have 70% or above efficiency. During winter storms, an efficient wood stove reduces the amount of chopping, stacking, and trips to the woodpile.

7. Catalyst or Non-Catalyst

Catalytic stoves that use a catalytic combustor to minimize emissions acquired a negative image when they were initially introduced in the 1980s. These early, poorly made wood-burning stoves employed catalytic combustors that clogged up and failed after only a few seasons and were tough to start. The issues with modern catalytic stoves are nonexistent. Compared to their non-catalytic equivalents, the majority of wood stoves on the market today are substantially cleaner and more efficient, and the catalytic combustors can survive for ten years or more.

Conclusion

A wood-burning stove is a terrific option for anyone looking for the ideal home heating source. They have been created to be the house's focal point and be among the most effective heating sources. Today, homeowners have a wide selection of designs and styles to pick from that precisely match their tastes. Even when the electricity grid impacts other heat sources, you can still have heat when needed. Each year, there is a growing need for these products, so buy your new wood-burning stove now and enjoy radiant heat whenever you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What fuel can I use to burn wood stoves?
Stoves that burn wood, such as logs or pellets, are known as "wood burners" or "log burning" stoves. However, it's no longer as easy as clearing some wood from your property or removing dead wood from the nearby woods. Wet wood and house coal sales are now prohibited under the "Ready to Burn" Act, enacted on May 1, 2021. It is done to prevent the escape of hazardous gases into the atmosphere, which is dangerous for the environment and human health. Any wood sold in quantities up to 2m3 needs documentation proving its moisture level is under 20%. Higher volumes must be sold with instructions on how to dry it out before burning.
2. Are all wood burner stove environment friendly?
According to research, the carbon emissions from a wood burner are 14 times fewer than those from a gas boiler. As a result, wood is low in carbon compared to conventional heating techniques that use fossil fuels. Nevertheless, because you are still essentially pumping nitrogen and carbon into the air, they aren't as clean as an air source heat pump. It impacts air quality both inside the home and in the wider community. Even more than road traffic, wood stoves and coal fireplaces are the biggest sources of tiny particle air pollution in the UK. The amount of these particles can be greatly reduced by burning wood responsibly, yet many people only consider the aesthetic appeal of wood-burning stoves when making their purchase. In this situation, deciding to use an electric heater that simulates a real fire is safer.