Having a fireplace is a wonderful way to create a cozy atmosphere in your home. Even if you don't have a classic built-in fireplace, you can still achieve such an atmosphere by investing in wood burners. No matter if you need one for your living room, bedroom, or for your outdoor sitting area, wood burners will create the setting you need for a comfortable and intimate atmosphere for your family gatherings, celebrations or backyard parties. To choose the best wood burner, you should consider its size, but also the type of woods that are suitable for burning, as well as where you'll place it.
What Are Wood-burning Heaters?
As the name says, wood-burning heaters use primarily wood for fuel and are a smart and excellent investment for your home. Such a heater can reduce your home's carbon footprint by about 14%. These heaters are made from a hard-wearing all-metal construction such as steel or cast iron. This guarantees that they can stand up to the heat produced by woods. The main components of wood burners are the burn chamber and the flue (chimney). It will help you make a wonderful focal point in your living room or on your patio or garden.
For indoors, it will create a romantic and cozy atmosphere in the winter months. Outdoor wood burners are popular for chillier nights no matter the season when you want to enjoy drinks and food with your loved ones. Even if the night is hot, you can still turn on the heater and create a lovely atmosphere (perfect for celebrations and parties).
Types of Wood
Wood-burning heaters can burn various types of wood. Hardwood logs are denser than softwood and give more heat output. Keep in mind that if you burn wet wood it will make a lot of smoke and may damage the chimney and blacken the appliance. It also adds to air pollution. Make sure to always use dry wood that was properly sourced and seasoned.
Avoid burning pine, fir, spruce, chipboard offcuts, and rubbish, since they release toxic gases. To reach the full potential of your wood burner, you will have to use the right wood. Drier burning wood is a better option. Damp longs with high levels of moisture will reduce the heater's output and will release a lot of smoke. Klin-dried wood is the most expensive one. Freshly cut logs that still have a high level of moisture, are the most affordable. Klin-dried woods even though more expensive, offer the best heat output.
So, it's a much better idea to invest some more money and get suitable heat without smoke, than to deal with constant coughing, teary eyes and the urge to open the windows to clear the indoor air. Go for hardwood like oak and ash that take longer to burn. Softer woods such as pine and fir are more affordable but will burn much faster and therefore, you'll need more pieces of them to keep the room warm.
What's the Best Size?
You can have the best wood burner, but to create a comfortable room temperature, be sure to have the right size for your room.
If it's too large, you'll soon realize that the room will become unbearably hot. You'll need about 1kW of heat output for every 14 cubic meters in your room. To calculate this, measure the width, length and height of your room and multiply the figures together. Also consider other factors such as the size of windows, if they are double glazing and the number of outside walls. This measuring can be best done with professional help.
Where to Place It?
A wood burner fireplace can be installed in any room of the house. If you want one for your outdoor area, you should be specific about it with your salesperson. Many heaters are freestanding so you can get to choose in which corner or room it will be placed. It's ideal if you place it against a wall, or in an existing fireplace in the central part of the room, flued through the ceiling.
If you aren't sure about the location, it's best to contact an advisor who will ensure that you get a safe installation.
Do You Need a Chimney?
A chimney is an essential part of wood-burning heaters. The smoke that is released from the burning wood has to go somewhere and it's better if it's up and out of the house. Also, the chimney will provide a draft that’s necessary to keep the fire burning. If your chimney can't provide you with good ventilation, you should instal a dedicated air vent before your wood-burning stove works correctly.
Is It Eco Friendly?
Many people think that burning wood is eco-friendly and that it won't pollute the environment. This is partially true; wood burners are carbon neutral. This means the carbon dioxide released by burning wood is equal to the amount a tree absorbs during its growth. However, this is only the case if you purchase wood from suppliers that promise to replace the trees that they cut down. Also, be sure to get wood that doesn't release toxic gases. This can be dangerous not only for the environment but also for you and your family by direct breathing of the indoor air.