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Wood Burning Stove
Chances
are that your grandparents or great grandparents used wood burning
stoves as a main source of heat. Today consumers are using natural gas
and heating oils to provide this heat because it is more convenient.
For those that own a wood burning stove, it is probably to supplement
their central heating system like a furnace and is used to create a
cozy space during the coldest days of winter.
Some of the pros of wood burning stoves( wood burners) are:
- wood logs are a renewable resource
that is readily available locally.
- wood stoves are the best heat source
during a power outage.
- wood can be stock piled and seasoned
throughout the warm months and split at your convenience. Logs should be stacked in a covered
shelter .
- generally wood burning stoves last
years and are a durable, one-time purchase.
- there is a wide range of stove sizes
that can accommodate various room sizes.
- wood stoves are available with a
thermostat that is ideal for creating a comfortable and consistent temperature in your
home.
- providing a ceiling fan in the same
room as the fireplace can help to distribute the heat and make the temperature more
comfortable throughout the home.
- wood burning stoves are mesmerizing to
look at and can offer a romantic and cozy space.
- with the right kind of seasoned
firewood, wood fireplaces offer a clean burn which leaves
minimal build-up of deposits in the stove, chimney and on the glass.
- yearly maintenance is required in the
form of a chimney sweep to remove any creosote and other smoke emissions.
It is important to note that older wood stoves and those that have been
installed improperly can create smoke emissions that can cause air
pollution or an unsafe, dirty chimney that poses a risk of fire. This
is caused by wood that is not burned efficiently.
The best way to ensure that your wood burning stove is working
efficiently and safely is to hire a certified professional to install
and perform regular maintenance on the venting system(chimney) of the
stove. Improper venting and clearance between the stove and the chimney
can cause irregular draft from fuelling the fire therefore creating
smoldering. The smoke from smoldering creates creosote to build-up
within the chimney. If this is not removed during an annual chimney
sweep, a house fire could result.
Building a fire that will burn cleanly and efficiently requires a few
practical steps:
- start by adding chopped kindling and
dry newspaper to a clean firebox.
- burn dry, seasoned firewood that has
been split properly .
- add 2-3 pieces of wood at a time and
allow it to burn thoroughly to coals, then add another 2-3 logs. Adding a few at a time as
opposed to one at a time will burn more thoroughly and efficiently while
creating the same amount of heat.
- clean the wood stove by placing ashes
in a covered metal container.
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