More and more people are turning to wood burning stoves to heat their homes. Burning wood is not a novel idea; after all, we’ve been burning wood to heat our homes, and to cook with, for the majority of human history.
If you are looking at making the switch back to wood burning for home comfort, then you are in luck – we now know the best ways to burn wood much more efficiently than we used to:
- Know How To Build A Great Fire
Throwing some logs, kindling and a match in the grate and hoping for the best might actually work from time to time, but you are going to end up with an inefficient fire. The key is to start with a smaller fire and add logs gradually to build up to a strong and steady heat output.
- Get To Know Your Wood
Knowing which woods are best for burning (and which are not) will mean you won’t waste money on poor wooden logs. Oak is one of the best woods for burning due to its high density and high heat output.
- Season Your Wood
Wood needs to be cut, split and stacked well in advance of winter. When wood is well seasoned it can provide up to four times as much heat value than uncured green wood can. It takes around six months to properly season your wood; climate and wood type can change the amount of time it takes to season so make sure you give yourself plenty of time if you’re unsure.
- Keep Everything Clean
Stoves should be cleaned out after every use and your chimney and flue should be inspected and cleaned yearly to avoid build up. It takes just one-tenth of an inch of soot in your fireplace to reduce the heat-transfer efficiency by about 50%.
- Make Sure Your Fire Has Good Air Flow
Ensure the air intake is clear so air can flow freely to your fire. Fires need a lot of air to burn hot and clean, so keep your air intake open for the most efficient burn possible.
Wood is a cleaner option over house coal, which is why many people are making the change. Following these tips will increase the efficiency of your home stove even more, saving you money in the process.