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Alternative energy index Fireplaces and Woodburning Stoves dampersglass or metal doors or heat shields new fireplace designs fireplace inserts wood stoves how to buy the right wood stove buying and using firewood you can also purchase firewood seasoned wood the best woods for burning While fireplaces may be wonderful for setting a romantic mood, they are relatively inefficient devices for heating the home. On the average, an operating open-masonry fireplace can have efficiencies ranging up to 15 percent, depending upon its type and operation. However, the efficiency story gets worse -- if there is no fire and the damper is left open, a fireplace can actually have a "negative efficiency" as warm air from the house escapes through the chimney! Fortunately, there are ways to improve fireplace efficiency: Dampers Glass or Metal Doors or Heat Shields Doors work particularly well when a fire is burning down for the night, but the damper has to remain open to allow the smoke to vent. While the fireplace is in operation, glass doors should remain open, since most of the warmth produced by a fireplace is in the form of radiant heat. If closed, the glass will deflect radiant heat back into the fireplace and reduce the heat output to the room. In California, masonry or factory-built fireplaces require closeable metal or glass doors covering the entire opening of the firebox. New Fireplace Designs Some of these units have built-in fans to increase the flow of air and heat. Made of metal, circulating fireplaces warm quickly and cool rapidly once the fire is extinguished. Fireplace Inserts As a matter of fact, that's a valuable tip in any case -- for the most energy efficiency from your fireplace and to insure your family's safety, have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected at least once a year. Wood stoves Wood stoves can be added without a fireplace, of course. There are many types of wood stoves on the market today; if you're to buy one, choosing from the many styles, models and options can be a difficult task. Remember that stoves can be expensive to buy initially and costly to operate if you're going to buy wood. They can also be dangerous -- make sure you educate the occupants of your home about the potential safety hazards. Before you buy, make sure a wood stove meets local air quality regulations. As a rule of thumb, the more efficient the stove, the less pollution it produces. Check with your local air pollution control district to see if there are regulations covering how efficient your stove must be. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the use of wood for residential heating contributes up to 50 percent of the polynuclear organic air pollutants, some of which may be carcinogenic. During winter months, in areas where wood is the principal heating fuel, Wood stoves produce as much as 80 percent of these type pollutants. Robert McCrillis of the EPA says, "...In the field, it's the installation and how the stove is operated that has the largest effect on how it performs. Public education on the correct use of a word-burning stove is part of the current regulations." To meet federal clean air standards, some areas are regulating the use of wood stoves and banning fireplaces in new construction. In order to curb pollution, some communities allow only installation of EPA-approved Phase II stoves, which combust the wood more completely and are more efficient. Once you've bought and installed a wood stove, notify your local building department to conduct a final inspection to ensure that all safety requirements are met before you use the stove. How to buy the right wood stove * How much space must be heated? * How often will the wood stove be used? * How much can I afford to spend? * Will very young children be present when the stove is in operation -- a possible safety hazard? Are there any other significant problems to consider, such as the ability of other family members to operate the stove when needed? * What safety equipment do you need? How much does that cost? * Will a wood stove be economical when compared other types of heating systems? * Should I buy a regular wood stove or pellet stove?
The size of the area to be heated will determine the size of the wood stove you purchase. Remember that a stove that is too small will not heat the area adequately. One that is too large may release too much heat, causing you to reduce the air supply into the stove -- a practice that reduces the stove's efficiency, wastes fuel dollars, and can cause safety and air pollution problems. With many types of wood stoves and hundreds of models from which to choose, the buying process can be frustrating. One way to simplify the process is to rely on the help of a knowledgeable and reliable wood stove dealer. Keep these questions in minds when you choose both a dealer and a stove manufacturer: 1. Does the dealer carry lines from several different manufacturers, so I can compare the features? 2. How realistic are any claims made by a dealer about a particular product? 3. Can the dealer help me choose the right size stove and help me place it in the optimum location in my house? 4. Can the dealer deliver and install the product? 5. Can the dealer repair each model sold? 6. Are replaceable parts, service manuals and warranties
available? Buying and using firewood You can also purchase firewood The cost of firewood varies according to the number of services a wood dealer furnishes -- tasks such as splitting, delivering and stacking. The cost also varies in different geographical areas. Orders for the purchase and delivery of firewood should be placed well in advance of the heating season. Wood purchased during the peak periods is in more demand and becomes more expensive. You will also want to purchase early to give the wood time to season. Seasoned wood When wood is stacked outdoors with good air circulation in a spot that's dry, sunny and open for about six months it will be dry enough to support efficient combustion. Seasoned wood has a higher heating value than green wood. In general, because of its moisture content, a cord of green wood will weigh 70 to 100 percent more than seasoned wood. The time of year and the size of the wood pieces influences the amount of time that wood takes to season. You can help the process by properly stacking and storing your pile of firewood. The best way is to store it outside, under cover and close to the house for easy access. It should be stacked on a supporting base -- such as cement blocks, pallets or wooden planks. This prevents the wood from drawing moisture from the ground, allows air to circulate around it, reduces insect infestation and cuts down on the amount of dirt in accumulates. End braces or stakes can be used to keep the woodpile from collapsing; they can be built to measure accurately a standard cord. The best woods for burning Softwoods start burning easily, and the hardwoods provide for long burning and good "coaling" qualities. A bed of ashes underneath the grate produces steady heat and aids in igniting new fuel as it is added. The fire will continue burning if small amounts of wood are added at regular intervals. In fact, more efficient combustion results from burning small loads of wood with sufficient air than from burning large loads with minimal air. Below is the average energy content of various species of wood.
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