Month: December 2022

7 ways to maximise your wood-burning stove’s efficiency

charnwoodstoves
20 Dec 2022

At Charnwood, a key part of our mission is to maximise wood-burning efficiency. Our revolutionary Blu technology means our stoves achieve ClearSkies ratings of 5/5 stars, while easily outperforming Ecodesign regulation requirements. We believe this is vital work when considering all the myriad benefits wood burning offers the individual and society. Carbon neutrality, significant well-being benefits, heat security and perhaps most importantly right now, low-cost fuel.

If you’ve already upgraded to an Ecodesign stove but are still looking for ways to improve efficiency, then please read on. In this post, we will discuss 7 great ways to make your stove work even harder for you and the environment!

1. Use a stove pipe thermometer

A Stove or Flu pipe thermometer is an essential piece of equipment that allows you to accurately monitor your stove’s temperature. This helps burn wood efficiently, protecting your stove and chimney, while reducing emissions and maximising heat output.

“Makes it so much easier to see if my fire is working at optimum temperature and if I need to adjust the amount of wood/air flow.” Charnwood customer from the 2022 stove accessory survey

Additionally, we recommend keeping your stove glass clean so you can monitor your fire and gauge its intensity. As you become more experienced you will be able to better predict the necessary interventions for gaining maximum efficiency.

2. Burn only dry, seasoned wood for better combustion

It’s important to burn only dry, seasoned wood with a moisture content of 20% or below. Wet wood (anything above 20%) doesn’t burn as well, leading to low efficiency and more smoke and pollutants.

Seasoned wood is wood that has been cut and usually allowed to dry for at least 6-12 months. You can roughly estimate if wood is seasoned by its lighter weight when compared to wet wood and telltale cracks in the end grain. However, to be sure, we strongly recommend using a moisture meter to accurately check the moisture content.

Better still, you can purchase kiln-dried wood from an approved firewood seller. Click here to search in your area.

3. Use a heat shield to direct more heat into the room

 

You can reduce your stove’s clearances to combustibles and direct more heat back into the room with a Vlaze heatshield. Vlaze heat shields and hearth plates protect walls and floors from high temperatures and help reflect heat back into your room – they look great too!

4. Harness your stove’s heat for cooking and boiling the kettle

If you have a wood-burning stove, you can harness your stove’s heat for cooking with cast iron pots and pans. This is a fantastic way to save energy while heating your home! For everything you need to know about cooking with your stove click here.

5. Check the seals on your stove

It’s important to make sure that the seals on your stove are tight. If the seals become too loose, this will reduce the efficiency of your stove and could allow smoke into your home. To check the seals, simply look at the gasket (rope seal) around the door of your stove. If it’s not snug against the door, then it needs replacing. You should also check the seal around the chimney to prevent any escape. Taking just a few minutes to check the seals on your wood-burning stove, will help you keep your home safe and warm all winter long.

If you’re still not sure how to check the seals, consult your stove owner’s manual or contact a qualified technician.

6. Don’t overfill the stove – allow for air circulation

When using a wood-burning stove, it is important not to overfill the firebox. Allowing for proper air circulation is key to ensuring that the fire burns evenly and efficiently. A good rule of thumb is to fill the firebox no more than halfway. If the wood is too tightly packed, it will not be able to get enough oxygen and will smoulder rather than burn. This can be a hazard, as smouldering wood can cause creosote buildup, a flammable substance that can cause chimney fires. So next time you’re stoking the fire, be sure to leave enough space for the air to circulate and maximise efficiency.

7. Regularly clean out ash and soot from inside the stove

Another important maintenance task for a wood-burning stove is to regularly clean out the ash and soot that builds up inside. Not only does this help to keep the stove looking clean, but it also helps improve efficiency. Ash and soot can block the airflow inside the stove, making it difficult for the fire to breathe and reducing efficiency.

How often you clean will depend on how often the stove is used, but generally, it is best to do a thorough cleaning once every couple of weeks.

We highly recommend using an ash carrier to make the process much easier and mess-free!

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Using a wood-burning stove is a great way to heat your home, cook meals, and save money on energy costs. However, it is important to take proper maintenance steps to ensure optimal performance. With these tips, you can enjoy the warmth of your fire this winter knowing you are being as efficient as possible!

Merry Christmas from Charnwood & A.J Wells

charnwoodstoves
19 Dec 2022

Every year we send a limited-edition Charnwood calendar to each of our fantastic Charnwood stockists. It has become something of a tradition and a nice way to share some beautiful artwork and our latest wood-burning stove images.

We are delighted that the wonderful author/illustrator, Rachel Bright, has generously given us a beautiful graphic poem to take pride of place on this year’s front cover.

It’s so wonderful, in fact, that we just had to share it with you.

Meet me by the fire at midnight 

by Rachel Bright

Doesn’t it just capture the imagination? It weaves a story that surely resonates with anyone lucky enough to own a wood-burning stove – it really makes you want to light the fire and snuggle!

Most of us have our own magical stories that were only possible due to the warm and cosy focal point the fire provides. Bone warming heat and mesmerizing flames that draw loved ones together and into orbit around the woodstove on a cold winter’s night.

And to some peoples’ surprise, many of us actually look forward to winter precisely because of the joy our wood-burning stove brings.

With all the uncertainty in the world, it’s truly comforting to sit back on a cold night with a warm fire blazing. Knowing that you can depend on it whatever the weather and circumstances in the wider world. This is a huge motivator for us to continue creating the latest, most efficient stoves on the market and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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All of us here at Charnwood and A.J Wells & Sons wish you a very merry, warm and toasty Christmas.

Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report Supports EcoDesign Stoves

charnwoodstoves
19 Dec 2022

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, well known to us all from our lockdown television screens, has just released an annual report on air quality in the UK. The Stove Industry Association (SIA) made a significant contribution, and the resulting report provides a fair and balanced appraisal. The findings confirm much of what the wood-burning stove community has been saying for some years now. 

The report highlights the issues with open fires and old woodstoves and endorses the use of modern Ecodesign wood-burning stoves and encourages the use of best wood-burning stove practices. 

Air pollution emissions can be significantly reduced “…using modern, less polluting stoves and burning wood that is dry”. Additionally, “For air pollution emissions, there is substantial difference between the different open fire and stove designs, the age of the appliance and how well maintained it is, and the moisture content of the wood, for those who want to burn wood.” 

Chair of the SIA, Andy Hill, commented: “In this Report the CMO and his team have considered a wide range of contributors to air pollution from industry, transport, and transboundary sources, as well as domestic solid fuel heating. We are pleased that the report recognises the huge advances in stove appliance technology that have been driven by the Ecodesign regulations and that it calls for the Clean Air Act requirements for smoke control areas to be properly adhered to. The report also highlights potentially ground-breaking new technology in some industries, and, similarly, the stove industry continues to develop and invest in new technology to reduce emissions even further.” 

The myriad benefits of wood burning 

 

The report recognises that the reasons for burning solid fuel in the home are varied with Professor Whitty noting that these include “aesthetic as well as practical, ecological or economic reasons”. 

This line is important and acknowledges the unique qualities wood-burning stoves possess. It is something that we feel should be more fully recognised when making evaluations and comparing the overall impact of each home heating solution. 

The myriad benefits wood burning offers the individual and society cannot be fully replicated by any other heating solution. Wood-burning stoves offer potential carbon neutrality, significant well-being benefits, heat security and perhaps most importantly right now, low-cost fuel.  

Wood burning – the past, present and the future 

With the recent positive progress of nuclear fission in the news, there is real hope on the far horizon for an energy source that transforms our society. However, even when this possibility is realized, likely many decades into the future, there will still be a strong argument for wood burning stoves. Perhaps not as a main source of domestic heating, but as a tool for connection and social bonding, while offering a supplementary heat source for when inevitable interruptions of supply occur.  

Until then, wood-burning stoves have a key role to play in helping families through the challenging times we all face. No other heat solution can provide such a range of benefits that help so directly with the cost-of-living crisis and contribute to the environmental goal of Net Zero 2050. 

 

Top 7 Wood-Burning Stove Accessories

charnwoodstoves
06 Dec 2022

Charnwood recently surveyed over 1000 wood-burning stove users to better understand stove accessory preferences. Many interesting and useful insights were gained, including wood-stove users’ top 7 must-have stove accessories!

Read on to learn about the Charnwood Stove Accessory Survey and the top wood-burning stove accessories you should consider next!

Stove accessories are an important consideration for wood-burning stove owners. Not only do they help you ensure the optimal running of your stove, but they look great too! From vintage pokers to contemporary log storage, there are so many to choose from. That is why we asked the Charnwood wood-burning stove community to share their ‘must-have’ stove accessories.

The Top 7 ‘Must-Have’ Stove Accessories.

The following quotes are from Charnwood wood-burning stove owners.

1/ Log Storage/Basket

This is a great accessory, especially if you plan to burn wood in your Charnwood Stove on a regular basis. It helps keep your logs and kindling organised so they are ready for use at any time.

“Having a full wood basket during these crazy days makes me feel safe and secure, whatever happens I know I have heat and hot water and light.”

“Keeps all the logs tidy and looks great beside the stove. Also useful for carrying in logs from the store outside!”

“It reminds me of my grandparents’ days as they always had one. It also keeps all my logs safe and tidy away from the children.”

“It adds to the ambient feeling of the room when partially or fully loaded but I suppose more importantly it stops me from having to pop outside too frequently to get more logs, thus letting me enjoy the fire uninterrupted.”

“It saves us fighting about who is going to get more logs when it’s cold!”

For a full range of log holder storage click here!

2/ Stove Pipe Thermometer

A thermometer is an essential piece of equipment that allows accurate monitoring of your stove’s temperature. This helps burn wood efficiently, protecting your stove and chimney, while reducing emissions and maximising heat output.

“Makes it so much easier to see if my fire is working at optimum temperature and if I need to adjust amount of wood/air flow.”

“It means that I always burn my logs in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.”

“I hadn’t realised just how hot the stove gets at full output making this an essential piece of it when topping it up with firewood.”

“It allows me to regulate my stove temperature to maximise the life of the stove and have efficient burning of my wood”

“Ensures the fire is hot enough to keep down the accumulation of creosote. Wouldn’t be without it!”

“I constantly use it to check that the stove is burning in its optimum range for efficiency and to prevent damage and tarring.”

You can get a Charnwood Stove Pipe Thermometer here!

3/ Stove Gloves

Good quality heat resistant stove gloves are a necessity for protecting your hands from burns and splinters.

“Without them it would be very difficult and dangerous to use the burner”

“Provides confidence in 100% protection when refueling the stove.”

“Just love them, total safety when loading the stove”

“Offers safety when handling logs, opening & closing stove and promotes attention to avoiding burns.”

“They just make life so much easier handling logs and placing logs in the stove. No splinters or burns!”

Watch this space – Charnwood stove gloves are on the way!

4/ Dustpan & Brush

A dustpan and brush are essential for keeping the area around your stove clean. We recommend a metal version so that you can be confident when dealing with any errant hot embers.

“It makes emptying the stove so much easier and cleaner, the house is relatively dust free after clearing.”

“Keeping the hearth clean and tidy stops ash and debris, from the stove and wood pile underneath it, from spreading to the floor and messing up the room.”

“Whenever the stove is used it is necessary to clean up small amounts of ash that fall out. The brush and pan are thus used very frequently.”

“The dustpan & brush makes removing the ash so much easier, our charnwood is used every day from October to February so we collect a lot of ash which we use as compost.”

5/ Poker

A poker is great to have on hand when you need to move logs around to ensure an even burn.

“An absolute must have accessory to reposition burning logs and coal.”

“Can re-arrange wood in the stove when going, safely.”

“Brilliant for getting fire going”

“I can poke the logs to get maximum burn.”

“Great to look at, well made and does the job perfectly.”

“You can move the logs about to create space and so regulate heat a bit better.”

Our sister company Bodj offer a beautifully hand-crafted blow poker. Click here for more information!

6/ Ash bin/carrier

Having an ash bin or carrier is important for easy and mess-free disposal of ash and embers. Once you use one, you won’t want to do without!

“Easy to use. Metal. Compact. Stops dust flying around. Carry handle is useful.”

“I have two Charnwood stoves. One has the ash bin/carrier and the other doesn’t. It’s SO difficult to get the ash out of the stove that doesn’t have the ash bin/carrier.”

“It is a safe and clean way of dealing with the only downside to a log burner, the ash.”

“Makes it easy to empty ashes no fear of dropping them all over the floor.”

“Makes it more convenient to remove ash over several days without having to fill smaller bin bags thus reducing plastic waste.”

“Easy to use with minimal dust released when moving around can hold at least 1 month’ worth of ash.”

“Simplifies the worst job – cleaning out the ashes and getting them to the bin without being covered in ash from head to foot in a gust of wind.”

Charnwood ash carriers are available here.

7/ Tongs

Tongs are great pieces of equipment to have around the stove. They can help you move logs or stoke the fire safely and they look great too!

“Can’t beat a good solid pair of tongs for keeping away from the heat and flames, whilst topping up the stove.”

“I can position logs to maximum effectiveness.”

“Handy for falling logs.”

“Fantastic for putting more wood in when the stove is really hot!”

“Looks rustic and very useful”

“Allows me to place logs where I want them in my stove, but it is also the most universal tool”

Hand forged tongs are available here.

Having the right stove accessories can make all the difference when it comes to getting the most out of your Charnwood Stove. We hope this list helps you choose. Happy Burning!

It’s that time of year again. To enjoy the holiday season to the max with your wood-burning stove we strongly recommend reading our list of Elf and safety tips!

 

Is wood a cheap domestic heating fuel? SIA Update

charnwoodstoves
06 Dec 2022

With fuel prices going up across the board it is hard to know which fuel now offers best value for money. Well, the SIA’s latest data release reveals that seasoned wood is now the cheapest domestic heating fuel!

Read on to find out how much you could save by switching to wood-burning

Seasoned wood logs are now the least expensive domestic heating fuel, costing 74% less per kWh than electric heating and 21% less than gas heating. The Nottingham Energy Partnership have also found that using a modern Ecodesign wood burning stove costs 29% less to run than an air source heat pump.

Not only does using seasoned wood save you money, but it also has by far the lowest carbon intensity of any domestic heating fuel. Wood logs release 87% less carbon than gas, 88% less than electricity and 74% less than an air source heat pump.

In addition to reducing your energy bills and carbon footprint, modern wood burning stoves also help lower harmful emissions, by replacing open fires and old wood stoves.

A recent survey of wood burning stove retailers and installers showed that, of the stoves installed in the last 12 months, 82% were replacements rather than new installations. A modern Ecodesign compliant wood burning stove emits up to 90% less particulates than an open fire and up to 80% less than an old, basic model.

Here are some top wood-burning tips from the SIA

Choose an Ecodesign compliant wood burning stove such as a clearSkies certified appliance. If you currently use an open fire or an older, very basic wood burning stove consider upgrading. A modern Ecodesign compliant wood burning stove, such as a clearSkies model, releases up to 90% less emissions than an open fire and can be up to 80% less than some older stoves. Your local SIA Retail Group member can help advise on the best stove for you and your family.

-If you live in a Smoke Control Area, your stove will also need to be Defra exempt. All clearSkies Level 3 and above models are certified as Defra exempt.

-Visit your local stove retailer for guidance on choosing the right size stove for your property and for a detailed installation quote. You can find your nearest SIA Retail Group member showroom here.

-Use seasoned wood with a mositure content of 20% or less. Never used chemically treated wood or burn waste on your stove.

-Ensure your stove is fitted and maintained by an appropriately qualified competent person such as one who is HETAS or OFTEC

-Have your chimney swept at least once a year by a registered sweep. The Federation of British Chimney Sweeps has links to all the main sweep associations. Chimney sweeps are a valuable source of information for good practice and advice – and they are happy to engage and encourage you to “Speak to a Sweep”.

-Keep your stove in tip top condition by having it regularly serviced.

Best Firewood Chart UK

When it comes to burning seasoned wood, most people are looking for the most sustainable option. Wood is not only a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it’s also an extremely affordable heating source. To make things simpler for you, we’ve put together a chart with all the different types of firewood and their benefits. Click here, to find the best option for your needs.

The importance of using seasoned wood

Whatever wood species you choose it will require seasoning (drying) until it reaches a moisture content of 20% or less. This will keep harmful emissions to a minimum and significantly improve efficiency while protecting your stove and chimney.

Look out for the Woodsure Ready to Burn label which guarantees a moisture content of 20% or less.

For a list of approved firewood sellers in your area click here.

Related reading:

Why burning the RIGHT wood saves you money & protects the environment!