The Best Woodburners
The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood burning stove have been documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home, without compromising your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's an excellent choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies credentials which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an ideal choice for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.
It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding ones. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the build-up of soot. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a large portion of the heat produced is transferring to your home instead of being lost to the chimney.
The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was shown that they can contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, newer models that are made to conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution created from burning fossil fuels, like gas and coal.
Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best heating and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is a great choice due to its rapid burning and produces a lot of heat, however it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to handle because of its thorns.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated. This means that you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner that's built to last, with a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, back by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing guidelines that surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.
One company that is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen version of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass, which gives you an impressive flame image and an airwash system to avoid soot accumulation.
The stove is easy to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. Its curving lines and classic style makes it a great choice for traditional or contemporary style. This model can be easily placed in smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems on this model, which will increase the efficiency.
The stove also has an ash dump built-in which makes it simple to clean ashes and remove them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's also accessible with a remote control.
While the debate rages on about whether wood-burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create a wonderful ambience in our homes. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to a room. it's not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm as they produce tiny soot particles that can get into your respiratory system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log stoves meet higher standards. This will reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to comply with a new standard, and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out. This multi-fuel stove not only meets but exceeds the new standards. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to a powerful air washing system. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take effect in 2022.
This stove comes with a free air-ventilation kit. It's now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a solid little stove constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. This is one of one stove on our list that have the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.
4. www.fireplacesandstove.com Defrost
A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big brand in the world of wood burners with a distinctive style that shouldn't be overlooked. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus and also demonstrates that they are able to provide the best quality product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It's the perfect option for those who don't know what the future direction of the directive is and want to be sure that their log burners are exempt from the smoke control regulations.
