In these times of soaring energy prices, “everyone” wants to burn firewood to heat their homes and keep costs down. However, high demand has led to a shortage of firewood among many firewood producers. So it is good to know that a new fireplace or wood burner with modern heating technology will make firewood last twice as long!
The magic is in the combustion technology, which means you get much higher efficiency, or heat output, from each log compared with older wood burners.
Briefly, this is how the combustion process works: Wood releases gases when it is burned. Half of the energy (heat) stored in wood is in these gases. If the supply of oxygen to the fire is insufficient, it will result in incomplete combustion. Thankfully, great strides have been made in technological development in recent years and Jøtul has assumed the role of world leader in Clean Burn Technology.
The principle of clean burn stoves is that they are better insulated, which increases the temperature in the burn chamber. In addition, extra heated air (oxygen) is fed in just above the fire, which ensures that what would have been unburned gases and particles in an old stove undergo combustion too. This results in very few emissions through the flue pipe and it releases more heat into the room. This is good for the environment and your wallet too!
The efficiency rating of older fireplaces and wood burners is about 40%, according to the Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature’s project «Energy Smart», while a clean-burning wood burner from Jøtul has an efficiency rating of more than 80%. So by switching to a new wood burner, you will get twice the heat from each log. The same source also ranks our fireplaces and wood burners as the most energy smart!
With today’s high energy prices, the investment in a clean-burning wood burner from Jøtul will pay for itself within a few years. Your home will be filled with real warmth and enhanced with a stylish, heat-generating design feature. Enova, which is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, has produced a practical guide explaining the savings and benefits to be gained by purchasing a new wood burner.
To light a fire correctly, it is essential to have proper, dry firewood, get the fire going well and, very importantly, ensure an adequate supply of air.
According to SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research institutes, it is important to get a fire burning properly to get the maximum benefit and efficiency from the firewood. The actual lighting process is importan
The wood must be dry. A fresh log has a moisture content of about 50% and must be left to dry until it has a moisture content of 20%. Moist wood is a waste of energy and causes the wood burner to cool down. When moist wood is burned, it produces more smoke and pollution and causes soot to gather inside the wood burner and chimney.
