The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are believed to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. So you can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a fantastic choice for those who live in smoke-controlled areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. stoves log burners makes it an excellent choice for large-sized rooms. The huge fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.
It is made of modern steel, and therefore is able to be used in traditional inglenooks as well freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a large portion of the heat produced is transferring into your home instead of being lost to the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years, as it has been shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 that has been linked with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
Choosing the right wood for your stove is essential to ensure the highest heat output and combustion. There are many types of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is a good choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it so it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that is durable and comes with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing regulations that are thrown at the use of these stoves. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.
One company that is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that provides an amazing flame image. It also has an airwash system which prevents soot build-up.
With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a fantastic stove for most rooms and it's also very easy to maintain and use. The curving lines and classic design make it ideal for traditional and contemporary design. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems with this model, which will increase the efficiency.
The stove also has a built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors, depending on your chimney type. It also comes with wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether they are good for health. It's important to consider the health effects of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not tending to the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as is possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful ambience to a room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help to lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves are harmful because they emit microscopic particles of soot that can enter your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that stoves meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only is in compliance, but even 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 by an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, which means it is able to be used in areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets European restrictions on the emissions of wood-burning stoves that will come into the market in 2022.
If that wasn't enough the stove comes with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to put it in place. It's a durable model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated with an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.
The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves that has the complete five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as great as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big brand in the world of wood burners with a maverick flair that is not to be missed. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves that come with various options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus and also demonstrates that they can still deliver a superior product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is a great choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their stove will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.