skip to main content

Is there such a thing as a clean burning wood burning stove insert

7 years ago

As I asked above,I would really appreciate feedback. I have an existing open brick fireplace 34 inches wide 27 " high and 19" deep. I am concerned about the environment but gas is not an option. We would like to have this heating option for frequent power outages in the winter. Do not want to rely on propane. I have heard newer models burn cleaner but I don't see this claim on any websites. Thanks.

Featured Answer

Christopher_H

7 years ago

Wood stoves do burn clean. Yes, they emit CO2, but it's the same amount of CO2 the tree would emit as it decays in the woods. Once the fire is going and the stove is functioning, you can go outside and see nothing coming from the chimney as the new stoves have "clean burn" technology which has smoke reenter the burn chamber, as smoke is unburned gas that would normally go up the chimney.

The old stoves were just fire boxes with ways to limit the air to the fire. So when the owner closed off the air, all the fire did was smolder, which caused smoke. Hence the name given them today, "Smoke Dragons".

When you look into a stove or insert, bigger is not better! These are appliances and must be sized to the area you plan to heat. Let's say you have a 2,000 SF home. You don't necessarily want a unit that will heat the entire home to 70 degrees, as the bedrooms should be cooler, etc. So do some research before going forward.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

50s_ranch Andres
7 years ago
I've had an Avalon wood burning insert for about 11 years now. It's great. It puts out a lot of heat and is EPA certified. It's got a big window so you can enjoy the ambience of the fire. It certainly burns much cleaner than an open fireplace and all the heat doesn't go up the flue. http://www.avalonfirestyles.com/productselect.aspx?fuel=wood-insert
akamainegrower
7 years ago
All wood stoves and fireplace inserts on the market today must meet EPA standards for efficiency and particulate emissions. There is some variation from stove model to stove model, but all are far more clean burning than older stoves and a great deal better than an open fireplace. The real key to clean burning, however, is to use dry wood (20% or less moisture content) and operate the stove according to the manufacturer's recommendation. You can find ratings and reviews by owners for just about every stove on the market at www.hearth.com
Related Discussions
Wood Burning , Gas Insert , Pellet Stove Which is best ?
Q
Comments (22)
As far as how much the stoves can go down in the "off-season" depends on many factors. If there is a discontinued model, it will go cheaper. On others, it just depends on how motivated the dealer is or maybe there is a stove in a particular color that they want to clear out. Mostly, the off-season is best for scheduling the installation and ordering any parts. That's probably where you will save the most money. Maybe they can even throw in installation for free if they don't discount the stove. There is more bargaining room on everything when they have more time. As far as the motor and boards on the Harman, I only ever replaced one board, but I am convinced the owner of the stove messed it up (there were other issues with this guy). I never replaced a motor or even a blower, even on my own stove. There is fan noise with all pellet stoves and I would always recommend to people that it not be put in the TV room. It seems to bother some people more than others. If you are sensitive to sounds it will bother you. It is kind of like a range hood fan on low all the time.
...See More
Simple modern wood burning insert
Q
Comments (12)
Are you happy with the H530? I am thinking of getting the exact same one. Wittus quoted me roughly 3600 for the Optifire and I think 3050 for the H530 from Jydepejsen. These are both workhorses, and I don't think a fan should be neccessary. I went to a local fireplace store and it's appalling the design of American fireplaces... In my old house I had installed an incredible Danish woodburning stove from Hwam. I miss it. High functionality, high design with simple lines that can fit any decor, and a large window so you really see the fire. I imported it myself, which is what I plan to do with my next one. (email me offline if anyone wants info on this) They don't have the zero clearance unit yet, probably not till next year, so I'm trying to work out what to use as a heat barrier as I'm not putting it into an existing masonary fireplace, but I'm pulling out a flimsy gas log unit. My local store didn't seem to have a problem with installing a unit I wouldn't be buying from them. They only carried the Quadrafire which looks I find horrible.
...See More
Need advice from the experts on Olympic wood burning insert
Q
Comments (2)
As you already noted, the smoke comes from colder, heavier air pushing the smoke back down the chimney. The fact that you have an external chimney doesn't help either. For its use right now an outside air kit would probably not help much. I would seriously look at an insulated metal liner but only if you dump that older inefficient rather dangerously installed insert for a newer clean-burning insert, like maybe an Avalon Olympic. I have a small freestanding wood stove in a chimney like yours with an insulated liner and it drafts like a charm. I burned two cords of wood in it last year, swept the flue this past weekend and had less than a 1/2 gallon of very fine soot in the liner.
...See More
Not sure I understand the wood burning stove thing
Q
Comments (1)
Wood Heat 101. I live in Vermont and use a woodstove as my main heat source. My home is 10 years old and is very well insulated. During the Vermont winter my home is an average 68-70 degrees. I have an oil burneer as a backup and my average heating bill is under $600 including buying the wood. What you saw in the house you were looking at was probably an old "Smoke Dragon" built before the EPA regulated woodstoves. Tha best thing to happen to that stove is a scrap yard. Modern stoves are sized to fit the area being heated, and I have a small 55,000 BTU stove and it's in the living room. Woodstoves are a big case where bigger is NOT better. When damped down it has a nice fire in the window and many times that fire is more entertaining than what's on TV today! And again, the house is comfortable, not hot. And with the bedrooms at the other end of the huse, they stay very comfy during the night at about 55 degrees. It's also great when we have a blizzard and the power is out for a few days. We stay nice and warm! Go to some woodstove websites, and you'll be surprised at what you see. Regency-fire, Jotul, Lopi, Avalon, etc.
...See More
Liz Madigan
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Maine, Andres and Christopher. I learned a lot and I am off to a good start.
PRO
Rockford Chimney Supply
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
There is also a tax credit for any EPA rated stoves, Napoleon and Osburn stoves meet that requirement.

https://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/wood-burning-inserts

https://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/wood-pellet-stove-tax-credit-2016/
Christopher_H
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
So do Avalon, Regency, Jotul, and just about every other brand. But always purchase from a local dealer who will also do do the installation, never order from far away because it's the dealer you will need for service.

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS How to Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace

By Laura Gaskill

Learn about inserts and other options for switching your fireplace from wood to gas or electric

REMODELING GUIDES Clean-Burning Woodstoves Ignite a Greener Heating Trend

By Laura Gaskill

No need to rely on oil or gas to heat your home — new woodstove designs burn cleanly and are beautiful to boot

FIREPLACES Heat Your Space in Style with Today's Wood-Burning Stoves

By Shawn Gauthier

Cleaner burning and streamlined, new wood-burning stoves warm up the room

FIREPLACES Updated Woodstoves Keep Home Fires Burning

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Better technology means more efficiency than ever for modern woodstoves

HOUSEKEEPING 20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Spring-Clean

By Laura Gaskill

Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better

WOODWORKING How to Clean and Care for Your Butcher Block

By R. Olson Design

Keep butcher block counters and boards looking sharp as a knife — and sanitized for safe food prep — with this advice from a pro woodworker

KITCHEN DESIGN Design an Easy-Clean Kitchen

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

"You cook and I'll clean" might no longer be a fair trade with these ideas for low-maintenance kitchen countertops, cabinets and floors

MOST POPULAR 33 Magic Household Cleaning Tips

By Pauline Warlet

Houzzers from around the world share their tips for transforming housework into child’s play

REMODELING GUIDES 'Yakisugi-ita' Is Setting the Siding World on Fire

By Ivon Street Studio

Exterior wood siding created by a Japanese burning technique is now alighting in the Western world

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Durable, Easy-Clean Soapstone

By Ivon Street Studio

Give bacteria the boot and say sayonara to stains with this long-lasting material that's a great choice for kitchen and bath countertops

Sponsored

Premier Home Services, Inc

19 Reviews

Loudoun County Complete Turn-Key Contracting Solutions

More Discussions

Adding a gas fireplace

0

Holey Brick Fireplace needs Help

0

where to put TV

0

I am at a loss for what to do with this fireplace.

0

Black color for brick fireplace

0