Tips for Increasing the Efficiency of Your Wood Heater

There aren’t many things that are as appealing as the prospect of settling down in front of a blazing fire on a wonderful day or night and taking the time to relax while enjoying the soothing warmth from your wood heater. Wood heaters are the quintessential expression of rustic living with added comfort. 

Despite all the good it amplifies, there is something that lessens a wood heater’s appeal just slightly. It is not a dire lack, but it can have significant outcomes. The shortfall we are talking about is your heater’s inefficiency. You may be unaware of it, but you lose a lot of heat energy when your heater is on. This number is estimated to be about 85% total loss for older heaters. Newer wood heaters benefit from technology backing their design, making them as efficient as 75per cent per use, which is a considerable improvement. However, there are still some actions you can take to increase the efficiency of your wood heater.

Proper Operation

Using your wood heater in the wrong way makes it less efficient and more cumbersome on your budget. The improper operation involves extinguishing the wood heater and allowing the house to cool entirely before lighting it again to generate warmth. Permitting the house to cool requires more wood to bring the temperature up again, which is taxing for the heater. The more you do this; the less effective your heater will be over time.

Think About Your Firewood

Wood heaters work best with dry hardwood. Such wood produces the highest amount of heat when burned than other types. Wet hardwood not only gives off less warmth but also forms excessive creosote. Creosote is a by-product of burning wood that gathers in the flue. Creosote’s flammability makes it highly likely to cause a fire if it is not cleared away in time.

Check Your Insulation

You may be losing heat from more places than just your wood heater. If your home is not well insulated, meaning that gaps in the doors and windows are present and proper insulation has not been installed in the wall, you will lose a lot of the wood heater’s heat. This loss renders your heater ineffective, as it will require more wood over a more extended period to generate enough heat. It is advisable to check your home’s insulation to increase your home’s energy rating.

Give A Heat Transfer System A Try

A air heat exchanger enables you to heat multiple rooms without the necessity for numerous heaters throughout the house. The transfer system is installed in the ceiling or roof from the area where your wood heater is located to other rooms. Its purpose is to direct heated air from the source, in this case, the heater in one room, to other places in the home.

Employ Good Chimney Care

You are advised against neglecting your chimney. It is the area, which is most likely to get clogged with dirt and debris. Creosote forms build-ups in the chimney over time that create a fire hazard. Ensure that your chimney is well cared for with regular sweeps and inspections.

With proper and diligent care, wood fireplaces can be a very efficient heat source that makes your home a cozy and more inviting space to be in at all times.