There was another thread about a firewood powered car, and I didn't want to hijack the thread so I started this one.
We recently installed a Wood Burning fireplace and did a lot of research prior to purchase, so I thought I would share it.
First, doesn't burning firewood introduce Carbon in the atmosphere?
It does, but the the trees that we use, are either dead, or have been cut for other reasons, (Orchard reductions etc.) Left to lay they would break down and slowly introduce the carbon into the atmosphere. We are speeding up this process greatly, but it is the same net result. This is instead of using fossil fuels that left alone would never enter the atmosphere.
Now, obviously there are alternatives such as electricity, that can have lesser impact ( since all of the electricity we buy is from renewable sources) but the cost in a cold climate is very high. So we are trying a achieve a balance.
So the other decisions are made based on looks, Quality, efficiency, and emissions
The EPA is regulating the emissions of wood heaters and as someone stated the maximum emissions for a Non Catalytic heater is 7.5 gm/hr. Catalytic equipped heaters are limited to 4.1 Gm/hr. The Average certified wood stove is 6.0 gm/hr.
We found two fireplaces we liked, both with emissions well below the max., Fireplace Extraordinaire,( Cat equipped 2.5 gm/hr) and Quadrafire (non cat. 3.1 gm/hr)
The second major consideration is Efficiency. A higher efficiency fireplace will result in less fuel consumed and thus, net less emissions.
Because of this fact, fireplaces with an efficiency rating of 75% or greater qualify for a federal tax rebate. This had not been setup when we purchased ours.
The Fireplace Extraordinaire has an efficiency rating of 72%, so although it does a great job, if you are concerned with the rebate($1500.00), it won't cut it. Interestingly enough, when we were shopping all dealers agreed that was a great unit.
The Quadrafire had the highest efficiency we found, at a whopping 76.99%
Although efficiency is measured at the unit, there is one other feature that made these two stand out. Both have fans that take air from outside the building, heat it, and introduce it to the building. This pressurizes the building and makes any air leaks go out, instead of in. This makes a much higher net heat gain. The Quadrafire can heat outside air or inside, the FPE outside only, this might be an issue in extremely cold conditions (Sub Zero)
We chose the Quadrafire and although it has been too warm to use it much, we have a little and have absolutely no regrets.
BTW. I have no interest, financial or other wise in either of these products.
We recently installed a Wood Burning fireplace and did a lot of research prior to purchase, so I thought I would share it.
First, doesn't burning firewood introduce Carbon in the atmosphere?
It does, but the the trees that we use, are either dead, or have been cut for other reasons, (Orchard reductions etc.) Left to lay they would break down and slowly introduce the carbon into the atmosphere. We are speeding up this process greatly, but it is the same net result. This is instead of using fossil fuels that left alone would never enter the atmosphere.
Now, obviously there are alternatives such as electricity, that can have lesser impact ( since all of the electricity we buy is from renewable sources) but the cost in a cold climate is very high. So we are trying a achieve a balance.
So the other decisions are made based on looks, Quality, efficiency, and emissions
The EPA is regulating the emissions of wood heaters and as someone stated the maximum emissions for a Non Catalytic heater is 7.5 gm/hr. Catalytic equipped heaters are limited to 4.1 Gm/hr. The Average certified wood stove is 6.0 gm/hr.
We found two fireplaces we liked, both with emissions well below the max., Fireplace Extraordinaire,( Cat equipped 2.5 gm/hr) and Quadrafire (non cat. 3.1 gm/hr)
The second major consideration is Efficiency. A higher efficiency fireplace will result in less fuel consumed and thus, net less emissions.
Because of this fact, fireplaces with an efficiency rating of 75% or greater qualify for a federal tax rebate. This had not been setup when we purchased ours.
The Fireplace Extraordinaire has an efficiency rating of 72%, so although it does a great job, if you are concerned with the rebate($1500.00), it won't cut it. Interestingly enough, when we were shopping all dealers agreed that was a great unit.
The Quadrafire had the highest efficiency we found, at a whopping 76.99%
Although efficiency is measured at the unit, there is one other feature that made these two stand out. Both have fans that take air from outside the building, heat it, and introduce it to the building. This pressurizes the building and makes any air leaks go out, instead of in. This makes a much higher net heat gain. The Quadrafire can heat outside air or inside, the FPE outside only, this might be an issue in extremely cold conditions (Sub Zero)
We chose the Quadrafire and although it has been too warm to use it much, we have a little and have absolutely no regrets.
BTW. I have no interest, financial or other wise in either of these products.
