Are Log Burners Eco-Friendly?

According to the Stove Industry Alliance, modern log burners are definitively eco-friendly. 

They run at a third of the price of electric heating and cost 13% less than gas heating. Compared to open fires, they require a third of the wood fuel to produce the same heat output. But what about traditional log burners? Why did the government introduce modern EcoDesign stoves, and what does this mean for customers? Stick with Fires2U as we tell you more about eco-friendly log burners. 

Are Log Burners Going to be Banned? 

No, log burners will not be banned. However, the government’s Clean Air Strategy in 2019 set out to replace traditional log burners with more environmentally friendly options. Since 2017, regulations have been in place to control the pollution caused by log burners. Reportedly 1.5 million households in the UK use log burners, with another 200,000 sold annually. 

Government research showed that unregulated log burners and wood-burning stoves are responsible for 38% of the UK’s primary emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). 

These two air pollutants have extremely harmful long-term effects, such as reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis and an increased risk of dying from lung cancer. Following this data, the government set out to develop a new range of eco-friendly log burners, intending to replace traditional wood-burning stoves entirely by 2022. 

EcoDesign log burners undergo rigorous testing before they hit the market. Each log burner must stay within the legal emissions limits for PM2.5, Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Monoxide production. While it is true that traditional log burners can contribute to air pollution, modern log burners are much more environmentally friendly. But what are the main advantages of EcoDesign log burners? 

PORTWAY ARUNDEL MULTIFUEL STOVE

Price: £544

Advantages of EcoDesign Log Burners

Cost-effective

The Energy Savings Trust revealed that log burners reduce your home’s heating bill by up to 10%! We mentioned earlier that modern log burners run at a third of the price of electricity, meaning you can save money on your energy bills by making the switch. 

EcoDesign stoves burn more efficiently by maximising airflow into the unit and reducing smoke production. As a result, your log burner will use less fuel but heat your home for longer. You can enjoy the benefits of cleaner air and improved savings!

To maximise the cost-effectiveness of your log burner, choosing the right size unit for your home is paramount. A log burner that is too small will not heat your home efficiently. 

Dry wood is environmentally friendly!

The quality of the firewood you use in your fire is crucial. Freshly cut wood has a lot of moisture content, and burning this can reduce your fire’s safety and efficiency. 

That’s because the wetter the wood, the more smoke it produces: increasing the level of particulate matter and NMVOCs in your home defeats the purpose of using an EcoDesign stove altogether! 

It can also create a harmful creosote build-up in your chimney and flue, leading to a potential fire hazard. However, burning wood with less than 20% moisture will ensure a cleaner burn with maximum heat output. 

Dry wood produces a much more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient burn. No energy is wasted vaporising the moisture to steam, meaning over 80% of your seasoned firewood will be used to heat your home. 

By using dry wood in your EcoDesign log burner, you’ll keep levels of particulate matter to a minimum and maximise the effectiveness of your unit. 

Are wood-burning stoves energy efficient? 

Yes, modern wood-burning stoves have high-efficiency combustion systems. The Stove Alliance Industry states that EcoDesign log burners must have an energy efficiency rating of at least 75%, compared with the UKCA requirement of 65%. (source)

If you’re the proud owner of a high-efficiency EcoDesign log burner, its heat will warm your home more efficiently than more wasteful models. Plus, you will need to burn fewer logs to achieve the same heat output. You save on your energy bills and firewood, so everyone’s a winner!

GALLERY CLASSIC 8 ECO BLACK MULTIFUEL STOVE

Price: £721

Choose Fires2U for your EcoDesign Log Burners! 

Now that you know log burners are an eco-friendly way to heat your home, why not try them out for yourself? 

Here at Fires2U, we stock a range of energy-efficient, money-saving wood-burning stoves. You may struggle to decide between a rustic cast-iron unit or a warm white stove. Will you settle for a traditional or log burner? Or one that puts a contemporary twist on a classic home fixture? 

The choice is yours, and Fires2U is here to help.