The Best Woodburners
The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood burning stove have been well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?
New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke controlled areas as it has Level 5 ClearSkies certification that means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great option for larger spaces, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.
It is equipped with a modern steel frame which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clear and helps prevent soot accumulation. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a large portion of the heat produced is being transferred into your home rather than being lost to the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years because it has been proven that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked to lung and heart issues. However, newer models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
It is important to choose the correct wood for the stove to ensure the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be employed, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is a great choice since it burns quickly and provides a lot of heat, however it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is also a great option, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that have been put in place, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is built to last, featuring a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is back by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much more stricter restrictions and even a ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.
One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who have recently launched a widescreen version of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that gives a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system that stops soot build-up.
The stove is easy to use, and has a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curved lines and classical design makes it ideal for traditional and modern style. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on 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 regularly. This helps reduce the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's also available with a remote control.
While the debate continues about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they provide a wonderful ambience in our homes. But, it's important to be aware of the effects of particulate matter and how burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when not working on the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as is possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's soothing watching the flames flicker and help lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get in your breathing system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that stoves have higher standards. This reduces creosote and smoke leakage and, most important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only is in compliance, but even exceeds these new standards, but also exceeds them. contemporary wood burning stoves has a large, clear view window that provides the best view of your flame and is maintained clean by the power of an air wash system. The stove boasts an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets European emission limits for wood-burning stoves which will be in place in 2022.
This stove comes with a free air vent kit. It's now simpler to install than it has ever been. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated in an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.
This stove is an clearSkies label, which indicates that it has been independently tested and certified as eco-friendly and efficient. This is above the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves that have the full five-star clearSkies rating so you can be sure that this woodburner is as great as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in a wide range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent illustration of their brand's focus and shows that they can deliver a superior product for a price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It's the ideal choice for those who don't know where the directive will go and want to feel secure that their log burners will be exempt from smoke control regulations.