The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove have been well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles that they release into the air?
New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm and cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it has the 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 good choice for larger rooms and the huge glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.
It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding situations. It features an air wash system which keeps the glass clean and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a large portion of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home rather than going up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times because it has been proven that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 which has been linked to lung and heart issues. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. These are only a small portion of the total pollution created from burning fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood stoves are a source of this pollution.
It is crucial to select the right wood for the stove in order to get the highest efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be burned such as eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that were recently implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated. This means you can use it with approved fuels, so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is built to last, featuring sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing regulations that surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much more stricter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you go shopping for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.
One company that 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 renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot build up.
With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove to heat most rooms and it's also extremely simple to maintain and use. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for traditional and contemporary decor. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct air system with this model to boost the efficiency further.
The stove also has an integrated ash dump which makes it simple to clean ashes and remove them regularly. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors dependent on the chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are good for health. It is crucial to consider the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door shut when not tending the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure the air is as healthy as is possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log stoves are up to the highest standards. This will reduce smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
wood burning stove must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards. It features a large-screen glass view window that provides the best view of your flame and is maintained clean by the power of an air wash system. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets European emission standards for wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit making it much easier than ever to install. This is a robust stove made of high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves that have the full five-star ClearSkies rating, which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as good as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player in the wood burner market with a distinctive style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand and also shows that they can still deliver a superior product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It's the perfect option for those who don't know what the future direction of the directive is and want to be sure that their log burners will remain free of smoke control regulations.