Many people may like the idea of an open fire due to the cosy atmosphere it creates but realistically is it an efficient heating solution?
Here we are going to look at some of the benefits of having a wood burner rather than an open fire:
Efficiency
The biggest benefit that will affect everybody is the fact that having a wood burner will save you money long-term. With an open fire, you will lose approximately 80% of the heat straight up the chimney leaving you with only 20% to warm your home. Whereas, a wood burner only loses approximately 20% of the heat produced dependent on what is being burnt and how the stove is being operating. This results in needing less fuel therefore spending less money.
Environmentally Friendly
As previously mentioned, when having an open fire, most of the gases will be released directly up the chimney meaning the dangerous gases are being let out into the atmosphere. While a wood burner does let some gases out these have been burnt beforehand and are a lot safer. There are some parts within the stove that help to prevent dangerous gases being released, these include the baffle plate and the secondary or tertiary air supply.
Control
As you have probably guessed, you will have no control over an open fire. Once it is lit, you have the choice of leaving it or putting it out. A wood burner has the air supply control which determines the power of the heat and how quickly the fire goes out.
Draught
For obvious reasons, less draught is created when the chimney is sealed, and the air can only escape when the stove door is open. Hence, the open fire may be producing heat, but it is also producing them nasty draughts.
Heat
The purpose of a chimney is to draw air up but obviously the bigger the space the more air is going to disappear. So open fires are more than likely going to suck up that warm air that the fire has produced leaving you with a cold room. Due to everything being sealed there is less space for the air to be sucked up so therefore less of problem when you have got a wood burner.
Check out some previous blog posts to help you make a decision on what wood burner is right for you:
Choosing a Stove for your room
List of the 10 most popular stove brands
Four reasons to install a wood burning stove