Log Burning Systems Wood Fuel Wales - your one-stop source for wood-fuel information.

Log Burning Systems

To produce heat for one or more rooms logs can be burned on an open fire. These look nice, but tend to have low efficiencies - about 75% - 85% of the heat goes up the chimney. Open fires tend to produce smoke (unburnt volatile gases) as temperatures are not high enough throughout the fire to achieve complete combustion.

log stove

A more efficient alternative is a wood burning stove, which controls the air supply to the fire to achieve efficiencies of 70% or more. Approved stoves can be used in smoke control zones. Some stoves can also be fitted with back boilers to heat one or more radiators or domestic hot water. The user should know some basic principles of how to operate the stove to achieve maximum efficiency and minimum pollution.

Logs can also be burned in a ceramic stove. These have extensive internal flues and can retain heat for up to 24 hours after firing. They can be around 90% efficient and some can be used in smoke control zones.

log range

Another option is a range. Ranges can be used for cooking, heating water and central heating. However, most common solid fuel ranges are designed for use with coal and are not very efficient for burning wood. Specific wood-burning ranges are available from Europe and are far more effective.

Modern log boilers provide a more automated approach to wood-fired central heating. The boiler is manually charged with logs that then burn rapidly with forced ventilation and very high efficiencies (85% - 95%). The system includes a large hot water tank or heat accumulator - typically 1500 litres for a 30 kW boiler suitable for a 4 bedroom house - to store some of the heat produced for later distribution via a conventional pumped radiator circuit with standard thermostatic timer controls. A typical system would be fired every one to two days during winter and less often in warmer periods.

Photos of the log stove and kitchen range taken from the 'Biomass - All You Need to Know' CD and website

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Log Burning Systems To produce heat for one or more rooms logs can be burned on an open fire. These look nice, but tend to have low efficiencies - about 75% - 85% of the heat goes up the chimney. Open fires tend to produce smoke (unburnt volatile gases) as temperatures are not high enough throughout the fire to achieve complete combustion. A more efficient alternative is a wood burning stove, which controls the air supply to the fire to achieve efficiencies of 70% or more. Approved stoves can be used in smoke control zones. Some stoves can also be fitted with back boilers to heat one or more radiators or domestic hot water. The user should know some basic principles of how to operate the stove to achieve maximum efficiency and minimum pollution. Logs can also be burned in a ceramic stove. These have extensive internal flues and can retain heat for up to 24 hours after firing. They can be around 90% efficient and some can be used in smoke control zones. Another option is a range. Ranges can be used for cooking, heating water and central heating. However, most common solid fuel ranges are designed for use with coal and are not very efficient for burning wood. Specific wood-burning ranges are available from Europe and are far more effective. Modern log boilers provide a more automated approach to wood-fired central heating. The boiler is manually charged with logs that then burn rapidly with forced ventilation and very high efficiencies (85% - 95%). The system includes a large hot water tank or heat accumulator - typically 1500 litres for a 30 kW boiler suitable for a 4 bedroom house - to store some of the heat produced for later distribution via a conventional pumped radiator circuit with standard thermostatic timer controls. A typical system would be fired every one to two days during winter and less often in warmer periods. Photos of the log stove and kitchen range taken from the 'Biomass - All You Need to Know' CD and website <<< Previous: Buying Firewood Next: >>> Wood Chip	SEARCH Find a supplier For sale/wanted Member's Area In this section Technical WFW Publications Grants Wood fuel for a better landscape Sustainability Local jobs for local people The cleanest fuel Where to buy wood fuel How to burn wood Quality Chimneys Wood fuel costs Logs & Firewood Buying Firewood Log Burning Systems Wood Chip Wood pellets Electricity Case Studies External links -->
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