Wood is a clean, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive energy source. When used for heating, wood brings comforting warmth and a friendly rustic atmosphere to the home. If the possibility of choice is one of the advantages of opting for this type of energy, it is necessary to emphasize that choosing firewood is not done at random. Indeed, it is essential to select the species of firewood according to your habit of use and your needs.
The advantages and disadvantages of wood heating
Wood is an environmentally friendly fuel. It is the ideal choice if you want clean energy to warm you. Heating with wood has many advantages over other types of heating energy. Using wood allows for optimal comfort in a house. Indeed, using a wood stove provides heating the house gradually.
This method of heating avoids a sudden change in temperature, which increases its comfort use. Moreover, wood is the cheapest fuel on the market for heating. This price represents one of the most important advantages of wood.
It is at the level of performance that wood is often criticized. Indeed, despite the concrete advantages, it is often used as backup heating, especially when temperatures are at their lowest. However, there are effective ways to improve comfort, especially wood heating performance. This concerns, in particular, the choice of the heating device and the type of wood to be used.
The importance of choosing the type of firewood
It is essential to choose the type of wood to be used for heating. In principle, all types of wood can be used, except for reclaimed wood. Indeed, the presence of coatings, such as varnish or paint on this wood makes it unsuitable for use for heating.
In addition, choosing suitable firewood greatly influences the efficiency and thermal performance of the fuel. Among the criteria of choice, it is necessary to consider the origin, nature, and specific characteristics of the chosen wood species.
1. Oak
Oak is a plank of solid wood and particularly hard. This is advantageous for heating. It is especially appreciated for the warmth of the flames it produces. Indeed, oak burns slowly and produces little smoke.
2. Ash
Ash makes it easy to light a fire with its thin bark, whether for a fireplace or a wood stove. It is also a solid wood that maintains constant heat in the house.
3. Braai
It is a very economical fuel. Indeed, South African origin’s braai or barbecue wood burns twice as long as the European variants without producing smoke.
4. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is also economical firewood. Eucalyptus gives off a lot of heat and burns longer than oak or beech.
Essential points to consider when choosing firewood.
In addition to the question of the species of wood, there are other criteria to consider in order to make the right choice.
The humidity level
Wood that is damp at the time of combustion burns less well and produces a lot of smoke. Dry wood can be recognized by its lightness and the sound it makes when knocked on (a short vibration, a hollow sound would indicate the presence of wood-eating insects). To dry properly, wood should be stored for about 2 years in a place protected from humidity.
The type of wood to use
Wood comes in several forms: wood chips, logs, chipped wood, briquettes, or pellets. Shredded wood and pellets increase heating performance.
The origin of the wood
To respect the ecological side of this concept, it is important to choose the right supplier. Always get your wood from an ecologically friendly supplier who cares about our planet.
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