The Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-11-02, Page 4column
Lueknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 2, 1983—Page 4
Renewed interest in heating homes with wood
By John and Kathie Stanbury
The idea of heating a home with wood is
not a new one. Some of us can remember the
old Quebec heaters, franklins and Findlay
cook stoves that were used not so long ago.
We can also remember hauling in piles of
wood each day, constantly tending the fire.
And, of course, arising each morning to icy
floors and a freezing house.
That's why when optional heating sources
became available, people didn't hesitate to
abandon the wood pile.
However, with the alarming prices of oil
and electricity, there has been a renewed
interest in wood heat. In fact, the whole
concept of wood burning has been revolu-
tionized, and an entirely new breed of wood
stove is emerging.
As a consumer, you are very apt to
become confused and easily misled while
choosing the wood stove for your individual
needs. Not only does every situation differ
(for example, size of home, insulation factor,
position of stove in home, and so on) but the
variety of stoves on the market from which to
choose, is absolutely mind boggling.
Do not despair, There are really only a few
basic designs and if you read this article and
its following sequels, you will be well armed
with helpful information for the ultimate
choice.
It is important to remember when
choosing a stove that you are initially
concerned with . three factors. These are
safety, efficiency and beauty. Safety is, of
course, most important but you may be
surprised to discover that it can't be
achieved without the aid of efficiency. The
two are inseparable. Also, in order to
achieve high efficiency levels, you must have
complete, or near complete, combustion of
the wood,
Wood is, a complex chemical compound.
The combustible elements are carbon and
hydrogen. Wood also contains water,
Approximately 20 per cent moisture for well
seasoned wood and over 50 per cent
moisture for green wood.
To burn completely, a log must go through
four states which are evaporation of water,
decomposition of wood by heat, combustion
of wood gases (volatiles) and combustion of
charcoal.
The temperature within the firebox must
reach 550 degrees Farenheit before the
gases will begin to ignite. These igniting
gases create tremendous heat. But, if the
embers are completely burned - that will
provide the most intense heat of all, This can
be described as complete combustion and,
for optimum heat B,T.U.s per pound of
wood, should be your primary goal as a wood
burner.
ES IN
SEIGEL'S SHOES DOWNTOWN LONDON
CHILD'S LEATHER
OVER SIZE
BIG SHOES
MEWS to10
LAMS' t.ill
WIDE L HOES
Leather, Worm
Ton, "INOUK"
$2998,
AH bass
torlmort
worm Nb
(nine,
If combustion is complete, it produces two
clean gases: carbon dioxide and water
vapour. Unfortunately, the high temperature
and adequate air supply required for
complete combustion are seldom reached in
the average fire, Also, poor design can result
in unburned gases escaping up the chimney
where they condense and creosote will form.
Because it is so highly flammable, it is very
dangerous to have large deposits of creosote
in your chimney, or to have a stove with a
design which allows the flame to leap
directly up into your pipe.
More complete combustion is achieved
through a combinationof four different
concepts. They are airtight firebox, regula-
tion of air to fire, design of the firebox and
size of the firebox. Airtight means that the
construction of the unit is very solid and well
sealed with the only air feeding the flames
coming through the draft controls. By
adjusting these controls, you can actually
establish the rate at which the fire will burn.
Combine this with a compact, unique firebox
design which creates a turbulent airflow
pattern within the stove, and you have the
ingredients for full combustion.
That spells dollars in savings for you and
gives you the security of knowing you have a
safe, wood heating appliance for your
family's use.
While the choice of stove is a crucial
decision when you opt for wood heating, it
must be mentioned that there are other
considerations as well,
It is best to use well seasoned hardwood
for fuel. It provides the most heat, and, if
dry, causes Tess emissions. It also takes
longest to burn. A woodburner, no matter
which stove he has, should regularly check
his chimney and pipe for creosote, If it needs
cleaning, you can save dollars again by
purchasing a chimney brush and doing it
yourself.
Finally, when you are choosing a stove,
think small, A smaller stove burning hotter
fires will be much more energy efficient than
a large one with small, smoldering fires. It
should be cautioned, however, that your fire
can become too hot, and a wood stove
thermometer can be an invaluable tool in
aiding you to regulate the temperature
within the stove.
If you allow these basic principles, you will
discover wood burning to be an enjoyable
and highly gratifying experience. Now that
we have established why efficiency in a
woodstove is so important, we will discuss in
the next issue the different designs of wood
burning appliances, some of whish are truly
amazing for their efficiency,
SPECIAL PURCHASE
"SAVAGE" Children's Shoes
•Assorted Girls', Boys' styles
•Some Kid Proof' shoos Includ4d in
lot
INSULATION
Foolery ewes&
.corn., esrerfed cacao*
ens/ alas In lei.
M.d.1n
Mon's "Sorel" Winter Boots
Factory seconds, ieath•er taps,
rubber bat tams, r, r owable felt
liner.
Slzss7to14inlat.
Fibre
Therm
'KODIAK"
Arswtd cabea
filomMart. eletwo.
MEWS - Sr
'"
Ladies' Leather
Cowboy Styles
$Z9"s & $39"
•
MIH'S "Gear
HE 1NG TYPE
$3991
HUGE
CHOICE
WINTER
BOOTS
(BLOW IN]
CELLULOSE
IIVSULAT/OR!
Clean & Easy To Instal Very Economical,
Pre Retardant, Nos-Toxie, CMNC Append
INSULA1E NOW
FOR YEAR ROUND COMFORT
A BLOWER IS AVAILABLE FOR
INSTALLATION
len Cootie. Shuts ! to 12. VIEWS
SOFT SUEDE airman
"000111PINKS" Eva 6s, Week .
beeps, prey,_
/item strop Awad
Oa est,
Very AAeg*?#.
S,lros1fet9.
HENDERSON
LADS' LEATiMR
Factory socostells,
$5991
Sire fl
ROYS"-LAo1�Es'-Au LSAT !WPM "COUGAR" LACE -UP BOOTS 11
TAM COLOUR - WARM wawa
36
MAIN 1147111"
STORE DU AS WYTH "
AAS P4 MAA ETT
01re
Mtsvem "ivy
Paw 0' to I'', Ay raw. 2 PI. �.
LAo1Es SAMPLE SOU • OWLY
WINKSOOOTS 015.
HUGE CHOICE 2 PIr.
are'hots
3.30 Ciaronc Q York
BUILDING COME
J.W. HENDERSON LIMITED,
r
W KNOW, ONT.
PHONE (519) 528-3118.
Business Hours Mon. to Fry. 8 a.rn to 5.0 p.m.
Sat. $ a.m. to Noon