Wood Furnace Heating Systems
Wood furnaces are a simple and environmentally friendly way to heat your home. The crackling of logs also provides a unique and cosy ambience.
Burning WoodWhile wood furnace heating systems are now a minority option in Australia compared to electricity and gas, many Australians still rely on wood, particularly in more remote regions of the country where fossil fuels are more difficult to come by. Most wood-fired heating is accomplished using wood stoves. Slow, airtight combustion heaters are the most fuel-efficient. Typically, a wood stove consists of a large metal body with a door at the front for loading in more wood, and a chimney for carrying away the smoke. A stone or masonry hearth sits under the stove to protect the floor, and a wall shield made from the same materials sits between the stove and the wall. Some wood stoves also come with a fan for spreading hot air more quickly.
Environmental AdvantagesWood-fired furnaces and heating systems are often seen as a green option compared to burning oil or gas. Unlike fossil fuels, burning wood taken from sustainable sources is carbon-neutral, or at least close to it. This is because the tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it grows, and only this same carbon dioxide is released when the tree is burned. Users of wood stoves do have to be careful, as burning inappropriate fuel or using an inefficient stove can be bad for the environment as it produces excessive wood smoke. However, this problem can be avoided by using dry, untreated wood instead of wet wood or scraps, and using a well-designed, efficient stove.
AccessoriesUsing your wood furnace can be easier with the right accessories. A fire guard is especially important if you have children in the house, as furnaces become hot during use and can cause serious injury if touched. Wood stoves also require cleaning in order to keep them burning cleanly and efficiently. A variety of tools make this easier, including metal scoops for digging out ash and chimney brushes for cleaning soot out of the flue.
Other Furnace TypesNot all wood furnaces burn logs. Pellet stoves are similar to wood stoves in function, but run on small pellets that are typically made from recycled and processed wood. Pellets burn more efficiently than logs, although they typically require electricity to feed pellets into the burner. Multi-fuel stoves also work like wood stoves but are more versatile as they can be fed using materials other than wood such as briquettes.
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