When heating with a fireplace, it’s not just the wood that matters, but also how the combustion chamber is used. An often overlooked point can make a noticeable difference.
Anyone who heats with a fireplace can get significantly more heat from the same wood – if the combustion is as optimal as possible. Studies show: Under ideally controlled conditions, the heating output of a wood stove can be increased by up to 20 percent. A simple move can help support such conditions.
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Ash in the fireplace: This is how it affects combustion and efficiency
Many fireplace owners completely clear out the combustion chamber after each fire. However, what seems neat doesn’t always make sense. A thin layer of ash in the oven can help stabilize combustion and reduce heat loss.
This is pointed out by both Wood dealer firewood Breuer as well as that Fireplace specialist Feuerhaus Kiewel there. The ash acts like an insulating and reflective layer in the combustion chamber: it keeps the embers hotter for longer, ensures more even temperatures and prevents too much heat from being lost downwards. This allows the wood to burn out more completely.
Ash in the ground increases the efficiency of the fireplace
Technically, the effect is easy to explain. If the wood lies directly on the oven floor, some of the energy is released into the surface. A thin layer of ash reduces this heat loss. At the same time, the embers are retained for longer, so that less energy escapes unused through the chimney. It is important to get the right amount: If the ash layer is too thick, it can hinder the draft and worsen combustion.
The efficiency gain of up to 20 percent cannot be attributed solely to the ash layer. It is based on a scientific study of wood stoves with optimally controlled combustion in which air supply, temperature and oxygen content are precisely coordinated. However, a thin layer of ash can support such favorable conditions.
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