The discussion of the smog caused by the fireplaces was the subject of reflection aimed at addressing the phenomenon, proposals and interventions of famous people, citizens who were restless trying to understand why burning woods in the fireplace, was an act of environmental unconsciousness. Likewise all the biofuel manufacturing industry was trying hard to find a solution
In all these, a possible answer could be given to the energy fireplaces.
Similarities – differences with an old-style fireplace
At first, the differences, which present a conventional old-style fireplace – compared to an energy one, are virtually nil – at least at least. In fact, however, the energy fireplace has a higher efficiency, polluting the atmosphere much less, because its hearth is closed while burning most of the exhaust gases that are released. Both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are burned before they go into the atmosphere before they are released.
What separates a classic – conventional fireplace from a new type, energy, is the big difference in performance. In particular, the degree of efficiency of a conventional fireplace is about 15%, while the equivalent of an energy is between 70-85%.
Cost of purchase – installation
For the purchase and installation, the required money starts at 2,000 and can reach up to 5,000 euros. If we assume a heating period of 4 months and the use of the heating system 8 hours per day, with average insulation of the house, then we need about 1700 euros in oil (at a market price of 1.28 € / liter) and 840 € on wood purchase price of 140 € / m3). A saving rate, which in practice can reach 50%
What is required for installation?
There is no need for a fireplace to be installed in a home. It can be constructed from the beginning and in this case there should be the appropriate space for the chimney placement. Usually, we see the fireplaces being placed on external walls. Nevertheless, the most correct position is in the center of a space, so that the heat dissipates evenly.
Construction materials
Energy fireplaces are usually made of steel or cast iron – or a combination of both – while the chimney is made of stainless steel or built. Hobs of firebricks or other refractory materials are added to the interior of the fireplace, which increases its performance.
It is important to have a complete study of the space and the needs of the home. Given that the energy requirements of a building are different from one in the colder areas, it is more likely that in the second case we will achieve a faster damping as, the heavier the winter, the more energy is needed to keep our house at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, to be sustainable.
Can it be connected to the radiators of our home?
There are also several classes of energy fireplaces that are connected to the radiator, under floor heating or fan coil (looks like air condition and emits hot air). Also, it is possible to place air ducts for the diffusion of hot air throughout the space. In this case, a type of fan is required, which in some commercial fireplaces already exists, while others are optional.
How they are cleaned and how often
The chimney of the house should be cleaned approximately once a year and always depending on the use, while the cleaning of the fireplace differs in nothing from the cleaning of a conventional one. All energy fireplaces have a dust collector in the center of the fireplace. The container must be cleaned regularly and the cleaning time depends on the frequency of use of the fireplace, but it is less than the ash cleaning of a conventional fireplace.
In any case, it is not excluded that a conventional fireplace can be transformed into an energetic, as it is placed in the existing one and is a “cassette” type, small in size to fit into the old one.
