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Returning home on a bitter winter’s night, few things can rival the comfort and warmth offered by a crackling log fire.
And while the idea of using wood as a fuel may appear to some an overly-romantic vision of country life, in reality it’s a wholly sustainable way of heating your home. In fact, it’s one of the most environmentally-friendly heating methods available.
During their life, trees take in carbon dioxide. This is released when they die and decompose, so, effectively, burning wood makes no greater impact on carbon emissions than letting the wood rot down naturally.
Most woods burn more efficiently if stored and dried well ahead of use. This is because freshly-chopped wood has a high water-content, and will smolder ineffectively rather than giving off a glowing heat. Storing in a covered, well-aired area for a couple of years (known as seasoning) helps you get the best out of the wood when you eventually start burning it.
As a general rule, hardwoods are highly efficient after seasoning, burning slowly for a long time. Softwoods tend to provide a shorter – but hotter – burst of flames.
Below is a look at the properties of various commonly available woods, which should help you decide on the ideal fuel for your winter fire:
Among the best firewood available, oak burns slowly and evenly for long periods of time. It does, however, require a considerable amount of seasoning before it will burn efficiently.
Compared to most woods, ash is relatively easy to saw - and it’s one of very few that will burn well unseasoned. Produces excellent heat and a satisfying flame.
Birch makes a lively fire, but burns very quickly. The bark was originally known as ‘campers’ friend’, as it can help start a fire even among a selection of damp woods.
Provides good heat and a significant flame, but has a tendency to ‘spit’ – which detracts from its viability as firewood.
Spruces make popular Christmas trees, and burning might be seen as a convenient way of disposing with them after twelfth night. Unfortunately, the wood burns all too quickly and sparks badly – far from ideal for an open log fire.
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