Design and Updating Your Heater

Fireplaces Dominate Living Spaces

Did you know that not all rooms within our homes are created equal when it comes to creating those spaces where unforgettable memories and enlightening conversations take place. Whilst in the USA recently, Glenn attended a presentation about a study performed in Wisconsin. It was revealed that survey participants said the most important rooms of the house were firstly, the living or family room, then kitchen, which beat places such as the bedroom and back yard by a long shot.

Their findings suggest rooms with features such as fireplaces and high ceilings evoke positive emotions that increase feelings of welcoming, relaxation and coziness. When asked to evaluate their current homes participants indicated that rooms with fireplaces were much more likely to be associated with the uplifting emotions people crave.

Thinking About Renovating?

Fireplaces and wood heaters are typically the dominant element in rooms lucky enough to have them, and the anchor around which furnishings are organized. In fact, most fireplaces refuse to be ignored, whether they’re beautiful or ugly. And therein lies the problem: What if your fireplace is clad in dated tile or discoloured brick, or your mantel looks out of proportion or out of place? (McKeough, 2019).

If you like your fireplace, chances are you’ll like your whole room a lot better. So why not renovate? Built-in fireplaces can have the mantle or brick façade painted, and the mantle can also be changed or swapped out altogether, significantly changing the look of your room.

Not Broken, but Very Inefficient

Reminder

Your wood heater is 20+ years old, but it still works right? Consider changing your Turn your firebox fan off when burning overnight as this cools the firebox increasing smoke wood heater for a new efficient emissions. model. Be amazed by how much more heat output is achieved, whilst using less wood. Modern wood heaters have significantly increased efficiency ensuring less smoke production at all stages of burning, benefiting your neighbourhood. Yes, you may not get quite as long an overnight burn, but using a SmartBurn can help with that!

Choosing a New Model

A quick search will find many modern designs that will compliment different styles of home architecture too; it doesn’t have to be a boring black square box. Since August 2019 all new wood heaters available for sale within Australia meet a new minimum standard of 60% efficiency and have particle emissions not greater than 1.5g/kg, with many performing far better than these minimums. Be sure to investigate www.certifiedwoodheaters.com.au to check the performance and certification of your new dream model.

Your flue kit also needs to meet Australian Standards, further ensuring your safety.

Buy the right size; A heater that is too large for an area will have to be turned down too often and too small a heater can result in over-firing, shortening the life of the heater.

Fun Fact

Completed in March 2019 and standing 18 storeys high ‘Mjostarnet’ housing The Wood Hotel in Norway is the tallest timber building in the world.

Buildings made with crosslaminated timber use less than half the carbon emissions of structures using steel and concrete. “If we are going to deal with climate change, it’s all about moving away from carbon intensive building materials.” (Ackerley, 2019).

Concerned about climate change?

Heat your home with wood. The USA EPA, among other global organisations, have determined firewood is a Carbon Neutral greenhouse gas emitter.