Question: What wood burning systems are available to me?
Answer: Wood burning systems vary considerably in both design and operating efficiency. There are six basic types of wood heating units.
Conventional fireplaces - The conventional fireplace is used in nearly 50% of all homes burning wood. This type of wood burning unit has an operating efficiency rating of about 10% meaning that only 10% of its energy makes it into the home as usable heat.
Convectional fireplaces - The convectional fireplace is a metal fabricated fireplace with a double wall around the firebox. Hot air between the walls is returned as usable heat. This type of wood burning unit has an operating efficiency rating of about 40%.
Fireplace inserts - The fireplace insert is a metal fabricated fireplace designed to fit into an existing conventional fireplace. It has a similar double wall around the firebox and hot air between the walls is returned as usable heat. This type of wood burning unit has an operating efficiency rating of about 40%.
Airtight stoves - Airtight stoves are the most popular wood heating unit sold in the United States. These stoves come with an airtight firebox and controlled air flow features for more precise burning. This type of wood burning unit has an operating efficiency rating of about 55%.
Non-airtight stoves - Non-Airtight stoves are otherwise known as Franklin stoves, pot-bellied stoves or parlor stoves. These types of wood burning units have an operating efficiency rating of about 25%.
Wood burning furnaces - Wood burning furnaces are the most expensive but also the most efficient of all the units. The central firebox of a furnace is usually attached to ducts. These types of wood burning units have an operating efficiency rating of about 55 to 65%.
