How to fire responsibly
With a fireplace, you add warmth and coziness to your home, so preferably you have it on as much as possible. But you also want to be as environmentally conscious as possible, ensure a pleasant indoor climate and achieve optimum efficiency. Kalfire explains how to do that.
Since Jan. 1, the new European EcoDesign legislation has been in effect. It contributes to better air quality and lower energy consumption. This also brings with it the necessary guidelines for wood fires. Because where old (open) fireplaces had poor efficiency and were often polluting, today’s fireplaces have improved considerably. Thus, Kalfire’s fireplaces all comply with this current guideline. They feature A and A+ ECO labels and have efficiencies of up to 86%. In short, with a modern fireplace you contribute to a cleaner living environment. Once you have the fireplace, however, there are a few more things to look out for.
Leave it to the professional
While DIY is fun and often encouraged, installing a fireplace is still something best left to the licensed installer. Because only if the fireplace is installed correctly and according to the applicable guidelines will you get the optimal efficiency and take advantage of the cleanest possible combustion. It would be a shame to miss out on that.
Know what you are stoking
When choosing your fuel, there are a number of things to consider. First of all: use local wood. Transportation is still one of the biggest polluters. In addition, choose clean, dry coppice that has not been painted or impregnated. And: don’t forget the labels. When you choose FSC or PEFC wood, you are using wood from responsibly managed forests. In this way, you are also doing your part in this.
Poke the right stick at it
Lighting the fireplace can be done in many ways, but only one is the right one. At least, if your goal is to minimize particulate emissions and wood consumption, but want high efficiency. Fire according to the “Swiss” method, light the fire from above and leave the elevator door ajar for a few minutes until the wood burns well. Only then do you close the door.
Furthermore, one layer of blocks is sufficient. Do not refill until the logs are completely burned and a glow bed has formed. While firing, leave the secondary air supply partially or completely open. Are you ready? Then let your fireplace cool completely with the door closed.
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