Creating A Suitable Indoor Environment When Heating With Wood-burning Stoves And Fireplaces

Who can resist? When the temperature drops, a crackling fire creates a cozy atmosphere that makes cold winter days more comfortable. But wood-burning stoves and fireplaces have a far greater impact on the indoor climate than you might think. They dry out the air quickly and increase levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter. Not only does this have an unpleasant effect on your indoor climate, it can also affect your health. We'll show you how you can enjoy a crackling fireplace while maintaining a cozy climate throughout your living room.

wood stove

The effects of heating with wood on the indoor climate
If you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace during the cold winter months, you should pay more attention than usual to maintaining the ideal temperature and ventilating the room regularly. This is because burning wood usually draws oxygen from the indoor air to prevent the fire from going out. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide in the air increases and must be replenished with fresh air.
In the presence of high temperatures, the humidity of the indoor air can fall below the recommended 40-60% and become too dry, this is known as 'dry hot air'. Low humidity can make people feel uncomfortable and irritate mucous membranes. This is one of the reasons we are more likely to get sick in the winter.

indoor wood fireplace

Properly Heating Your Fireplace to Reduce Harmful Particulate Matter
But there are actually things you can do to minimize particulate matter emissions. Try to avoid improper use, such as overfilling the stove or fireplace, adding new firewood too late, improperly lighting the fire, or burning newspaper. The way you store your firewood is also important and can make a difference. Using properly stored dry firewood, such as not leaning directly against a wall, is just one point. This results in fewer emissions when burning. This also helps to reduce particulate matter. The best solution for filtering fine dust and other harmful substances from the air is an air purifier or air cleaner.

indoor wood burner