Once the air inlets are open, you can now lay out the wood. To do this, you can opt for a reverse ignition technique, which promotes slower, more controlled combustion. This method is ideal for producing heat that is durable, efficient and less polluting.
Source info : Ademe
Step 1: positioning the logs
Place the largest logs at the bottom of the insert to create a solid base.
Step 2: type of wood for lighting
Next, place ignition materials such as dry kindling, twigs or firelighters on top of the logs.
Step 3: Shaping and structuring the wood for your insert
Next, place larger pieces of wood on top of the kindling, forming a pyramid or teepee structure.
Step 4: Light your wood
Once the structure is built, light the kindling.
Once the fire is lit and well established, adjust the insert’s air inlets in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to optimize and control combustion. If combustion is not supplied with sufficient air, it may be more polluting and less efficient. On the other hand, if too much air is introduced during combustion, the wood will burn out very quickly.
Here’s a video showing you how to light your fire:
The different types of wood inserts for your fireplace
Today, there are several types of wood-burning inserts, but when it comes to the materials used to manufacture inserts, there are currently two main categories of inserts: steel inserts and cast-iron inserts.
Steel inserts :
Many manufacturers offer steel inserts because of their cost. Indeed, being generally less expensive than cast iron, steel inserts are more attractive from a financial point of view. In addition, they have the advantage of heating faster than cast iron. However, they have less thermal inertia than cast iron.
Cast-iron inserts for fireplaces:
Cast-iron inserts feature excellent thermal inertia, with a high capacity to store and gradually diffuse heat. This enables them to continue warming the room for some time even after the fire has gone out. What’s more, cast-iron inserts are renowned for their long-term durability.
From a technological point of view, there are also differences depending on the model.
Natural convection:
These inserts primarily use natural convection to distribute heat around the room. Air is drawn into the insert through the lower part of the appliance, then heated by contact with the hearth and rising naturally before being distributed into the room via grilles. This heating concept has the advantage of not requiring complex electrical or mechanical components. It also distributes heat evenly throughout the room.
However, some manufacturers, such as SEGUIN, have perfected this system by developing technologies such as double combustion or double flow to further improve the appliance’s performance, but also reduce the gases that escape from it.
Double combustion:
To enhance the performance of wood-burning inserts, SEGUIN has designed inserts with a double combustion system. This process consists of injecting oxygen at a certain height inside the firebox, causing the partially burnt gases to burn before being released into the atmosphere. This ‘second’ combustion almost completely eliminates unburned residues.
Double flow :
A second type of insert developed by manufacturers is the double-flow insert. Unlike double combustion, where oxygen is introduced at a certain height into the firebox, with double-flow all oxygen is introduced at the hearth plate (the plate at the bottom of the insert). This system creates two flows: primary air through the grate and secondary air that envelops the fuel, trapping and re-burning combustion gases. This new method of air injection considerably reduces combustion emissions and improves appliance performance.
forced convection inserts :
Forced convection inserts are distinguished by the use of an integrated ventilation system to accelerate the circulation of hot air in the room. This device, usually a fan, actively propels the heated air through the insert, distributing it more rapidly and evenly throughout the environment. However, it’s important to note that forced convection inserts require a power source to operate the fan. Consequently, in the event of a power cut, the heating capacity of the insert could be compromised.
What are the components of wood-burning inserts?
To better understand how a wood-burning insert works, it’s important to grasp its composition.
- The initial component of a wood-burning insert is the glass door. In fact, inserts are equipped with a glass door that allows you to observe the combustion chamber, and thus appreciate the beauty of the burning log. This glass also serves to protect you from any sparks or ashes that may be projected. It also helps to transmit heat by radiation.
- The second element you’ll find in a wood-burning insert is the combustion chamber. This is the heart of the insert, where the wood is burned to generate heat. Inside the combustion chamber is the ash pan, which collects the ashes.
- Then there are the smoke deflectors. This part is of major importance in the operation of the wood-burning insert, as it guides the smoke towards the flue. In effect, the deflector creates a link between the combustion chamber and the flue. Without the baffles, the smoke from combustion would escape too quickly, impairing the quality of combustion and therefore the efficiency of the appliance.
- Finally, there are the controls for regulating the air supply, whether primary or secondary. These controls offer the possibility of adjusting the opening of the air inlets, allowing you to control the quality of combustion. At the start of combustion, we recommend opening them fully to let as much air as possible into the appliance. Thereafter, it is advisable to reduce the opening once combustion is well underway.
The advantages of wood-burning inserts for your fireplace
Choosing a wood-burning insert for heating can have many advantages.
First of all, a wood-burning insert doesn’t involve any major installation costs. In fact, given that you already have a fireplace, installation is greatly simplified, which is not necessarily the case for installing a boiler.
The second advantage is the performance offered by the wood-burning insert. A wood-burning insert is designed to maximize the efficiency of wood combustion, which means it produces more heat using less wood than your old fireplace. By way of comparison, on average, an open fireplace has an efficiency of 15%, compared with between 65 and 85% with a wood-burning insert(Ademe – Comment bien se chauffer au bois). A significant heating saving today.
A third advantage of the wood-burning insert is its reliability. As explained above, wood-burning inserts are simple heating appliances, with no electronics, which means fewer problems. In fact, the simplicity of the appliance’s operation guarantees high reliability.
Another advantage of a wood-burning insert is the cleanliness of your room. Indeed, as the insert is closed, it will no longer dirty your room with the dust or ashes it produces.
What’s more, a wood-burning insert also has the advantage of reducing pollutant emissions, thanks to optimized combustion and systems such as double combustion or double flow.
Finally, the wood-burning insert is a heating appliance that is independent of electricity. So, in the event of a power cut, you’ll still be able to heat your home!
What maintenance is required for a wood-burning insert?
To ensure the long-term performance and preservation of your wood-burning appliance, it’s essential to maintain it properly.
The first essential step is to regularly empty your wood-burning insert’s ashtray. It’s essential to ensure that air can circulate normally within the combustion chamber to optimize combustion and, consequently, the performance of your appliance.
The second necessary maintenance action to be carried out on a recurring basis is cleaning the glass of your wood-burning insert. To do this, you can use a damp cloth and well-cooled ashes:
- First, let your insert cool down.
- Next, dampen your cloth slightly with water.
- Immerse the damp cloth in the sieved ashes.
- Rub the glass, starting from the center and using circular movements.
- Rinse with a damp sponge.
The third action to take is to clean the inside of your appliance and the hot-air grilles. To do this, you can use a brush and an ash vacuum cleaner to clean the bottom of your appliance.
Finally, in addition to these quick maintenance measures, it is mandatory for all wood-burning appliances to have a maintenance certificate issued by a professional, certifying the conformity of your appliance. You must also have your chimney swept once or twice a year, in accordance with local health regulations. A certificate will be issued to you, and may be required by your insurer in the event of a claim.
Here’s a video on good and bad practice:
How powerful should your wood-burning insert be?
When the question of wattage is raised, several factors need to be taken into consideration before defining it.
Indeed, depending on the location of your home, the volume you wish to heat, and above all the quality of your insulation, the power required for your insert will not be the same. It’s crucial to bear in mind that an oversized wood-burning insert, operating below its optimum speed, risks impairing combustion, leading to increased emissions of polluting gases and premature wear and tear on the heating system.
Furthermore, the quality of the insulation has a major influence on the power required. That’s why we recommend that you first consider improving your insulation before buying a wood-burning insert.
As you can see, the right wattage for your wood-burning insert depends largely on the volume to be heated, as well as the quality of the insulation. As a guide, ADEME suggests the following power recommendations:
- 5 kW for a new home
- Between 5 and 9 kW for a well-insulated home
- Between 9 and 12 kW for very poorly insulated homes. As a general reference, we can also use :
- 1 kW for every 10 m² or 1 kW for every 25 m³.
So, as explained above, it’s difficult to determine the exact power required for your insert without knowing the specifics of your home and the quality of its insulation. It is therefore advisable to seek professional advice to ensure that the wattage chosen for your appliance is appropriate, enabling you to save on heating costs by opting for a correctly sized appliance.
How much does it cost to install and obtain a wood-burning insert?
The price of a wood-burning insert varies widely, depending on your home and the installation.
In fact, when buying a wood-burning insert, you need to take into account not only the price of the appliance itself, but also the cost of installation.
A wood-burning insert costs between 3,000 and 5,000 euros.
As far as installation is concerned, if your chimney is in good condition and the flue is functional, the insert can be installed very quickly. All you have to do is insert the insert into the chimney and connect it to the flue. Installing an insert under these conditions can cost around 500 euros. Of course, this price is only a guide, and may depend on other factors that may increase or reduce the cost.
On the other hand, if your installation requires the creation of a chimney, flue and casing, and this work has to be carried out over several days, installation can be as expensive as the insert itself. You can expect to pay around 1,500 euros for a complex installation. Of course, this figure is only a guide and may vary depending on your home and the extent of the work involved.
Finally, to help you buy a wood-burning insert, there are government grants ranging from 800 to 2,500 euros, thanks to the ANAH (Agence Nationale pour l’Amélioration de l’Habitat), which offers Ma Prime Rénov’, a subsidy associated with all energy renovation work involving an RGE (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) professional.
