| Many people have discovered the practical value | | | | achieve the same degree of heating. Traditional |
| of closed-system, wood-burning stoves for | | | | open fires can lose up to 90% of their heat |
| heating their homes. But apart from the | | | | output up the chimney. |
| practicality of these systems, there are | | | | Additionally, because closed-system stoves burn |
| environmental reasons for preferring a | | | | wood at higher temperatures than open fires, |
| closed-system fireplace. | | | | more of the fuel is converted to heat. The |
| Closed-system wood-burning stoves are | | | | emission of particles is reduced to a minimum - |
| environmentally friendly in a number of ways. | | | | generally well within the limits set by local |
| Firstly, the wood fuel they use is a renewable | | | | authorities. Modern closed-combustion fireplaces |
| resource. Responsible forestry ensures that new | | | | emit as few as 2 to 4 grams of particles per |
| trees are planted at the same rate as old ones | | | | hour, less than the emissions of a diesel engine. |
| are cut down, which ensures that wood will be | | | | Aesthetically speaking, closed-combustion |
| available for future generations. A tree which dies | | | | fireplaces are increasingly being seen as an |
| and rots naturally releases more greenhouse | | | | important feature of a living space. In order to |
| gases into the atmosphere than if the wood was | | | | suit the decor of any room, they are available in a |
| burned at a high temperature in a | | | | variety of styles. These include streamlined |
| closed-combustion stove. | | | | contemporary models and classic traditional units. |
| Secondly, closed-system fireplaces are extremely | | | | There are models designed to be fitted in wall |
| energy efficient, with as much as 80% of the | | | | cavities, to be inserted in existing fireplace |
| heat produced being radiated into the room. This | | | | openings, as well as wall-mounting and |
| means that less fuel needs to be burned to | | | | free-standing units. |