15
RECOMMENDED FUELS
•
Hetas Approval
Please note
that
Hetas Limited Appliance Approval
only
covers the use of wood and approved
smokeless fuels in this appliance.
Hetas
Limited Approval
does not cover the
use of other fuels, either alone or mixed
with wood, nor does it cover
instructions for the use of other fuels.
•
Defra Smoke Exemption
The
Alpha I AL905-SE stove is
approved by
Defra as an ‘exempted appliance’ to
allow the burning of wood in designated
UK Smoke Control Areas. It must, at all
times, be operated in accordance with
the instructions to minimise the amount
of smoke produced.
The following fuels are approved by
Hi-Flame for use in the AL905-SE:
•
Wood Logs
Only ever use dried, fully
seasoned chopped wood logs with a
moisture content of less than 20%.
Wood which is well seasoned makes
a distinctive ‘clack’ rather than a dull
‘thud’ when knocked together. It will
also feel much lighter than an
unseasoned log. Other indicators
include bark peeling away and cracking
and splitting around the outside.
Ideally wood should be seasoned
outdoors for between 18 to 24 months
– the harder the wood then the longer
the seasoning. It should be stacked off
the ground with plenty of space
between the logs to allow air
movement and with the top covered
to keep rain and snow out. Seasoned
wood will give you approximately 50%
more heat output than the equivalent
unseasoned log.
Most types of hardwood, for instance
Ash (generally regarded as the best),
Birch, Beech, Oak and Elm can be used.
However, avoid woods with a high
resin content. As a rule of thumb, the
heavier the wood, then the greater the
heat output and the longer burn time
– the time between refills. All of this is
providing it is fully seasoned wood.
Never use wet or unseasoned (green)
wood as this will cause nuisance smoke
and a very disappointing fire.
It could quickly result in the build up of
soot and creosote which, because of
the higher temperatures of stove flue
gases, could easily cause a flue or
chimney fire. In addition, burning wet
wood creates other environmental
problems, a less efficient fuel economy
and can eventually clog your flue
system and cowl. It will also reduce the
effectiveness of the stove’s Airwash
system thus causing staining and
blackening of the glass.
Wet or unseasoned would produces the
following poor performance:
• Hard to light fires
• Fires that are difficult to keep going
or to keep burning well
• Smoky fires with fewer flames which
are also of a dull orange colour
• Increased dense grey / blue smoke
from the chimney
• Shorter burn times
• Low heat output
• Dirty glass and firebricks
• Excessive and rapid creosote build-up
in the flue system and chimney
• Unpleasant smoky smells both inside
and sometimes outside the house
