The Future of Log Burners?

Hwam are pioneering woodburner tech

Hwam Woodburners has been making waves in the industry since the 1970’s when they were first interested in manufacturing wood burning stoves that performed as well in peoples homes as they did in the labs. Hwam have pursued the idea that:

If we can achieve it under test conditions, consumers should be able to achieve it in their homes.

It was from this idea the Autopilot system was first conceived: Hwam soon realised that by minimising user input in the air supply, they could achieve a more complete combustion and give their customers similar real world efficiency ratings compared against their tests as well as significant fuel savings. On average the standard Hwam autopilot system can save you as much as 40% on your fuel bills compared against a stove that relies on you manually adjusting the air supply.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Hwam’s Autopilot and IHS systemsin more detail and discuss if this is the future of logburners.

Hwam's Autopilot System

The Autopilot system is a game-changer for anyone looking to achieve optimal combustion in their woodburner without constant manual adjustments. This system is all about automation and control and as with all great inventions the idea is very simple. A metal coil is concealed within the firebox behind the firebricks that expands and contracts with the heat from the firebox opening and closing air supplies when required.
hwam autopilot
At first when the stove is cold and ready to light the primary air will be fully open providing as much oxygen in low to the fire bed as possible to ensure an optimum lighting. Once ignited the temperature starts to rise, the coil starts to expand operating a lever that begins to close down the primary air and open up the tertiary air switching from ignition to main burn operation. From here the stove will continually adjust the amount of primary, secondary and tertiary air required based on the temperature inside the firebox. There are no sensors, no electronics, no batteries or mains power required, with Autopilot the stove is self-regulating and autonomous, meaning no user input is required. All of this operation is neatly hidden on the back of the stove and covered with a heat shield for maximum discretion.
hwam 4510 log burner
Hwam 4510 Log Burner with Autopilot Air Controls

Hwam's IHS (Intelligent Heat System) Smart Control

While the Autopilot system from Hwam is the most efficient way of delivering combustion air into a stove, Hwam saw a way to make this system even more efficient with unbridled sensitivity and responsiveness. They realised the limitations with the Autopilot system and started to develop a system never seen before on a wood burning stove, integrating electronic air controls, temperature sensors and remote controls, the Intelligent Heat System was born.

The IHS takes the concept of efficient heating to the next level. Picking up on the improvements the mechanical autopilot system delivered, IHS took the principal of delivering exactly the right amount of air just when the stove requires it. Unlike traditional stoves that require a user to manually adjust the air controls as and when they remember/think they need to, and picking up from the drawbacks in response time from the mechanical autopilot system.

hwam smart control app

App Control: With the Hwam smartphone app, and an IHS fitted Hwam stove, you have remote control over your woodburner. This means you can adjust settings, monitor temperature, and even schedule heating times, all from your phone.

Save an entire crate of logs a year with a Hwam Stove!

Lets look at it another way, if you added two logs to your stove every charge, in a 10 hour period a manual input stove (without Autopilot) you would need on average 16 logs. With a Hwam stove and the Autopilot system you would only need 10 logs to achieve the same nominal heat output. So based on this if you used your stove in this way for 60 days. you would save approximately 360 logs, which is the same amount as you get in an entire cubic meter crate* of firewood!

The ability to get the same amount of heat from less logs compared against a traditionally manually controlled stove is a welcome addition to any household. So while there are stoves available that boost a higher efficiency rating than Hwam stoves, how many stoves could save you this much fuel in a year?

create of firewood
Potential Wood Savings with a Hwam*

Are they more efficient than other stoves?

Whether they are the most efficient log burners available to buy right now, might not be the right question to ask, but they are certainly worth considering for anyone looking to get the most from installing a woodburner in their home.

Hwam Woodburners’ Autopilot and IHS systems are undoubtedly innovative and can significantly enhance the efficiency and user-friendliness of log burners. To determine if these systems are right for you, consider factors like the size of your space, your wood source, and your heating goals. Additionally, comparing Hwam’s technology with other top log burner brands on the market can help you make an informed decision.

The Future of Log Burners? We Think So...

 In our assessment, Hwam’s Autopilot and IHS air control systems represent a glimpse into the future of wood burning control systems. As we move towards a more environmentally conscious era, where regulations on emissions are becoming increasingly stringent, these automatic air control systems are paving the way for cleaner, more efficient wood burning.

We anticipate that more manufacturers will recognise the importance of such systems and embrace similar technology in the coming years to ensure their stoves perform at their best, both in terms of efficiency and environmental responsibility. By doing so, they not only meet the demands of today’s eco-conscious consumers but also prepare for any potential future regulation changes, ultimately contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for all.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe
To Our Newsletter

Be notified about new products, tips to get more out of your stove and industry updates.