Why We Love Small Woodburners (And You Should Too!)
Installing Small Woodburners Safely A small woodburner can add warmth to any house no matter if it's a small house or an outdoor cabin. There are certain rules you must follow in order to install your stove safely. These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible items. This guide is here to help. Room Size Woodburners come in a range of outputs, and it's crucial to consider the size of your room when selecting the stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too large for their house. This could negatively impact the efficiency and performance of the stove. This is why it's essential to visit a showroom in order to find out what the ideal woodburner size is for your household and make use of a stove sizing calculator to figure out the amount of heat the stove will generate. A good guideline is to take the length the width and height of the room in meters and then multiply them. Divide this number by 14 and you'll have an approximate estimation of the amount of heat required. This is an approximate guide. large wood burner , such as the amount of insulation in a home and the number of walls outside, or the size of the windows in a space, can affect the actual heat output required. A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is required for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is completed efficiently and the stove doesn't get too hot, which could decrease its efficiency and create excessive soot deposits on the glass of the stove and inside the chimney. It is also important to know that the small woodburner should be installed at a specific distance from non-combustible and combustible surfaces with a certain value. These parameters will be explained in the handbook of the manufacturer so make sure you adhere to these when installing your stove and following these guidelines. Keep your stove free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safety of your wood burner. Flue System The flue system is the passageway through which the exhaust gases generated by your woodburning stove pass through to be emitted out. This helps to maintain clean indoor air by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue stops heat from being transferred to combustible materials in your home. This reduces the risk of smoke or fire damage. The flue is an essential component of your stove or fireplace and it is essential to take care of it. You can do this by regularly cleaning the flue, and ensuring it has proper ventilation. If your chimney is clogged, you may need to get an expert for inspection and cleaning. Creosote can accumulate in the flue as a result of the flammable substances of burning wood. If it builds up to a significant amount, it can cause a fire, causing chimney fires and other problems. There are a variety of flues for your fireplace or woodburning device, including double-wall flues and masonry systems. Masonry chimneys are constructed out of mortar and bricks and double-wall flue systems comprise a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be used with most fireplaces, but they should be inspected by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the lining and chimney are operating properly. It is possible to use a flexible liner if you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of being relined. This will give you a smooth surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. Liner options are available in different dimensions and can be put in either internally or externally depending on the layout of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and improves efficiency. The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes that do not have chimneys. They are simple to set up and feature a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth on the inside and textured on the outside, which is ideal for achieving high temperatures. They can be used in conjunction with double-wall chimneys as well as masonry chimneys however they can only be placed in houses that are compliant with strict building regulations. Distances from Combustible Surfaces When you are choosing a woodburner the space around the stove will be a major factor. You don't need to place your small woodburner too close to combustibles as they can quickly get extremely hot and start a fire. The majority of woodburners have guidelines for the distance from surfaces that are flammable you should keep them. This information can be found in the stove's instruction manual and is typically stated in terms of distances to the front, rear and sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type of wood burner and the heat output of the wood burner. To avoid any dangers from arising, we strongly advise you always follow the specific guidelines set by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance performed by a professional are key to ensure the safety of your woodburner. During these inspections your woodburner technician can check for any potential safety or health issues and make sure you're following the right guidelines to protect your home and family. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors near your woodburner and ensure they are in good condition. To reduce the risk that combustibles reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a long distance between them and combustibles. The manufacturer will typically specify this in the manual for the stove that you can download from their website. You can install wall protectors to decrease the minimum clearances for your stove as a way to keep that space. These have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to be able reduce the clearances safely. A wall shield consists of a thin metal frame that is placed over the stove's back and covers the flue system. It is a barrier that prevents the walls from heating and igniting materials that are combustible behind them. This is a particularly good option for new build homes in which the structure typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not provide much protection from high temperatures from a woodburner. Shielding Combustible Surfaces Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat. This means that there is a danger of causing damage to walls around the stove as well as in the close vicinity. The best way to prevent this is to put up a wall shield, which will reduce the heat emitted by the stove and help to shield the wall. These wall protectors come in many different designs, ranging from simple heat shields to complex built-in models. The most effective wall protections blend brick and metal to stop the heat from the stove from getting to the walls and reflecting it away. The kind of wood used to burn in the stove is an important factor to consider. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote that can block the fireplace and increase the risk of fire. It is recommended to use only seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will ensure that the fire is hot enough to burn off any moisture, and also reduce the buildup of creosote. Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been processed and seasoned. Pine is not a good option, as it tends to produce a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance which can cause creosote that looks like tar in the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended due to its susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when it is removed of its natural habitat. There is a woodburner that will fit every budget and space. The choice of the best woodburner is vital to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. You can cut down on fuel costs by not using larger and more expensive stoves.