Installing Small Woodburners Safely
A small woodburner will add warmth to any house no matter if it's small or a cabin. There are certain rules that you must adhere to in order to put your stove in the right place.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible items. To help you, we've prepared this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners come in a range of outputs, and it's crucial to consider the size of your space when selecting the right stove. Many people make the error of purchasing a stove that is too large for their space and this could negatively impact the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is important to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that is Best wood burning stoves for your home and use a stove-sizing calculator to determine how much heat it will generate.
Multiply the length, width and the height of a room in metres. Then, divide this number by 14 to determine the approximate heat output required. This is however only a rough estimate and other factors like the insulation quality in the building, whether there are any exterior walls, or how large wood burner the windows are in the room will influence the actual output required.
A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is essential for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the contemporary wood burning stoves is burned efficiently and that the stove doesn't get too hot. This could decrease the efficiency of the stove and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass and inside the chimney.
It is also important to note that your small woodburner must be installed at a specified distance from non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. The manual of the manufacturer will explain these parameters, so be sure you refer to it when installing your stove. Make sure your stove is free of non-combustibles and combustibles in order to avoid fire safety issues and ensure safe operation of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the pathway through which the exhaust gases produced by your woodburning stove travel to be vented outside. This helps maintain the cleanliness of indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue stops heat from being transferred to combustible material within your home. This decreases the chance of fire or smoke damage.
It's important to maintain your flue which is an integral part of any fireplace or stove. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning your chimney and ensuring it has adequate ventilation. You may need to hire an expert to examine and clean your chimney if it's clogged. Creosote can accumulate in the flue due to the flammable substances of burning wood. If it builds up to an excessive level it could ignite, causing chimney fires and other issues.
There are a variety of flues that you can use for your fireplace or woodburning appliance including double-wall flues and masonry systems. Double-wall flues are constructed from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, however are typically constructed using mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys are compatible with a wide range of fireplaces, but they must be checked by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the chimney's lining is functioning properly.
You can use flexible liner in the event that you have an old masonry chimney that is in need of relining. This will provide a smooth surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. These are available in a variety of sizes, and can be fitted either externally or internally, depending on your fireplace layout. They also come with insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances efficiency.
Twin wall flue systems are a common choice for homes that do not have traditional chimneys. Easy to install, they feature a double-skinned Stainless Steel that is smooth inside and corrugated outside. This is perfect for high temperatures. They can be installed using masonry or double-wall chimneys. However, they are only allowed to be installed in homes that meet strict building codes.
Distances from combustible Surfaces
The amount of space you need to maintain around your stove is among the most important factors when choosing a woodburner. You don't want your new small woodburners woodburner to be too close to any combustible materials as they can become very hot and pose a fire hazard.
The majority of woodburners have guidelines on how far away from combustible surfaces you need to keep them. This information is available in the instruction manual of the stove and is typically stated in terms of distances from the rear, front and sides. However, these guidelines could differ based on the type of wood burner and the heat output they provide.
We strongly suggest that you always adhere to the guidelines that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional is important to ensure your woodburner remains in good working order.
During these inspections the woodburner technician will look for any potential safety or health concerns and ensure that you're following the right guidelines in order to protect your family and home. It's also advisable to install carbon monoxide detectors close to your woodburner and keep them in working order.
Certain woodburners require a large gap to be kept from combustible materials to decrease the chance of them reaching their ignition point. The manufacturer usually specifies this in the manual for the stove, which you can download from their website.
You can utilize a wall protector to reduce the clearances that are required for your stove as a way to keep that space. These have been tested and approved by the manufacturer to be able reduce the clearances safely.
A wall shield is a thin metal frame that protects the flue system on the back of the stove. It acts as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible material behind them. This is a good option, especially for newly built homes where the construction is mostly composed of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection against the high temperatures created by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat, which means that there is a chance of damage to walls around the stove as well as in the surrounding. Installing a wall protector will cut down on the heat coming from the stove, while also protecting the wall. Wall protectors are available in many styles, from simple heat shields to complex built-in models. The best wall protectors combine brick and metal to reflect heat away from the stove and prevent it from getting transferred to the walls.
The kind of wood that is burned in the stove must be taken into consideration. Certain types of wood are known to produce creosote, which can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase risk of fire. To prevent this from happening issue, it is recommended to use seasoned hardwood for stove use. This will ensure that the fire burns hot enough to burn off any moisture and reduce the accumulation of creosote.
Some examples of suitable hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a good choice because it releases a lot smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits within the flue system. Larch is a different kind of wood that is not recommended for use, since it is prone to Phytophthora Ramorum disease, and could cause health problems when removed from its natural habitat.
There's a woodburner to fit any budget and living space. It is essential to select the correct woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. You can cut down on fuel expenses by not using larger and more expensive stoves.