Installing wood burning stoves on sale can bring warmth to any home, whether it is a small house or a cabin. There are certain rules that you must adhere to in order to install your stove safely.
These rules require you to keep certain distances between your stove and any combustible material. To assist you, we've put together this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a wide range of outputs. It's crucial to consider the size of your room when choosing a stove. Many people make the error of buying a wood burner that is too large for their space and this could have a negative impact on the performance and efficiency of the stove. This is why it's crucial to visit a showroom to determine what the ideal size of a woodburner is for your household and as well as to use a stove sizing calculator to determine how much heat the stove will generate.
A good guideline is to calculate the length the width and height of the room in metres and multiply these together. Divide this number by 14 and you will get an approximate estimate of the amount of heat needed. This is an approximate guide. Other elements, such as the amount of insulation within a home or the number of walls outside or the size of the windows in a room, can influence the actual heat output required.
A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is essential for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that the combustion of the wood is completed efficiently and the stove doesn't become too hot, which can reduce its efficiency and cause excessive soot accumulations on the glass of the stove and in the chimney.
It is also important to know that the small woodburner should be installed at a specific distance from both combustible and non-combustible surfaces with a certain value. The manual for the manufacturer will outline these parameters, so be sure you refer to it when installing your stove. Keeping your stove clear of non-combustible or combustible materials will help you to avoid any fire hazards and will ensure the safe operation of your log burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the pathway through which the exhaust gases generated by your woodburning stove travel to be expelled outside. This helps maintain the cleanliness of indoor air by preventing the accumulation of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue prevents heat from being transferred to combustible materials in your home. This decreases the chance of smoke damage or fire.
The flue is an essential component of your stove or fireplace, and it's important to take care of it. This can be done by regularly cleaning your flue and ensuring that it's ventilated to the right level. You may have to hire an expert to inspect and clean your chimney if it is clogged. The flammable byproducts from burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to build up inside the flue. If it builds up to an excessive level it could ignite and cause chimney fires as well as other issues.
There are many different types of flues for your fireplace or woodburning device, including double-wall flues and masonry systems. Double-wall flues are constructed from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, however, are usually built with mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys can be used with most fireplaces, but they must be checked by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the chimney lining and chimney are operating properly.
If you have an older chimney made of masonry that requires relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner that will provide that the surface is smooth and unbroken from the fireplace to the outlet. Liner options are available in different sizes and can be used either internally or externally depending on the configuration of your fireplace. They also come with insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances efficiency.
Twin wall flue systems are a popular option for homes with no traditional chimneys. Easy to install, they come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and curved outside. This is perfect for high temperatures. They can be used with double-wall chimneys or masonry. However, they are only allowed to be used in homes that meet strict building codes.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
The amount of space you need to keep around your stove is among the most important aspects when deciding on a woodburner. It isn't necessary to place your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles as they can get very hot and cause a fire.
The instruction manuals of the majority of woodburners will provide guidelines for how far you need to keep the stove from combustible materials. These guidelines are typically described in terms of distances between the front and back sides. These guidelines can vary depending on the type of wood burner and the heat output of the wood burner.
We strongly recommend that you follow the directions given by the manufacturer of your woodburner in order to avoid any potential hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional are vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good working order.
During these inspections, your woodburner technician will check for any safety or potential issues concerns. They will also make sure that you're following the correct guidelines to protect your home and family. Install carbon monoxide alarms close to your woodburner, and make sure they are in good order.
Certain woodburners require a large gap to be maintained free of combustible substances in order to minimize the chance of the ignition point reaching. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the manual of the stove which you can download from their website.
To preserve the space, you could utilize a wall shield to reduce the minimum clearances required for your stove. They're subjected tests, and are certified by the manufacturer to be safe to reduce the clearances required for your stove.
A wall shield consists of a thin, metal frame that is positioned over the back of your stove and covers the flue system. It acts as a barrier to prevent the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible material behind them. This is an especially good option for new build homes in which the structure is often composed of a sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which do not offer a lot of protection against high temperatures from woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, and this means they could damage walls in the area around them. The best method to avoid this is to install walls with a shield that reduces the heat generated by the stove and to shield the wall. Wall protections are available in a range of forms, from simple bare heat shields, to more elaborate built-in models. The most effective wall protectors blend brick and metal to reflect heat away from the stove and stop it from spreading onto the walls.
The type of wood that is used in the stove must be taken into consideration. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote, which can block the fireplace and increase risk of fire. To help reduce this issue, it is a good idea to only use wood that is seasoned for burning in the stove. This will ensure that the fire is sufficiently hot to eliminate any moisture and limit the buildup of creosote.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been processed and seasoned. Pine is not a good choice because it releases lots of smoke and may cause creosote-like deposits within the flue system. Larch is another timber which is not recommended for use, as it is prone to Phytophthora Ramorum disease and can cause health problems when removed out of its natural habitat.
There is a woodburner to suit every budget and space. It is crucial to select the best woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. By avoiding bigger and more expensive stoves you can save on operating costs while enjoying the warm ambiance that is a part of a traditional woodburner.