Installing Small Woodburners Safely
A small woodburner can add warmth to any home regardless of whether it's an apartment or an outdoor cabin. But, there are some guidelines you must adhere to to ensure your stove is installed safely.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between the stove and combustible material. This guide will assist.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a wide range of outputs and it is important to take into consideration the size of your space when choosing the stove. Many people make the mistake of buying a wood burner that is too big for their home, and this could negatively impact the performance and efficiency of the stove. This is why it is important to visit a showroom to determine what the ideal woodburner size is for your household and make use of the stove sizing calculator in order to determine how much heat the stove will generate.
Multiply the length, width, and the height of a room in meters. Divide the result by 14 and you will get an approximate estimate of the heat output needed. But, this is only a rough estimate and other factors like the insulation quality in the home and whether there are exterior walls, or how large the windows are in the room will affect the actual heat output required.
Ventillation kits, or basic air brick, is essential for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is done 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 note that your small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. These values will be detailed in the manual of the manufacturer, so ensure that you adhere to these when installing your stove and follow these guidelines. Keep your stove free of non-combustibles and combustibles in order to avoid fire safety concerns and ensure the safety of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is a channel that lets the exhaust gases from your wood-burning stove to be vented outdoors. This helps maintain the air quality inside by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. best wood burning stove prevents heat transfer to combustible substances within your home, reducing the possibility of fire and smoke damage.
Your flue is a crucial component of your stove or fireplace, and it's important to take care of it. This can be done by cleaning your flue regularly and ensuring that it's ventilated to the right level. You may need to hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney if it's clogged. Creosote can build up in the flue as a result of flammable products of burning wood. If it builds up to an excessive amount it could ignite and cause chimney fires, among other problems.
There are many different types of flues you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning device, including double-wall and masonry flue systems. Double-wall flues are constructed from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, on the other hand are typically constructed using bricks and mortar. Masonry chimneys are compatible with most fireplaces, but they must be checked by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyser to make sure the chimney lining and chimney are working properly.
If you have an older chimney made of masonry that requires relining, you can make use of a flexible chimney liner to provide a smooth and unbroken surface from the fireplace to the outlet. Liner options are available in various sizes and can be used either externally or internally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. These liners can also be made of insulation, which keeps the flue gases warmer and improves performance.
The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes without chimneys. They are easy to install and feature a double-skinned Stainless Steel that is smooth inside and has a corrugated outside. This is ideal for high temperatures. They can be used in conjunction with double-wall chimneys and masonry chimneys, however they can only be installed in homes that comply with strict building regulations.
Distances from combustible Surfaces
When you are choosing a woodburner the amount of space around your stove will be an important factor. It is not necessary to put your small woodburner close to combustibles because they can become extremely hot and cause a fire.
The instruction manual of most woodburners will provide guidelines on the distance you must keep the stove clear of combustible materials. These guidelines are usually expressed in terms of distances between the front, back and sides. However, these guidelines can differ based on the kind of wood burner and the heat output they offer.
We strongly suggest that you adhere to the guidelines given by the manufacturer of your woodburner to stay clear of any potential dangers. Regular checks and maintenance by professionals are crucial to keeping your woodburner safe.
During these inspections the woodburner technician will check for any potential safety or health concerns and ensure that you are following the correct guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors close to your woodburner and keep them in working order.
Certain woodburners require a large gap to be maintained from combustible materials in order to reduce the risk of them reaching their ignition point. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the manual for the stove which you can download from their website.
If you want to preserve this space, you can use a wall shield to decrease the minimum clearances required for your stove. These have been tested and approved by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances without risk.
A wall shield consists of a thin frame of metal that is placed over the stove's back and covers the flue system. This acts as a barrier to prevent the walls from heating up and sparking any combustible material behind them. This is a particularly good option for new build homes where the construction typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which do not offer much protection against high temperatures from woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat, and this means that there is a chance of causing damage to walls around the stove and in its close vicinity. The best method to avoid this is to install a wall shield, which reduces the heat generated by the stove and help to shield the wall. Wall protections are available in a variety of styles, from simple bare heat shields, to more elaborate built-in models. The best wall protections combine brick and metal to block heat from the stove transferring to the walls and reflecting it back.
The type of wood used to heat the stove is another important aspect to consider. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote, which can block the fireplace and increase the fire risk. It is best to use only seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will ensure that the fire is burning at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any moisture remaining, thus decreasing the accumulation of creosote deposits.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been seasoned. Pine is not a good option as it creates lots of smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits to the flue system. The Larch wood is also not recommended as it is 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. It is essential to select the right woodburner in order to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. You can save money on fuel expenses by not using larger and more expensive stoves.