Installing Small Woodburners Safely
A small woodburner can add warmth to any home regardless of whether it's an apartment or an outdoor cabin. There are certain rules that you must adhere to in order to put your stove in the right place.
These rules include keeping certain distances between your stove and any combustible material. To help you, we've put together this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners come in a range of outputs, and it's crucial to consider the dimensions of your home when selecting a stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too large for their home. This can negatively impact the efficiency and performance. This is why it's important to visit a showroom in order to determine what the best size for a woodburner would be for your household and make use of an appliance sizing calculator to work out how much heat the stove will generate.
A good rule of thumb is to take the length the width and height of the room in metres and multiply these together. Divide the result by 14 and you'll get an approximate estimation of the amount of heat needed. However, this is just a rough guideline and factors such as the quality of insulation in the building, whether there are any exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room will influence the actual output required.
Ventillation kits, or basic air brick, is necessary for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and that the stove isn't 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 important to remember that your small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both combustibles as well as non-combustibles surfaces. This distance will be established. The manufacturer's manual will detail these specifications, so be sure to refer to it when installing your stove. Keep wood burning stoves on sale of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety concerns and ensure the safe operation of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the channel through which exhaust gases created by your woodburning stove pass through to be expelled outside. This helps maintain the cleanliness of indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue also blocks heat transfer to combustible substances in your home, reducing the risk of fire and smoke damage.
It is important to keep your flue which is an integral component of any stove or fireplace. You can accomplish this by regularly cleaning the flue and making sure it has proper ventilation. If your chimney is blocked it is possible to contact a professional to inspect and clean. Creosote may build up in the flue as a result of the flammable wood products that are burned. If it builds up to an excessive amount, it can cause chimney fires to, among other problems.
There are many different types of flues 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, on the other hand are constructed with bricks and mortar. Masonry chimneys are compatible with all fireplaces, however they should be inspected by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyser to make sure the chimney lining and chimney are working correctly.
If you have an older masonry chimney that needs relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner to ensure that the surface is smooth and unbroken from the fireplace to the outlet. These are available in a variety of diameters and can be installed either externally or internally according to the layout of your fireplace. They also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances efficiency.
Twin wall flue systems are a common choice for homes with no traditional chimneys. They are simple to install and feature a double-skinned steel that is smooth on the inside and curly on the outside, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be used with double-wall chimneys or masonry. However, they are only allowed to be used in homes that comply with strict building codes.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
When choosing a woodburner, the amount of space around your stove will be a major factor. 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 include guidelines on the distance you must keep the stove from combustible materials. These guidelines are typically expressed in terms of distances between the front, back and sides. These guidelines may differ based on the type and output of the wood stove.
We strongly suggest that you adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Regular checks and maintenance by an expert are essential to ensure your woodburner is safe.
During these inspections the woodburner technician will check for any potential safety or health concerns. They will also make sure that you are following the correct guidelines in order to protect your home and family. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors near your woodburner and keep them in good condition.
To minimize the chance that combustibles will reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a very large distance between them and the combustibles. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the stove's manual, 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 in a safe manner.
A wall shield consists of a thin, metal frame that is placed over the stove's back and covers the flue system. It serves as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible materials that are behind them. This is a good option, especially for newly built homes, where the construction is typically comprised of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which do not offer much protection against the high temperatures created by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves are extremely hot, and this means they can cause damage to walls that surround them. Installing a wall protector can reduce the heat generated by the stove while also protecting the wall. These wall protections come in a variety of styles that range from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The most effective wall protections blend brick and metal to block the heat from the stove from getting to the walls, and reflecting it back.
The kind of wood used to burn in the stove is also an important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood are known to produce creosote that can hinder the fireplace and increase risk of fire. It is best to only use seasoned hardwoods for stoves. This will ensure that the fire is burned at a high enough temperature to burn off any remaining moisture, which will reduce the formation of creosote deposits.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been treated with. Pine is not a good option, as it tends to create lots of smoke and has an oily appearance that can cause creosote-like deposits that resemble tar within the flue system. Larch is another wood that should not be used because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease, and could pose health hazards when transported from its natural habitat.
If you require a smaller woodburner for your loft or country nook, there is a stove that is suitable for your budget and living space. It is crucial to select the correct woodburner to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. By avoiding bigger and more expensive stoves, you can make savings on running expenses while enjoying the warm ambience that comes with a traditional woodburner.