Installing Small Woodburners Safely
Whether you live in a small home or cabin, a small woodburner will bring warmth to your living space. But, there are some rules you must adhere to in order to ensure that the stove is properly installed.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible materials. This guide is here to help.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a wide variety of outputs. It's important to take into consideration the size of your home when selecting a stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a woodburner that is too big for their house. Best wood burning stoves can adversely affect the performance and efficiency. It is crucial to visit the showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that will work best for your home and to use a stove-sizing calculator determine the amount of heat it will produce.
Multiply the length, width and the height of a room in metres. Divide the result by 14 and you'll get an approximate estimate of the heat output needed. This is an approximate guide. Other factors, like the amount of insulation in the building or the number of walls outside, or the size of the windows in a room, can influence the actual heat output required.
It is also important to note that any stove that has an output of greater than 5kW will require adequate ventilation and a ventillation kit or basic air brick will be required. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is completed efficiently and the stove does not become too hot, which can decrease its efficiency and create excessive soot to build up on the glass of the stove and in the chimney.
It is also important to know that your small woodburner will need to be placed at a certain distance from non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. The manual of the manufacturer will explain these specifications, so be sure to refer to it when installing your stove. Keep your stove free of non-combustibles and combustibles in order to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safe operation of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases of your wood-burning stove to be vented outdoors. This helps maintain clean indoor air quality by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also blocks heat transfer to combustible materials within your home, reducing the risk of fire and smoke damage.
It's important to maintain your flue as it is an essential element of any stove or fireplace. You can clean it regularly by cleaning the flue and making sure it is properly ventilated. If your chimney is blocked, you may need to call in a professional for inspection and cleaning. Creosote may build up in the flue due to the flammable substances of burning wood. If it builds up to an excessive amount it could ignite and cause chimney fires and other issues.
There are many different kinds of flues you can use for your fireplace or woodburning stove including masonry chimneys as well as double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are constructed from bricks and mortar and double-wall flue systems comprise chimney liners made from stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be used with all fireplaces, however they must be checked by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyser to make sure the chimney lining and chimney are operating properly.
You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old masonry chimney in need of replacing. This will ensure a smooth surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. The liners are available in a variety of dimensions and can be put in either externally or internally based on the configuration of your fireplace. They are also made of insulation, which keeps the flue gases warmer and enhances the performance.
The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes without chimneys. They are simple to set up and feature a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and textured on the outside, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be installed using double-wall chimneys or masonry. However they are only permitted 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 considerations when selecting a woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be close to any combustible materials as they can become very hot and create a fire hazard.
The instruction manual of most woodburners will provide guidelines for how far you should keep the stove away from flammable materials. These guidelines are typically expressed in terms of distances between the front and back sides. These guidelines can vary depending on the type and heat output of the wood stove.
We strongly recommend that you always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to stay clear of any potential dangers. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional is important to ensure your woodburner remains in good working order.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will check for any potential problems or safety issues. Ensure that you are following the correct guidelines to protect your home and family. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors around your woodburner and keep them in good condition.
Some woodburners require a large space to be protected from combustible materials to decrease the chance of them reaching their ignition point. The manufacturer usually specifies this in the stove's manual which you can download from their website.
To preserve this space, you could make use of a wall protector to reduce the minimum clearances needed for your stove. They have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances without risk.
A wall shield consists of a thin metal frame which is positioned on the stove's back and covers the flue system. It acts as a barrier to prevent the walls from heating up and sparking any combustible materials behind them. This is a good option especially for newly constructed homes that are mostly comprised of sheetrock (gypsum), or brick veneers, which don't provide much protection from the high temperatures caused by woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, and this means they could damage walls in the area around them. The best way to avoid this is to put up a wall shield, which will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and protect the wall itself. These wall protectors come in many styles, from simple heat shields, to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protections mix brick and metal to block the heat from the stove from transferring to the walls and reflecting it back.
The kind of wood that is used in the stove must be likewise considered. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote, which can hinder the fireplace and increase risk of fire. It is recommended to use only seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will help to ensure that the fire is burned at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any moisture that remains, thereby which will reduce the formation of creosote deposits.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been seasoned. Pine is a poor option, as it tends to release a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance that can cause tar-like creosote deposits within the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when it is removed of its natural habitat.
If you require a smaller woodburner for your loft or country nook, there is an option that will fit your budget and living space. It is essential to select the correct woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. By choosing to avoid larger and more expensive stoves, you can make savings on operating costs while having the warm atmosphere that is a part of a traditional woodburner.