Installing Small Woodburners Safely
Whether you live in small homes or cabins, a small woodburner will add a cosy feel to your living space. But, there are some rules you must adhere to for ensuring that the stove is properly installed.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between the stove and the combustible material. To help you, we've created this guide.
freestanding wood burner are available in a wide range of outputs. It is crucial to consider the size of your room when choosing the right stove. Many people make the error of buying a wood burner that is too large for their home and this could affect the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is important to visit the showroom to determine the size of the woodburner which is ideal for your home, and to use a stove-sizing calculator to determine the amount of heat it will generate.
A good guideline is to calculate the length, width and height of the room in meters and multiply them. Divide the result by 14 and you'll get an approximate estimation of the amount of heat needed. This is a rough guide. Other factors, like the amount of insulation present in a property and the number of exterior walls, or the size of windows in a room can influence the actual heat output needed.
It is also worth noting that any stove with an output of more than 5kW requires adequate ventilation and a ventillation kit or basic air brick is required. This is to ensure that the combustion of the wood is completed efficiently and that the stove doesn't get too hot, which could decrease its efficiency and create excessive soot to build up on the glass of the stove as well as in the chimney.
It is also important to know that your small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces of a predetermined value. The manual of the manufacturer will explain these values, so make sure to refer to it when installing your stove. Keeping your stove clear of non-combustible and combustible substances will allow you to avoid any fire safety problems and ensure safety 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 emitted out. This ensures clean indoor air by stopping the accumulation of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue also stops heat transfer to combustible materials in your home, reducing the risk of fire and smoke damage.
The flue is an essential component of your stove or fireplace, and it's important to take care of it. You can do this by regularly cleaning the flue and making sure that it has adequate ventilation. If your chimney is blocked it is possible to get a professional to check and clean. Creosote can build up in the flue as a result of flammable products of burning wood. If it builds to a significant amount it could cause a fire, causing chimney fires and other problems.
There are a variety of flues that you can choose from for your woodburning stove or fireplace such as masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Double-wall flues are made from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, on the other hand are constructed with 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 analyzer to ensure that the lining and chimney are functioning properly.
You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old masonry chimney in need of replacing. This will give you a smooth surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. The liners are available in various diameters and can be installed either externally or internally based on the layout of your fireplace. They also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and improves efficiency.
Twin wall flue systems are a popular option for homes with no traditional chimneys. They are simple to install, and have a double-skinned Stainless steel that is smooth inside and has a corrugated outside. This is perfect for high temperatures. They can be installed using masonry or double-wall chimneys. However they can only be permitted to be installed in homes that have strict building codes.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
The amount of space you need to maintain around your stove is one of the most important considerations when choosing a woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be too close to any combustible materials as they can become very hot and pose a fire hazard.
The instruction manual of most woodburners will contain guidelines on how far you should keep the stove from combustible materials. These guidelines are usually described in terms of distances between the front and back sides. However, these guidelines can vary based on the type of wood burner and the heat output they provide.
To prevent any potential hazards from arising, we strongly advise you always follow the specific guidelines set by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional are important to ensure your woodburner remains in good working order.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will be able to identify any safety issues and ensure you're following the correct guidelines to protect your home and family. Install carbon monoxide alarms close to your woodburner and ensure that they're in good working condition.
Some woodburners require a large gap to be maintained from combustible materials in order to decrease the chance of them reaching their ignition point. This is usually specified by the manufacturer in the stove's instruction manual, which is available to be downloaded from their website.
You can utilize a wall protector to reduce the minimum clearances for your stove as an alternative to keep that space. These are subjected to rigorous tests and are certified by the manufacturer to be safe to reduce the necessary clearances.
A wall shield is a thin frame of metal which is positioned on the back of your stove, covering the flue system. This acts as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible material behind them. This is a great option for homes that are being built from scratch, where the construction is often composed of a sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not offer much protection against the high temperatures generated by woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves generate a lot of heat. This means that there is a risk of causing damage to walls around the stove and in the close vicinity. Installing a wall shield can reduce the heat generated by the stove while protecting the wall. large wood burning stove come in a variety of styles including simple heat shields to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protections combine metal and brick to prevent the heat from the stove from transferring to the walls, and reflecting it away.
The type of wood that is used to burn in the stove is an important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood have a tendency to create creosote deposits which can block the chimney and increase the danger of a fire. To help reduce this risk, it's a good idea to only use wood that is seasoned to burn in the stove. This will ensure that the fire is burned at a sufficient temperature to eliminate any moisture remaining, thus decreasing the accumulation of creosote deposits.
Some examples of suitable seasoned hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a great choice because it releases lots of smoke and may cause creosote-like deposits to the flue system. Larch is another timber which should not be used since it is prone to Phytophthora Ramorum disease and may cause health risks when it is transported away from its natural habitat.
Whether you need a small woodburner for your loft or country nook, there's an option that will fit your lifestyle and budget. Choosing the right woodburner is crucial to maximize the efficiency of your energy and provide comfort. You can cut down on fuel by staying clear of larger and more costly stoves.