Installing Small Woodburners Safely
If you reside in small homes or cabins, a small woodburner can bring warmth to your living space. There are certain rules that you must adhere to in order to set up your stove in a safe manner.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible items. To help you, we've prepared this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a variety of outputs and it is important to take into consideration the size of your space when selecting the right stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a woodburner that is too large for their home. This can adversely affect the efficiency and performance of the stove. It is important to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner which is ideal for your home, and to make use of a stove-sizing calculator in order to determine how much heat it can generate.
A good rule of thumb is to determine the length and width of the room in meters and multiply these together. Then divide this number by 14 to discover the approximate heat output required. This is an approximate guide. Other factors, like the amount of insulation present in a property or the number of walls outside or the size of windows in a space, can influence the actual heat output required.
A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is required for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and that the stove doesn't become too hot. This could decrease the effectiveness of the stove and cause excessive soot to accumulate on the glass and inside the chimney.
It is also important to know that the small woodburner must be placed at a certain distance from non-combustible and combustible surfaces with a certain value. These specifications will be provided in the handbook of the manufacturer so be sure to refer to this when installing your stove and follow these guidelines. Keep your stove free of combustibles as well as non-combustibles, to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safety of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases from your woodburning stove to vent outdoors. This ensures the cleanliness of indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue blocks heat from being transferred to combustible materials within your home. This decreases the chance of fire or smoke damage.
The flue is a vital part of your stove or fireplace, and it's important to maintain it. You can accomplish this by regularly cleaning the flue and making sure it is properly ventilated. If your chimney is blocked, you may need to contact an expert for inspection and cleaning. The flammable byproducts from burning wood in your stove could cause creosote to accumulate inside the flue. If it builds up to an excessive level it could cause chimney fires to as well as other issues.
There are many different kinds of flues that you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning stove, including masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are typically built from bricks and mortar, while double-wall flue systems comprise chimney liners made from stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be installed with almost any fireplace, but you should have them inspected by an Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser to ensure that the lining is not damaged and that the chimney is functioning correctly.
If you have an older masonry chimney that requires relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner to ensure an unbroken and smooth surface from the fireplace to the outlet. Liner options are available in different diameters and can be installed either internally or externally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. They also have insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances performance.
The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes without 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 for high temperatures. They can be used with double-wall chimneys or masonry. However they can only be permitted to be used in homes that meet strict building codes.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
When selecting a woodburner the space around the stove will be a major factor. It is not necessary to put your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles because they can quickly get extremely hot and ignite.
The majority of woodburners have guidelines on how far away from combustible surfaces you need to keep them, this information is available in the instruction manual of the stove and is typically specified in terms of distances from the rear, front and sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type and output of the wood burner.
We strongly suggest to adhere to the guidelines that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner in order to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional is also vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good working order.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will be able to identify any safety issues and make sure you're following the correct guidelines to protect your home and family. Install carbon monoxide alarms around your woodburner and ensure that they are in good working order.
Some woodburners require a very large gap to be maintained free of combustible substances in order to minimize the chance of them reaching their ignition point. The manufacturer usually specifies this in the manual of the stove that you can download from their website.
You can utilize a wall protector to reduce the clearances required for your stove as a way to preserving the space. They're subjected tests, and are certified by the manufacturers to be capable of safely reducing the clearances required for your stove.
A wall shield is a thin, metal frame that protects the flue system at the back of the stove. It is a barrier that prevents the walls from heating and burning materials that are combustible behind them. This is a good choice, especially for newly built homes where the construction is typically composed of sheetrock (gypsum), or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection from high temperatures generated by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves generate a lot of heat. This means that there is a chance of damage to walls surrounding the stove and in the close vicinity. Installing a wall protection can reduce the heat generated by the stove while also protecting the wall. Wall protectors come in many designs, ranging from simple heat shields, to more sophisticated built-in models. The most effective wall protections blend brick and metal to block heat from the stove transferring to the walls and reflecting it away.
The type of wood that is burned in the stove must be taken into consideration. Certain types of wood have a tendency to produce creosote that can block the chimney and increase the risk of a fire. To prevent this from happening issue, it is recommended to make use of seasoned wood for burning in the stove. modern wood burning stove will ensure that the fire is burned at a high enough temperature to burn off 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 tends to produce lots of smoke and has an oily appearance that can cause creosote that looks like tar in the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease. It can also pose health hazards when taken out of its natural habitat.
Whether you need a small woodburner for your loft apartment or country nook, there's a stove to suit your budget and living space. It is essential to select the best woodburner to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. By staying clear of bigger, more expensive stoves that are more expensive, you can save on running expenses while having the warm atmosphere that comes with a traditional woodburner.
