Installing Small Woodburners Safely
No matter if you have a small home or cabin, a woodburner in a small space can bring warmth to your living space. There are some regulations you need to follow to put your stove in the right place.
These rules require certain distances between the stove and combustible material. This guide is here to assist.
Room Size
Woodburners come in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to consider the dimensions of your home when choosing the stove. Many people make the error of purchasing a woodburner that is too big for their house. This could negatively impact the performance and efficiency. It is important to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner which is most suitable for your home and to make use of a stove-sizing calculator in order to determine how much heat it can generate.
Multiply the length, width and height of a room in metres. Divide this number by 14, and you'll get an approximate estimate of the amount of heat 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 windows in a space, could affect the actual output needed.
It is important to remember that any stove that has an output of more than 5kW requires adequate ventilation and ventillation equipment or an air brick will be necessary. This is to ensure that the combustion of the wood is done efficiently and that the stove doesn't become too hot, which can reduce its efficiency and cause excessive soot deposits on the glass of the stove and in the chimney.
It is also important to know that the small woodburner should be placed at a certain distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces with a certain value. These specifications will be provided in the handbook of the manufacturer so ensure that you refer to this when installing your stove and adhere to these guidelines. Keep your stove free of combustible and non-combustible materials will help you avoid any fire hazards and will ensure the safety of your log burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the channel through which exhaust gases created by your woodburning stove pass through to be vented outside. This helps maintain clean indoor air quality and prevents the accumulation of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue also stops heat transfer to combustible substances in your home, reducing the possibility of fire or smoke damage.
It's important to maintain your flue which is an integral component of any fireplace or stove. This can be done by regularly cleaning your chimney and ensuring it has adequate ventilation. You may have to hire an expert to examine and clean your chimney if it is clogged. Creosote can accumulate in the flue as a result of the flammable substances of burning wood. If it builds up to a significant amount, it can ignite, leading to chimney fires and other problems.
There are a variety of flues that you can use for your fireplace or woodburning device, including masonry flues and double-wall systems. Double-wall flues are constructed of stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys, on the other hand are constructed with bricks and mortar. Masonry chimneys are compatible with a wide range of fireplaces, but they should be inspected by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to ensure that the chimney's lining is functioning properly.
You can use a flexible liner if you have an old masonry chimney that is in need of relining. This will give you a smooth surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. Liner options are available in different dimensions and can be put in either internally or externally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and improves performance.
The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes without chimneys. They are easy to install and feature a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and textured on the exterior, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be used with masonry or double-wall chimneys. However they are only permitted to be installed in homes that meet strict building codes.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
When choosing a woodburner, the space around the stove will be the most important aspect. It isn't necessary to place your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles as they can quickly get extremely hot and start a fire.
The instruction manual of most woodburners will provide guidelines for the distance you must keep the stove away from flammable materials. These guidelines are usually defined in terms of distances between the front side, back and sides. However, these guidelines may vary based on the kind of wood burner used and the heat output they provide.
We strongly recommend to follow the directions given by the manufacturer of your woodburner in order to avoid any potential hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional are key to ensure the safety of your woodburner.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will look for potential problems or safety concerns and make sure you're following the correct guidelines in order to protect your family and home. Install carbon monoxide alarms around your woodburner and ensure that they are in good working condition.
To reduce the risk that combustibles will reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a vast distance between them and combustibles. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the manual for the stove which you can download from their website.
As an alternative to maintaining this space, you could use a wall shield to decrease the minimum clearances 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 that is positioned over the stove's back, covering the flue system. It serves as a barrier that prevents 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 usually made up of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not provide much protection from the extreme heat generated by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat. This means that there is a risk of causing damage to walls around the stove as well as in the surrounding. The best method to avoid this is to install an exterior wall shield that will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and help to protect the wall. Wall protectors come in a variety of designs, ranging from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protectors combine metal with brick to reflect heat away from the stove and stop it from transferring onto the walls.
The type of wood that is used to burn in the stove is an important factor to consider. Some types of wood tend to create creosote deposits which can block the chimney and increase the danger of sparks. It is best to only use seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will ensure that the fire burns at a temperature that is sufficient to burn off 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 choice, as it tends to create lots of smoke and has an oily appearance, which could lead to creosote-like deposits that resemble tar within the flue system. Larch is a different kind of wood that is not recommended for use, since it is prone to Phytophthora Ramorum disease and may cause health risks when it is transported from its natural habitat.
There's wood burning stoves for sale to meet the needs of every budget and living space. It is crucial to select the correct woodburner to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. By avoiding larger, more expensive stoves you can save on operating costs while having the warm atmosphere that is a part of a traditional woodburner.
