15 Reasons Not To Ignore Small Woodburners
Installing Small Woodburners Safely
If you reside in an apartment or a cabin, a small woodburner will provide a warm and cozy atmosphere to your living space. There are some rules you need to follow to set up your stove in a safe manner.
These rules include keeping certain distances between your stove and combustible materials. To assist small wood burning heater , we've put together this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners can be found in a variety of outputs and it is important to consider the size of your space when choosing the stove. Many people make the error of buying a wood burner that is too large for their space and this can negatively impact the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is important to visit the showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that will work ideal for your home, and use a stove-sizing calculator to calculate how much heat it can generate.
A good guideline is to calculate the length the width and height of the room in meters and multiply these together. Divide this number by 14 and you will get an approximate estimate of the amount of heat required. But, this is only a rough guide and other factors such as the insulation quality of the home and whether there are exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room will influence the actual output needed.
A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is necessary for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and the stove doesn't get too hot. This could reduce the efficiency of the stove, and lead to excessive soot accumulate on the glass and in the chimney.
It is important to remember that your small woodburner needs to be installed at a specified distance from both combustibles and non-combustibles surfaces. The distance is predetermined. These parameters will be explained in the manual of the manufacturer, so make sure you use this when installing your stove and adhere to these guidelines. Making sure your stove is free of combustible and non-combustible materials will allow you to avoid any fire safety issues and ensure safety of your log burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the channel through which the exhaust gases generated by your woodburning fireplace travel to be vented outside. This helps to maintain the cleanliness of indoor air and prevents the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also blocks heat transfer to combustible materials in your home, reducing the possibility of fire and smoke damage.
The flue is a vital part of your fireplace or stove, and it's important to maintain it. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning your chimney and ensuring that it is ventilated properly. If your chimney is blocked you might need to get a professional for inspection and cleaning. Creosote can accumulate in the flue due to the flammable wood products that are burned. If it builds up to an excessive amount, it can ignite and cause chimney fires as well as other issues.
There are several different types of flues you can use 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 typically constructed using mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys can be installed with any fireplace, however, you must have them inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser to ensure that the lining is not damaged and that the chimney is working correctly.
It is possible to use a flexible liner if you have an old masonry chimney in need of being relined. This will ensure an even surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. The liners are available in various sizes and can be used either externally or internally based on the configuration of your fireplace. These liners are also lined with insulation, which helps keep the flue gases warmer and improves performance.
Twin wall flue systems are a popular choice for homes with no traditional chimneys. They are simple to install and come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and curly on the exterior, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be used with both masonry and double-wall chimneys, however, they are only placed in houses that are compliant with strict building regulations.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
The amount of space you need to maintain around your stove is one of the most important aspects when choosing a woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be close to any materials that are flammable as they can become very hot and create the risk of a fire.
Most woodburners will have guidelines on the distance from combustible surfaces you need to keep them, this information is available in the stove's instruction manual and is typically stated in terms of distances to the front, rear and sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type and output of the wood stove.
We strongly suggest that you always adhere to the guidelines that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner in order to stay clear of any potential dangers. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional are important to ensure your woodburner remains in good condition.
During these inspections the woodburner technician will be looking for any safety or potential issues concerns and ensure that you're following the correct guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors close to your woodburner and ensure they are in working order.
To decrease small wood burner that combustibles will reach their ignition point, certain woodburners require an extremely long distance between them and combustibles. The manufacturer will typically specify this in the stove's manual that you can download from their website.
If you want to preserve this space, you could make use of a wall protector to reduce the minimum clearances for your stove. These have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances in a safe manner.
A wall shield is a thin, metal frame that protects the flue system at the back of the stove. This acts as a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and igniting any combustible materials behind them. This is a great option particularly for newly constructed homes that are often made of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection against the high temperatures generated by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat, and this means that there is a danger of causing damage to walls around the stove as well as in the close vicinity. Installing a wall shield can reduce the heat generated by the stove, while also protecting the wall. These wall protectors come in many different forms, from simple heat shields to complex built-in models. The best wall protections mix 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 cook in the stove is an important consideration. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote that can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase the fire risk. To reduce the risk of fire issue, it is best to use wood that is seasoned for burning in the stove. This will help to 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 hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is a poor option, as it tends to create a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance, which can cause tar-like creosote deposits within the flue system. Larch wood is not recommended as it is susceptible to Phytophthora the ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when it is removed of its natural habitat.
Whether you need a small woodburner for your loft apartment or country nook, there's a stove that is suitable for your living space and budget. The choice of the best woodburner is vital to maximize efficiency and comfort. You can save money on fuel costs by not using larger and more expensive stoves.