Installing Small Woodburners Safely
If you reside in a small home or cabin, a small woodburner can add a cosy feel to your living space. There are some rules you need to follow to install your stove safely.
These rules include maintaining certain distances between the stove and the combustible material. This guide is here to help.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a variety of outputs, and it's important to consider the size of your room when choosing a stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a stove that is too big for their home. This can adversely affect the performance and efficiency. This is why it is important to visit a showroom in order to determine what the best size for a woodburner is for your household and as well as to use an appliance sizing calculator to figure out the amount of heat your stove can generate.
A good guideline is to calculate the length and width of the room in metres and multiply them. Then divide this number by 14 to calculate the approximate heat output required. This is an approximate guide. Other factors, like the amount of insulation within the building and the number of walls outside or the size of windows in a space, could affect the actual output needed.
It is also important to note that any stove with an output of more than 5kW needs adequate ventilation and ventillation kits or an air brick will be required. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and the stove doesn't get too hot. This could decrease the effectiveness of the stove and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass as well as in the chimney.
It is important to remember that your small woodburner needs to be installed at a certain distance from both combustibles as well as non-combustibles surfaces. This distance will be predetermined. These specifications will be provided in the manufacturer's handbook so be sure to adhere to these when installing your stove and following these guidelines. Make sure your stove is free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety issues and ensure safe operation of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases from your woodburning stove to be vented outdoors. This ensures the cleanliness of indoor air and prevents the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue stops heat from being transferred to combustible material within your home. This lowers the risk of smoke or fire damage.
It's important to maintain your flue which is an integral component of any fireplace or stove. This can be accomplished by cleaning your flue regularly and making sure it's ventilated to the right level. If your chimney is clogged, you may need to call in 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 up to an excessive amount, it can cause chimney fires to as well as other issues.
There are a variety of flues you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning appliance including double-wall flues and masonry systems. Masonry chimneys are usually constructed from bricks and mortar, while double-wall flues are made up of chimney liners made from stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be used with virtually any fireplace however, you must be 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.
You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of relining. This will provide an even surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. The liners are available in a variety of dimensions and can be put in either externally or internally based on the arrangement of your fireplace. These liners can also be insulated, which keeps the flue gases warm and enhances the performance.
Twin wall flue systems are a common choice for homes without traditional chimneys. They are easy to install and feature a double-skinned steel that is smooth on the inside and curly on the outside, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be installed with masonry or double-wall chimneys. However they are only permitted to be installed in homes that comply with strict building codes.
Distances from combustible Surfaces
When selecting a woodburner the amount of space around your stove is the most important aspect. You don't want your new small woodburner to be close to any materials that are flammable because they could get very hot and pose danger of fire.
small woodburners of the majority of woodburners will contain guidelines for how far you need to keep the stove from combustible materials. These guidelines are usually described in terms of distances between the front, back and sides. These guidelines can vary depending on the type and output of the wood stove.
We strongly suggest to follow the instructions that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Also, regular checks and maintenance by a professional are key to ensure the safety of your woodburner.
During these inspections your woodburner technician can check for any potential safety or health issues and ensure you're following the correct guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors around your woodburner and keep them in good working order.
To reduce the risk that combustibles will reach their ignition point, certain woodburners require a vast distance between them and the combustibles. This is typically specified by the manufacturer in the stove's instruction manual, which is available to be downloaded from their website.
To preserve this space, you could use a wall shield 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 is a thin steel frame that covers the flue system on the back of the stove. It acts as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and igniting any combustible materials behind them. This is a good option, especially for newly built homes, where the construction is mostly composed of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers that don't provide much protection from the high temperatures generated by woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves generate a great deal of heat, and this means that there is a danger of damage to walls around the stove and in the close vicinity. The best way to avoid this is to put up walls with a shield that reduces the heat generated by the stove and help to protect the wall. These wall protections come in a variety of styles that range from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The most effective wall protectors blend brick and metal to reflect heat away from the stove and stop it from transferring onto the walls.
The type of wood used to heat the stove is another important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood have a tendency to produce creosote that can block the chimney and increase the chance of an explosion. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to use seasoned hardwood for stove use. This will help to ensure that the fire is burned at a sufficient temperature to burn off any remaining moisture, reducing the build-up of creosote deposits.
Some examples of suitable seasoned hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a good option, as it tends to release a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance which could lead to 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 risks when it is removed of its natural habitat.
There is a woodburner that will fit any budget and living space. The choice of the best woodburner is crucial to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. By choosing to avoid larger, more expensive stoves, you can make savings on operating costs while having the warm atmosphere that comes with a traditional woodburner.