7 Things About Small Woodburners You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing

Installing Small Woodburners Safely A small woodburner will add warmth to any house regardless of whether it's an apartment or a cabin. But, there are some rules you must adhere to for ensuring that your stove is installed safely. These rules require you to keep certain distances between your stove and combustible materials. To help you, we've put together this guide. Room Size Woodburners are available in a wide variety of outputs and it is crucial to consider the size of your space when selecting the right stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a stove that is too big for their home. This can negatively impact the efficiency and performance. This is why it's essential to visit a showroom in order to determine what the ideal woodburner size is for your home and also to use a stove sizing calculator to determine how much heat the stove will produce. Multiply the length, width and height of a room in metres. Then, divide this number by 14 to discover the approximate heat output required. However, this is only a rough guide and factors such as the insulation quality in the property as well as whether there are external walls or how big the windows are in the room could impact on the actual heat output needed. 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 can reduce the effectiveness of the stove and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass and in the chimney. It is also important to remember that the small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. The manufacturer's manual will detail these parameters, so be sure to reference 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 safe operation of your log burner. Flue System The flue system is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases of your woodburning stove to be vented outside. This ensures clean indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue stops 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 is essential to maintain it. This can be done by regularly cleaning your flue and ensuring that it is ventilated properly. You may have to hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney if it is clogged. Creosote can build up in the flue as a result of the flammable wood products that are burned. If it builds to a high level, it can ignite, leading to chimney fires and other issues. There are a variety of flues that you can choose from for your woodburning stove or fireplace including masonry chimneys as well as double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are usually constructed from bricks and mortar double-wall flue systems consist of a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be used with most 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 working properly. If you have an older chimney made of masonry that needs relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner that will provide a smooth and unbroken surface from the fireplace to the outlet. These are available in a variety of diameters, and can be fitted either externally or internally according to the layout of your fireplace. wood burning fireplace have insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and improves performance. Twin wall flue systems are a popular option for homes with no traditional chimneys. Easy to install, they feature a double-skinned Stainless Steel that is smooth inside and curved outside. This is ideal for high temperatures. They can be used with both masonry and double-wall chimneys, however, they are only installed in homes that comply with strict building regulations. Distances from Combustible Surfaces When choosing a woodburner, the space around the stove will be a major factor. You don't need to place your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles because they can get very hot and start a fire. The instruction manual of most woodburners will contain guidelines for the distance you must keep the stove away from flammable materials. These guidelines are typically expressed in terms of distances between the front side, back and sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type and output of the wood stove. To prevent any potential hazards from arising, we strongly advise to follow the guidelines set by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Also, regular inspections and maintenance by a professional are key to ensure the safety of your woodburner. During these inspections, your woodburner technician can check for 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're in good working condition. To minimize the chance that combustibles reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a vast distance between them and the combustibles. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the stove's instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website. You can install a wall protector to reduce the minimum clearances for your stove as an alternative to keep that space. These have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances without risk. A wall shield is a thin, metal frame that protects the flue system at the back of the stove. This acts as a barrier to prevent the walls from heating up and igniting any combustible materials behind them. This is a great option, especially for newly built homes, where the construction is typically comprised of sheetrock (gypsum), or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection from high temperatures generated by a woodburner. Shielding Combustible Surfaces Woodburning stoves are extremely hot, which means they can cause damage to walls around them. The best way to avoid this is to put up a wall shield, which reduces the heat generated by the stove and protect the wall itself. These wall protections are available in a variety of styles that range from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protections mix metal and brick to prevent the heat from the stove from getting to the walls, while also reflecting it back. The type of wood that is used to cook in the stove is also an important factor to consider. Some types of wood tend to create creosote deposits which can block the chimney and increase the danger of an explosion. It is best to select only hardwoods that are well-seasoned for the stove. This will help to ensure that the fire is burned at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any moisture remaining, thus decreasing the accumulation of creosote deposits. Some examples of seasoned hardwoods that are suitable include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is a poor choice because it is known to create a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance that can lead to creosote that looks like tar in the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended as it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when transported 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 lifestyle and budget. It is crucial to select the best woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. By avoiding bigger and more expensive stoves that are more expensive, you can save on operating costs while having the warm atmosphere that comes with a traditional woodburner.