Installing Small Woodburners Safely
A small woodburner can bring warmth to any room no matter if it's a small house or an outdoor cabin. However, there are certain guidelines you must adhere to in order to ensure that your stove is set up in a safe manner.
These rules include keeping certain distances between your stove and any combustible material. To assist you, we've put together this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners are available in a wide variety of outputs. It is important to consider the size of your space when choosing the right stove. Many people make the mistake of buying a wood burner that is too large for their home, and this can affect the performance and efficiency of the stove. This is why it is crucial to visit a showroom to find out what the ideal woodburner size is for your household and make use of a stove sizing calculator to work out how much heat the stove will generate.
A good guideline is to take the length and width of the room in meters and multiply these together. Then, divide this number by 14 to calculate the approximate amount of heat required. This is however only a rough estimate and factors such as the insulation quality of the home, whether there are any exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room could impact on the actual heat output required.
It is also worth noting that any stove that has an output of more than 5kW requires adequate ventilation and ventillation kits or an air brick will be required. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and that the stove doesn't become too hot. This could reduce the efficiency of the stove, and lead to soot accumulate on the glass and in the chimney.
It is also important to know that the small woodburner will need to be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. These values will be detailed in the manual of the manufacturer, so make sure you refer to this when installing your stove and follow these guidelines. Keep your stove free of non-combustible and combustible substances will help you avoid any fire safety issues 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 fireplace travel to be expelled outside. This helps maintain clean indoor air by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also blocks heat transfer to combustible substances within your home, reducing the possibility of fire and smoke damage.
Your flue is a crucial component of your fireplace or stove and it is essential to maintain it. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning your flue and ensuring it is ventilated properly. If your chimney is blocked you might need to get a professional to check and clean. Wood Burning Stoves of burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to build up inside the flue. If it builds up to a high level, it can ignite, leading to chimney fires, as well as other issues.
There are several different types of flues available for your woodburning stove or fireplace, including masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are usually constructed from bricks and mortar, while double-wall flues are made up of a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be used with any fireplace, but you should have them inspected by an Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser to ensure the lining is intact and that the chimney is working correctly.
You can opt for a flexible liner if you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of replacing. This will ensure a smooth surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. These are available in a range of diameters and can be installed either externally or internally, according to the layout of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and improves efficiency.
The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes that do not have chimneys. They are simple to set up and come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth on the inside and corrugated on the outside, which is perfect to reach high temperatures. They can be used in conjunction with double-wall chimneys as well as masonry chimneys however they can only be placed in houses that are compliant with strict building regulations.
Distances from combustible Surfaces
The amount of space you need to keep around your stove is among the most important considerations when choosing a woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be close to any materials that are flammable since they can get extremely hot and cause the risk of a fire.
The majority of woodburners have guidelines regarding how far away from combustible surfaces you should keep them, this information can be found in the stove's instruction manual and is usually stated in terms of distances from the front, rear and sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type and heat output of the wood burner.
We strongly suggest that you always adhere to the guidelines given by the manufacturer of your woodburner to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Regular inspections and maintenance performed by professionals are crucial to keeping your woodburner safe.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will be looking for potential problems or safety concerns and make sure you're following the right guidelines to safeguard your family and home. Install carbon monoxide alarms close to your woodburner and ensure that they are in good working order.
To decrease the risk that combustibles reach their ignition point, certain woodburners require a very vast distance between them and combustibles. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the manual of the stove which you can download from their website.
To preserve this space, you could use a wall shield to decrease the minimum clearances needed for your stove. They have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to be able reduce the clearances safely.
A wall shield is a thin frame of metal that is positioned over the stove's back, covering the flue system. This acts as a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible material behind them. This is a particularly good choice for new homes, where the construction typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not provide much protection from the high temperatures generated by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves produce a lot of heat, which means that there is a chance of damage to walls around the stove and in the surrounding. The best way to avoid this is to install an exterior wall shield that will reduce the heat emitted by the stove and help to shield the wall. These wall protections are available in a variety of forms, from simple bare heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protections mix metal and brick to prevent heat from the stove transferring to the walls and reflecting it back.
The type of wood used in the stove should also be considered. Certain kinds of wood have a tendency to produce creosote that can block the chimney and increase the danger of sparks. To help reduce this risk, it's recommended to use wood that is seasoned 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.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been treated with. Pine is not a good option as it creates lots of smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits in the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended due to its susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum disease. It also can pose health risks when transported out of its natural habitat.
No matter if you require a small woodburner for your loft apartment or country nook, there's a stove that is suitable for your budget and living space. It is essential to select the best woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. By avoiding larger and more expensive stoves that are more expensive, you can save on running expenses while enjoying the warm ambience that comes with a traditional woodburner.