Installing Small Woodburners Safely
Whether you live in an apartment or a cabin, a woodburner in a small space can add a cosy feel to your living space. But, there are some rules you must adhere to in order to ensure that your stove is set up in a safe manner.
These rules require certain distances between the stove and the combustible material. To assist you, we've created this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners come in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to take into account the dimensions of your home when selecting the stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a wood burner that is too big for their home, and this can affect the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is important to visit the showroom in order to determine the size of the woodburner that will work ideal for your home, and to use a stove-sizing calculator determine how much heat it can generate.
A good guideline is to calculate the length, width and height of the room in metres and multiply them. Divide the result by 14 and you'll have an approximate estimate of the amount of heat needed. This is a rough guide. Other factors, such as the amount of insulation in the building and the number of external walls or the size of the windows in a room, can influence the actual heat output needed.
A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is essential for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is carried out efficiently and that the stove does not become too hot, which could make it less efficient and cause excessive soot deposits on the glass of the stove as well as in the chimney.
It is also important to remember that your small woodburner will need to be installed at a specific distance from both combustible and non-combustible surfaces of a predetermined value. These specifications will be provided in the manufacturer's handbook so ensure that you refer to this when installing your stove and following these guidelines. Keep your stove free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safe operation of your wood burner.
Flue System
The flue system is a channel that lets the exhaust gases from your woodburning stove to be vented outdoors. This ensures the cleanliness of indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue blocks heat from being transferred to combustible material within your home. This decreases the chance of smoke or fire damage.
The flue is a vital element of your stove or fireplace and it is essential to take care of it. You can do this by regularly cleaning the flue and ensuring it has proper ventilation. You may need to hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney if it's blocked. Creosote may build up in the flue due to the flammable substances of burning wood. If it builds up to an excessive amount, it can cause chimney fires to, among other problems.
There are many different types of flues that you can use for your fireplace or woodburning device, including double-wall and masonry flue systems. Double-wall flues are constructed of stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys, on the other hand, are usually built with mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys can be used with all fireplaces, however they should be inspected by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the chimney lining and chimney are functioning correctly.
If you have an older chimney made of masonry that requires relining, you can make use of a flexible chimney liner to ensure that the surface is smooth and unbroken from the fireplace to the outlet. These liners are available in different diameters and can be installed either internally or externally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. They are also lined with insulation, which helps keep the flue gases warmer and improves performance.
Twin wall flue systems are a common choice for homes without traditional chimneys. They are simple to install and feature a double-skinned steel that is smooth inside and textured on the exterior, which is ideal for achieving high temperatures. They can be used with double-wall chimneys as well as masonry 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 considerations when choosing the right woodburner. It isn't necessary to place your small woodburner too close to combustibles as they can become extremely hot and ignite.
Most woodburners will have guidelines for how far away from combustible surfaces you should keep them. This information is available in the stove's instruction manual and is usually stated in terms of distances to the rear, front and sides. However, these guidelines can differ based on the kind of wood burner used and the heat output they provide.
We strongly suggest that you follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner in order to avoid any potential hazards. Also, regular inspections and maintenance by an expert are essential to keeping your woodburner safe.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will be able to identify any safety issues and ensure you are following the correct guidelines to protect your family and home. Install carbon monoxide alarms near your woodburner and ensure that they're in good working condition.
Certain woodburners require a large gap to be kept from combustible materials in order to reduce the risk of the ignition point reaching. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website.
You can utilize wall protectors to decrease the minimum clearances for your stove as an alternative to preserving the space. They have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to be able reduce the clearances without risk.
A wall shield is a thin metal frame that covers the flue system on the back of the stove. This type of barrier prevents the walls from heating and burning an ignitable material behind them. This is a good option particularly for newly constructed homes, where the construction is typically comprised of sheetrock (gypsum), or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection from high temperatures caused by a woodburner.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves are very hot, which means they could damage walls in the area around them. Installing a wall protection will reduce the heat from the stove, while also protecting the wall. These wall protections come in a variety of forms that range from simple heat shields to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protections mix brick and metal to stop the heat from the stove from getting to the walls, while also reflecting it away.
The type of wood that is used to burn in the stove is another important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood tend to form creosote deposits that can block the chimney and increase the risk of sparks. It is best to select only hardwoods that are well-seasoned for stoves. This will help to ensure that the fire burns at a high enough temperature to eliminate any moisture that remains, thereby reducing the build-up of creosote deposits.
indoor wood burning stove , Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been treated with. Pine is not a good option, as it tends to produce a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance, which can lead to creosote-like deposits that resemble tar within the flue system. Larch is another wood that is not recommended for use, since it is prone to Phytophthora Ramorum disease, and could cause health risks when it is transported from its natural habitat.
There's a woodburner to fit any budget and living space. It is essential to select the correct woodburner to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. By avoiding larger and more expensive stoves, you can make savings on operating costs while having the warm atmosphere that is a part of a traditional woodburner.
