Installing Small Woodburners Safely

No matter if you have small homes or cabins, a small woodburner can add a cosy feel to your living space. There are certain rules you need to follow to install your stove safely.

These rules require certain distances between the stove and any combustible materials. To help you, we've created this guide.

Room Size

Woodburners are available in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to take into account the size of your room when selecting the stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too big for their house. This can adversely affect the performance and efficiency. This is why it's essential to visit a showroom to find out what the best size for a woodburner is for your household and also to use a stove sizing calculator to work out how much heat the stove will generate.

Multiply the length, width, and height of a room in metres. Divide this number by 14 and you'll have an approximate estimate of the amount of heat required. But, this is only a rough guide and other factors such as the quality of insulation in the property as well as whether there are external walls or how big the windows are in the room could influence the actual output required.

Ventillation kits, or basic air brick, is required for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that the combustion of the wood heater stove is done efficiently and that the stove does not become too hot, which can reduce its efficiency and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass of the stove and inside the chimney.

It is important to remember that your small woodburner should be installed at a certain distance from both combustibles and non-combustible surfaces. The distance is predetermined. These specifications will be provided in the handbook of the manufacturer so be sure to refer to this when installing your stove and adhere to these guidelines. Keeping your stove clear of non-combustible and combustible substances will allow you to avoid any fire safety issues and will ensure the safe operation of your log burner.

Flue System

The flue system is the channel through which exhaust gases created by your woodburning stove travel to be expelled outside. This helps to maintain clean indoor air by stopping the accumulation of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue stops heat from being transferred to combustible materials within your home. This lowers the risk of fire or smoke damage.

Your flue is a crucial element of your fireplace or stove It is crucial to take care of it. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning your flue and ensuring it's ventilated to the right level. If your chimney is clogged it is possible to contact a professional to inspect and clean. The flammable byproducts 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 and other problems.

There are several different types of flues that you can choose from for your woodburning stove or fireplace, including masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Double-wall flues are constructed of stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, on the other hand are typically constructed using mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys work with all fireplaces, however they should be inspected by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to ensure that the chimney's lining is functioning properly.

You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of relining. This will give you a smooth surface from the fireplace all the way to the outlet. These are available in a variety of sizes and can be installed either internally or externally, according to the layout of your fireplace. They also come with insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and improves performance.

Twin wall flue systems are a common 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 curved outside. This is ideal for high temperatures. They can be used with double-wall chimneys or masonry. However they are only permitted to be used in homes that meet strict building codes.

Distances from combustible Surfaces

The size of the space you will need to keep around your stove is among the most important factors when deciding on the right woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be too close to any combustible material because they could get very hot and pose danger of fire.

The majority of woodburners have guidelines regarding how far away from combustible surfaces you need to keep them, this information is available in the instruction manual of the stove and is typically specified in terms of distances from the rear, front and sides. However, these guidelines can differ based on the kind of wood burner used and the heat output they provide.

To prevent any risk from arising, we strongly advise you to adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional is vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good condition.

During these inspections your woodburner technician will check for any safety or potential issues concerns and ensure that you are following the correct guidelines to safeguard your home and family. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors near your woodburner and ensure they are in good condition.

Certain woodburners require a large space to be protected free of combustible substances in order to minimize the chance of the ignition point reaching. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual, which is available to be downloaded from their website.

You can install wall protectors to decrease the clearances that are required for your stove as a way to preserving the space. These have been tested and approved by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances in a safe manner.

A wall shield consists of a thin frame of metal that is placed over the back of your stove and covers the flue system. It is a barrier that stops the walls from heating and igniting an ignitable material behind them. This is a great option especially for newly constructed homes where the construction is often 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 produce a lot of heat, which means that there is a chance of damage to walls surrounding the stove and in the vicinity. The best way to prevent this is to put up a wall shield, which will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and to protect the wall. These wall protections are available in a variety of forms including simple heat shields to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protectors combine brick and metal to reflect heat away from the stove and prevent it from transferring onto the walls.

The type of cast iron wood burning stove that is used to cook in the stove is an important factor to consider. Certain types of wood are prone to form creosote deposits that can block the chimney and increase the risk of sparks. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to use wood that is seasoned to burn in the stove. This will ensure that the fire is hot enough to burn off any moisture, and also reduce the accumulation of creosote.

Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been treated with. Pine is not a good choice as it produces lots of smoke and may cause creosote-like deposits to the flue system. Larch wood is not recommended because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease. It also poses 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 the efficiency of your energy and provide comfort. By choosing to avoid bigger, more expensive stoves you can save on operating costs while enjoying the warm ambiance that comes with a traditional woodburner.