Installing Small Woodburners Safely

No matter if you have a small home or cabin, a small woodburner will provide a warm and cozy atmosphere to your living space. But, there are some regulations that you must follow for ensuring that the stove is properly installed.

These rules include maintaining certain distances between the stove and the combustible material. This guide is here to assist you.

Room Size

Woodburners are available in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to consider the size of your room when selecting the right stove. Many people make the error of buying a wood burning fireplace burner that is too large for their home, and this could have a negative impact on the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is important to visit the showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that will work best for your home and to use a stove-sizing calculator to determine the amount of heat it will produce.

A good rule of thumb is to take the length the width and height of the room in metres and then multiply them. Divide this number by 14 and you'll have an approximate estimate of the heat output needed. However, this is only a rough estimate and other factors such as the insulation quality in the home, whether there are any external walls or how big the windows are in the room will impact on the actual heat output required.

A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is required for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is carried out efficiently and the stove does not become too hot, which can make it less efficient and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass of the stove and in the chimney.

It is also important to remember that the small woodburner will need to be placed at a certain distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. These values will be detailed in the handbook of the manufacturer so be sure to refer to this when installing your stove and following these guidelines. Making sure your stove is free of non-combustible and combustible substances will help you to avoid any fire safety issues and ensure safe operation of your log burner.

Flue System

The flue system is the passageway through which exhaust gases created by your woodburning stove pass through to be expelled outside. This helps maintain clean indoor wood burner air quality by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue prevents heat from being transferred to combustible materials in your home. This reduces the risk of smoke or fire damage.

It's important to maintain your flue as it is an essential component of any stove or fireplace. You can accomplish this by regularly cleaning the flue and making sure it has proper ventilation. If your chimney is blocked, you may need to call in a professional to check and clean. The flammable byproducts of burning wood in your stove can cause creosote accumulation in the flue. If it builds up to an excessive level, it can cause chimney fires to, among other problems.

There are a variety of flues available for your fireplace or woodburning stove including masonry chimneys as well as double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are usually constructed out of mortar and bricks, while double-wall flue systems comprise a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys work with most fireplaces, but they should be inspected by an engineer who is registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the chimney's lining is working correctly.

If you have an older chimney made of masonry that requires relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner that will provide that the surface is smooth and unbroken from the fireplace to the outlet. Liner options are available in a variety of sizes and can be used either internally or externally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. They are also insulated, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances the performance.

The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes without 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 double-wall chimneys or masonry. However, they are only allowed to be installed in homes that comply with strict building codes.

Distances from combustible Surfaces

When selecting a woodburner the amount of space around the stove will be a major factor. You don't want your brand new small woodburner to be too close to any materials that are flammable since they can get extremely hot and create a fire hazard.

Most woodburners will have guidelines regarding how far away from combustible surfaces you need to keep them. This information can be found in the stove's instruction manual and is typically specified in terms of distances from the front, rear and sides. However, these guidelines can vary based on the kind of wood burner used and the amount of heat they provide.

We strongly recommend to follow the instructions that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to stay clear of any potential dangers. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional are vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good condition.

During these inspections, your woodburner technician will check for potential problems or safety concerns and ensure that you are following the correct guidelines in order to protect your home and family. It's also advisable to install carbon monoxide detectors near your woodburner, and keep them in good condition.

To minimize the chance that combustibles reach their ignition point, certain woodburners require a very vast distance between them and the combustibles. The manufacturer will usually specify this in the stove's manual, which you can download from their website.

To preserve this space, you can use a wall shield to limit the clearances required for your stove. They have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances safely.

A wall shield is a thin frame of metal that is placed over the stove's back and covers the flue system. This type of barrier stops the walls from heating up and igniting the combustible material behind them. This is a good option, especially for newly built homes that are typically made of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which don't offer much protection against the high temperatures generated by a woodburner.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves generate a great deal of heat, which means that there is a chance of damage to walls surrounding the stove and in the vicinity. The best way to avoid this is to put up walls with a shield that will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and help to shield the wall. These wall protectors come in many designs, ranging from simple heat shields, to more sophisticated built-in models. The most effective wall protectors blend brick with metal to reflect heat away from the stove and prevent it from transferring onto the walls.

The kind of wood used in the stove should also be considered. Certain kinds of corner wood burning stove tend to create creosote, which can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase danger of fire. To help reduce this risk, it's a good idea to only make use of seasoned wood for stove use. This will ensure that the fire is sufficiently hot to eliminate any moisture, and also reduce the formation of creosote.

Some examples of suitable hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a great choice as it produces lots of smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits in the flue system. Larch is another wood that is not recommended for use, because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease and can pose health hazards when transported from its natural habitat.

There's a woodburner to meet the needs of every budget and living space. The choice of the best woodburner is crucial to maximize the efficiency of your energy and provide comfort. By avoiding larger and more expensive stoves, you can make savings on running expenses while enjoying the warm ambience that is a part of a traditional woodburner.