Installing Small Woodburners Safely

No matter if you have a small home or cabin, a woodburner in a small space can add a cosy feel to your living space. There are some regulations that you must adhere to in order to set up your stove in a safe manner.

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

Room Size

Woodburners come in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to take into account the dimensions of your home when choosing the stove. Many people make the error of purchasing a wood burners near me burner that is too large for their home, and this could negatively impact the performance and efficiency of the stove. It is essential to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that will work ideal for your home, and to make use of a stove-sizing calculator in order to calculate how much heat it will produce.

A good guideline is to determine the length and width of the room in metres and multiply these together. Divide this number by 14, and you'll have an approximate estimate of the heat output needed. This is however just a rough guideline and other factors such as the quality of insulation in the property as well as whether there are exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room can influence the actual output needed.

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 could make it less efficient and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass of the stove and in the chimney.

It is important to remember that your small woodburner needs to be placed at a specific distance from both combustibles and non-combustibles surfaces. This distance will be determined by the manufacturer. These parameters will be explained in the manual 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 or combustible materials will allow you to avoid any fire hazards and will ensure the safety of your log burner.

Flue System

The flue system is a way that allows the exhaust gases from your woodburning stove to vent outside. This helps maintain the cleanliness of indoor wood burning stove air by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also prevents heat transfer to combustible materials within your home, reducing the possibility of fire or smoke damage.

It's important to maintain your flue, which is an integral component of any stove or fireplace. You can accomplish this by regularly cleaning the flue and ensuring it is properly ventilated. If your chimney is blocked you might need to get an expert to check and clean. Creosote can build up in the flue due to flammable products of burning wood. If it builds to a high level it could ignite, leading to chimney fires and other issues.

There are many different types of flues 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 are, on the other hand are typically constructed using bricks and mortar. Masonry chimneys can be installed with any fireplace, but you should have them checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser in order to make sure the lining is in good condition and that the chimney is operating properly.

If you have an older masonry chimney that requires relining, you can opt for a flexible chimney liner that will provide an unbroken and smooth surface from the fireplace to the outlet. These are available in a variety of sizes, and can be fitted either externally or internally, dependent on the layout of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and improves efficiency.

Twin wall flue systems are a common choice for homes that do not have traditional chimneys. They are simple to install, and come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and corrugated outside. This is perfect 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 amount of space around your stove will be the most important aspect. You don't need to place your small woodburner too close to combustibles since they can get very hot and start a fire.

The instruction manual of most woodburners will include guidelines on the distance you must keep the stove clear of combustible materials. These guidelines are usually expressed in terms of distances between the front and back sides. These guidelines may vary based on the type of wood burner and the heat output of the wood stove.

To prevent any potential hazards from occurring We strongly recommend that you always follow the specific guidelines set by the manufacturer of your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional is also essential to keep your woodburner in good condition.

During these inspections, your woodburner technician will check for any potential safety or health issues. Ensure that you are following the correct guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors around your woodburner, and keep them in working order.

To decrease the risk that combustibles will reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a vast distance between them and combustibles. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website.

You can use a wall protector to reduce the clearances required for your stove in order to maintaining that space. They're subjected tests and are certified by the manufacturers to be capable of safely reducing the required clearances.

A wall shield is a thin frame of metal that is positioned over the stove's back, covering the flue system. This is a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and igniting the materials that are combustible behind them. This is a good option especially for newly constructed homes where the construction is mostly comprised of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers that don't provide much protection from the high temperatures generated by woodburners.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves generate a lot of heat. This means that there is a danger of damage to walls around the stove as well as in the vicinity. Installing a wall protection can reduce the heat generated by the stove while protecting the wall. These wall protectors come in a variety of forms, from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protections combine brick and metal to block heat from the stove transferring to the walls, and reflecting it away.

The type of wood that is used to cook in the stove is another important factor to consider. Some types of wood have a tendency to create creosote deposits which can block the chimney and increase the chance of sparks. To help reduce this, it is a good idea to only make use of seasoned wood burners for sale to burn in the stove. This will ensure that the fire is burned at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any moisture remaining, thus which will reduce the formation of creosote deposits.

Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been treated with. Pine is not a great option as it creates a lot smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits to the flue system. Larch wood is not recommended as it is susceptible to Phytophthora the ramorum disease. It also poses health risks when it is removed of its natural habitat.

There is a woodburner to meet the needs of every budget and living space. Choosing the right woodburner is essential to maximise energy efficiency and comfort. By choosing to avoid bigger, more expensive stoves you can save on running costs while still enjoying the warm ambience that comes with a traditional woodburner.