Stove Fireplaces - How to Choose, Install and Maintain a Stove Fireplace

A fireplace on the stove is a great way to warm your home. To start the fire, crush newspaper and place it in the grate of the stove. Add a pyramid of kindling on top, and keep the vents of your stove open to speed up heating.

Make sure you use kiln-dried or seasoned wood to avoid creosote deposits in the chimney. Open the damper only when the stove is not hot. This will allow heat to escape, and release toxins in the room.

Selecting a wood burning stove

A fireplace in the stove can add character and comfort into rooms. But it's important to choose the best stove for the job. There are many factors to consider, including the dimensions, type and location. When selecting a stove, safety is also a major aspect to take into consideration.

The first step is to decide whether or not you'd like to install a freestanding wood stove or an insert. An insert is typically placed within a fireplace while freestanding wood burning stoves can be put in any place within the building. Freestanding stoves have more flexibility than inserts, including the ability to cook as well as more radiant heat. They can also be used to heat water and are a good alternative for power outages. Some examples of modern freestanding wood stoves include designer Antonio Citterio's take on American Shaker stoves and Danish brand Wittus's suspended bulbous stove on the starchitect Bjarke Ingels' Copenhagen houseboat.

When selecting a stove, you should also take into consideration the size of the room you want to heat. Small stoves work well for heating a small room or cabin, while larger wood stoves can be used to heat larger dwellings. Larger wood stoves work best in older homes as well as those with draft issues.

After you have determined the amount of space you would like to heat, you can select a stove. It is important to remember that a stove that is too big for the space could overheat and produce excessive heat. This can result in poor efficiency in energy and higher cost of fuel. Utilizing a stove calculator as well as getting advice on sizing from experts can help you prevent this issue.

It is also important to choose a stove that has the minimum standards of emissions regulation. All stoves sold in the UK must be in compliance with the standards set by Ecodesign that ensures high efficiencies and lower emissions than older models. When choosing the latest stove be sure to look for the "ClearSkies" label.

Installation

The installation of a fireplace for a stove is a complicated task that requires specialist skills. It is important to hire a qualified installer who will make sure that the stove is installed correctly and that it meets local building codes. In addition to installing the stove, your installer will also need to install a flue liner, and make sure that the chimney is measured. The flue liner and chimney should be constructed from materials that are suitable for use in the stove's fire and are able to stand up to the heat generated by combustion.

Make sure you choose a the best location for your stove before you begin the installation. It is recommended to put it on the first floor of your house in the area where you spend the majority of your time. It is also important to select a location with enough space between it and combustible surfaces. This includes floors, furniture, and walls made from panels, drywall, or plaster. Check the manufacturer's guidelines to determine the distance between combustible surfaces and the stove. If your stove is not listed, you must follow the National Fire Protection Association recommendations for clearances.

Make sure that you have a non-combustible hearth pad to protect the floor underneath your stove. This should be a minimum of 250mm wide and 225mm deep. It should be made of non-combustible bricks or tiles. This pad will transfer the heat from the stove to the floor, so it's essential to design it to dissipate heat. The pad will wear down and need to be replaced.

You should also ensure that you have enough space to store the firewood that will be used to power your stove. The ideal is for the wood to be cut and dried before it is put into your stove. This will decrease maintenance and also prevent the accumulation of tar in the flue.

If you have an existing fireplace, it may be possible to install an electric stove without the necessity of a chimney. It is recommended to check with your local council's website and offices to determine whether this is an appropriate option for your home. If you do not have a chimney, you may install a direct-to-gas stove using a flue pipe with insulation as a chimney substitute. However, you must make sure that your installation is in compliance with all local and HETAS regulations prior to using the stove.

Safety

A fire in the fireplace creates a warm holiday atmosphere. The flames and soothing crackle of the logs can add to the ambiance of the home, however it is important to take care when using your fireplace to prevent fire hazards. The most basic fire safety measures include smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in the home and a family escape plan that everyone understands and practices. Other safety measures related to fire are to keep children out from the wood stove and fireplace and to prevent pets or children from reaching to the flames, and keeping the chimney free of creosote that is flammable.

If your stove is pellet, gas or wood burning it is recommended that the chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional each year before use. A clean chimney will help prevent chimney fires as well other hazards to safety such as carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also recommended to clean the flue and damper regularly, and storing woodstove ashes in a metal container that is kept outside of the home.

If you own a pellet or gas stove, you must make sure the flue vents are opened when the stove is operating to control air flow and minimize smoke. The EPA recommends that the chimney be vented to the outside at minimum three feet above any combustible area and the top of the chimney should be lined with a chimney liner.

Always make sure that the fire is put out completely prior to leaving or returning home. Also, keep a class A extinguisher near you and clean it of any debris to make it easy to reach in the event of an emergency.

Making sure the stove is installed correctly is also essential. It should be properly installed in the room and must be the correct distance from combustible substances. Do not connect your wood burning stove to the chimney of a different appliance, for example furnace or water heater. This could lead to deadly carbon monoxide leakage into your home.

Using the right kind of wood is also important. You should never burn wet or rotten logs, painted or pressure-treated lumber or scrap wood. These can release harmful chemicals into the air you breathe, which can irritate your lungs and cause respiratory problems for family members suffering from asthma or other respiratory issues.

Maintenance

Installing and using a fireplace stove could help you save money on heating and keep your home warm. However, proper maintenance procedures should be followed to avoid any damage or danger that could occur. This includes annual chimney inspections as well as sweepings, making sure the area around your wood stove is free of flammable and hazardous materials. Also, it is important to install smoke detectors in every room of your home, keeping an extinguisher near by and cleaning the wood burning stove and the chimney that leads to it regularly.

Wood stoves require less maintenance than fireplaces made of masonry, however they require regular maintenance in order to function safely and effectively. While the exact procedure will vary by stove model the majority of wood stoves require frequent cleaning of creosote that has accumulated in the chimney and flue. It is also essential to ensure that the firebox is free of flammable material and to make sure that the grates, baffle plates and bottom burn plate in good shape. It is also an excellent idea to examine the gaskets on the glass door for any signs of wear or tear which can allow cold air into your home, and could decrease the efficiency of heat.

Fireplaces in stoves that are not maintained can cause an explosion of fire that spreads out from the firebox into the house. This poses a serious fire risk, which could lead to injuries or even death. To prevent this from happening homeowners must be certain to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for operation of their stove. This will ensure that all combustion byproducts have been cleared from the house and the wood stove is operating at the right temperature to ensure efficient operation.

When the stove's fire is done, it is important to allow it to cool completely before emptying the ash tray. Ash can contain burning embers for a long time after the fire goes out, and the improper disposal of them is one of the main causes of home wood stove fires. Therefore it is suggested that homeowners use a metal ash container and dispose of them in a secure way.