Using a wood stove is a way to heat a room without being dependent on oil. It can create a welcoming atmosphere by using an inexpensive renewable energy source. Adding a wood stove to your home shouldn't be done without the help of a professional or without knowing the building construction and design requirements. The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not always apply to your specific situation. Keep reading.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing the Stove and Planning the Installation
Step 1. Decide where to put the stove
You do not want to find yourself in the situation of considering where to place it just as you are transporting a 250 kg cast iron one with the trolley. Devote a place in your home to the stove even before buying it. Since it is a bulky heating element, it is best to install it on the ground floor, where the family spends most of their time. To maximize its efficiency even better, find a place in the room that is well insulated so that heat is not lost from the walls and windows.
Remember that every stove needs a chimney. This is something you need to take into consideration when choosing where to install it. If you want a flue that runs straight through the ceiling, for example, you won't be able to place the stove right under the first floor of your home
Step 2. Strictly observe the manufacturer's instructions regarding the free space that must be kept around the stove
It is an element that, when in use, becomes very hot. Radiant heat could jeopardize the integrity of nearby plasterboard walls and furniture, so it is sold with very precise "safety space" instructions. The size of this space depends on the type of stove and its dimensions. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Step 3. Choose a certified model
When you are looking for the right stove for you, always check that it is certified and that it meets the safety criteria, including with regard to emissions. In Italy the regulations that regulate the emission of CO2 and particulate matter are quite strict, but remember that there are also regional regulations that must be respected. Inform yourself carefully.
Step 4. Purchase a model of the right size for your needs
Generally the larger the wood stove is, the warmer it is when it is full of burning wood. However, small rooms may get too hot and uncomfortable if the stove is oversized. Most manufacturers divide the range of stoves by maximum hourly heat emission according to the International System (SI): most stoves emit heat equal to 26000 - 85000 joules. A medium-sized house requires a heat emission between 5300-26000 joules, which means that even a small stove is able to meet the needs of a common home, even during the winter. However, your specific needs may change based on the climate in your region; so for any doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Burning wood at the maximum capacity of the stove for long periods damages the stove itself, so consider a model slightly larger than necessary so you can have a good warmth even by operating it at low speeds
Part 2 of 2: Install a New Stove
Step 1. Before you begin, notify your decision to the municipality's technical office
Just like most building projects, the installation of a stove with its flue must also be approved by the municipal authorities to ensure compliance with safety and anti-pollution regulations. However, the regulations vary from city to city, so contact the relevant office to understand what is legal and what is not in your specific case. If you need to obtain a permit, the technical officer will help you submit the application.
- You will probably also need to contact the competent firefighters in the area, in some regions their clearance is required (following an inspection) before proceeding with the installation.
- Finally, you should also contact the insurance company with which you took out your home policy to make sure that installing a wood stove does not invalidate some coverages.
Step 2. Install a fireproof surface on the floor where the stove will be mounted
This can be made up of bricks, ceramic tiles, concrete or any other non-flammable material; it must also be flush with the rest of the flooring. This is an indispensable element to guarantee safety, since any sparks or embers that splash on the ground will come into contact with the fireproof material and not with the floor, thus reducing the risk of fire. The non-flammable surface is vital in homes with parquet or carpet floors.
In some countries, the law specifies the size of this safety surface. For example, in Canada and the United States it must extend beyond the stove door for a good 45 cm and to the sides by 20 cm
Step 3. Add a fireproof heat shield to adjacent walls
This protects the walls of the house that are near the stove, preventing them from being damaged or catching fire. It is a special screen, often made of metal, but it is not difficult to attach to the walls. Always check the regulations of your city in this regard and find out if special permits are required, if the panels must respect specific safety distances from the stove and so on.
Remember that installing a fire retardant screen may decrease the safety space around the stove
Step 4. Carefully place the stove in the spot you have chosen
If there is no specialized person to help you, you will have to do it yourself. Remember that stoves are made of metal and are incredibly heavy, so put in place all the necessary procedures to protect yourself while moving it. A very sturdy trolley or a manual pallet truck could be the best solution to move the stove without harming yourself.
Small adjustments can be made by hand on the installation site, in which case you will need to ask a friend or family member to help you. You can also attempt to roll the stove to its final location using sturdy PVC pipes
Step 5. Fit the drain hose and connect it to the stove if necessary
A well-functioning chimney is essential for bringing smoke and combustion sediments outside. A badly installed pipe is not able to suck the smoke that remains in the house, dirtying the room and polluting the air. The flues are often an integral part of the building, or they can be installed with the stove itself. In both cases they must be well insulated and made of fireproof material. On new models, they are built in a special, insulating stainless steel.
- You can use a piece of stove pipe to connect it to the chimney. This is an acceptable solution, but remember that the pipe is relatively poorly insulated so it cannot be used as a replacement for the entire flue.
- It is usually best that the chimney is high and straight. The greater the horizontal sections that the smoke has to travel (through curved sections of the pipe, for example), the lower the suction efficiency of the flue will be.
Step 6. Consider getting a professional installer who can also do a test
If fitted incorrectly, wood stoves are a curse to the home, cause damage and could prove dangerous. If you have difficulties during the assembly phase or want to be sure that the work is done in a workmanlike manner, then call a professional. Likewise, if you have any doubts about safety after your installation, call a technician for a test. The safety of your home and family are more important than the money spent on these operations.
If you do not know who to contact for an inspection or testing, you can do a brief search on the internet, or contact the technical office of your municipality
Advice
- Install a smoke and carbon monoxide detector (required by law) to alert you to any leaks or a malfunction in the ventilation system. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell.
- Clean stove ash regularly. Take the ash out of the house in a non-combustible container.
- Burn seasoned wood in the stove. The wood should sound hollow when you hit 2 pieces against each other. Ideally, wood dried in the open air for at least 6 months.
- Route the stove pipe through an internal wall of the house to allow the heat to spread further.
- Call a certified chimney sweep for annual chimney cleaning. You can find one by contacting companies in the sector.
Warnings
- Do not leave the embers burning under the ashes.
- It is necessary to have a chimney for each wood stove installed.
- Do not burn wood that has been painted, treated with chemicals or made for open fireplaces in the stove. The logs for fireplaces contain compressed sawdust mixed with wax.
- Be careful not to start a larger fire than is necessary. Overdoing the fire produces an additional cost, it is a waste of wood and energy. It can also weaken parts of the stove, leading to additional maintenance costs.
- Do not keep the wood for the stove, chemicals or flammable objects within the safe distance.
- Never use chemicals or kerosene to light the fire in the stove.
