Wood burning stoves are an old-school heating style dating back to the 1500s, but installing them has become much easier than before. Although there are other modern heating methods that one can have in their home, many people dream to have wood stoves in their homes.
Keep in mind that you can’t go through all the steps of installing a wood-burning stove by yourself, and it’s advisable to contact professional help. It’s also important to focus on safety while installing it. In this guide, we will explore the step-by-step process needed to install a wood stove.
Installing a Wood Burning Stove
1. Check the Building Regulations
The first thing to do is check whether the installation of your wood-burning stove is in line with the building regulations. You won’t need planning permission from the building owner if you’re not adding a chimney. Still it’s advisable to check and be prepared. You can check the local council’s website to get information.
It is also crucial to check whether you are living in a smoke controlled area. The information for this will be included on the local council’s website. If you aren’t, then you can fit a stove in your home. But, if your property is in a smoke controlled area, you can only use an exempt appliance since the stove involves burning wood. So it’s best to do your research on all these matters first before deciding to install a wood-burning stove.
2. Prepare the Right Position
With all the research done and completed, prepare an opening and choose the right place for your wood-burning stove. Firstly, your stove should be installed away from combustible materials like the furniture and flammable walls and flooring. If you will be using the wood-burning stove to provide heat to your home, then it’s imperative that you choose a central location.
If you already have a fireplace in your place, you will have to remove it to create space for your wood-burning stove. You should also add protection around it by choosing the right walls and flooring made from heat- and flame-resistant materials. Even if you install the wood stove away from the walls, they should still be kept safe.
3. Choose the Right Model
The next thing to do is choose the wood-burning stove that you wish to use in your home. Again there are different factors to consider when choosing a stove for your house.
For one, the stove should comply with all current and future guidelines in this aspect. You can do your due research about the regulations in your region and purchase your stove based on this.
Another factor to consider when choosing your stove model is the size. You will need to consider the fireplace space or wherever you intend to put your stove and compare it to the sizes of the stoves you want to purchase.
The heating output of the stove is another critical factor. As these stoves come in different sizes and specifications, the heating output has to be suitable for the space that you intend to heat, whether it’s one room or your entire place. You can calculate the heating requirement by multiplying the width, height and depth in meters and dividing them by 14. Then, you can check the specifications of the wood-burning stove and compare the numbers. If you’re going to use your stove in a place with high ceilings or open space, then you need to purchase one with higher output.
4. Design the Fireplace
Some different regulations and rules cover the design of your fireplace. These include how the hearth should be constructed and how far the stove would be from other combustible materials. If you don’t have any knowledge about in-house construction, you can hire a professional to design your fireplace.
Asides from the regulations, you also have to keep your décor and the design of your choice in mind. When buying new materials, you can ask your local building regulations inspector for distance regulations.
5. Make a Plan for the Ashes
Since you would be burning wood on the stove, you can expect it to produce a lot of ashes. So, before you install the stove in your property, you should set a plan aside on how to handle the ashes and dispose of them so that it doesn’t cause a mess in your home.
If you have a garden, you can use the ash as a compost heap but if not, you can throw them out with the rest of the garbage. You can use other disposable methods but keep in mind that the ash can remain flammable and hot for days after it was burned. So, you should store them in a non-combustible metal container until they are safe for disposal.
6. Install the Stove
With all the preparations done, you can install your new wood-burning stove. It can take about two days depending on the installer and the type of stove, although it can also take longer. In this case, you should hire a qualified installer.
You can check the local regulations of your region and see if there is a list of recommended installers that you can hire. There are also other ways that you can contact professional installers. So, do your research and install the stove.
7. Get the Right Type of Wood
Now that you have your stove installed in your place, you need wood to get it running and keep your house warm. It’s recommended to use wood with low moisture content for a burning stove because those with higher moisture produce more smoke.
You should also keep the wood that you want to use in the nearest future in the property to get rid of any surface moisture. For instance, if you want to use the wood in the evening, then bring them inside in the morning of the same day.
8. Prepare for Regular Maintenance
You would also have to maintain your wood-burning stove regularly if you want the unit to last long and keep on working properly. It should be cleaned by a professional regularly and inspected annually to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with it. After years of using your stove, there’s no doubt that you would require repairs.
Can I Install My Wood Burner Stove Myself?
If you’re working in obedience to the building rules and also obtain a compliance certificate, you can technically install a wood burner stove in your home. But, there’s a lot of life-threatening danger and risks involved when a stove is not properly installed, so it’s advisable to hire a professional for the job.
You can get started with the research and preparations needed to install a wood burner stove in your home. With a wood burner stove, you can enjoy different benefits and keep your home safe. Many stove models are leaning towards eco-friendliness, and wood is kinder to the environment than electricity or gas. The stoves are also highly efficient in producing heat, as only 20% is lost through the chimney, and the rest goes into keeping your home warm.
