Wood has been the primary source of heat for many years. An open fire inside a house is not a good idea as a heating system. Today many homes have turned to wood-fired heating systems. Woodfire heaters have an enclosed compartment surrounded by fireproof materials, and wood is burned inside to produce heat. It is a standalone appliance with a duct for smoke and waste gases. The heater is energy efficient and requires less wood than the open fire, and is used to heat large living areas and rooms. However, the performance of the heater depends on how well your home is insulated. In a poorly insulated house, heat loss occurs through ceilings, walls, and windows.
Choosing a heater
The configuration of a room and the insulation plays a significant part in choosing a wood-fired heater. Convection heaters are recommended for homes with lower ceilings and well-insulated rooms. Convection wood heaters draw cool air from the room, heat it, and circulate the warm air around the room. Radiant wood heaters disperse the heat by radiating the heat from the outer surface of the heater to any other surface near it. It is suitable for houses with high ceilings and poor insulation because the heat stays lower in the room.
A convection heater builds heat gradually to provide well-distributed warmth. As a radiant heater has no heat shields, the heat is intense, allowing rapid heat emission.
Where to place the wood-fired heater
If the heater is in the wrong place, it cannot spread heat effectively throughout the house. The location chosen for the heater should be big enough to accommodate it. It should also be in a place safely away from anything combustible like furniture, carpets, flooring, and walls. There should be enough space near the heater to store the firewood.
The section of the floor below the heater should be of stone, brick, or tile. It is best to avoid wooden flooring as sparks may jump out of the heater and land below the heater. The right flooring is required to keep the place safe. The wall needs to be protected like the floor and should be heat and flame-resistant. The heater is placed safely from the wall to protect it from high heat and stray sparks.
Maintenance
A wood-fired heater needs good maintenance to keep it in the best condition. The burning of wood causes the deposit of ash, dust, dirt, and creosote. The interior of the fireplace requires regular cleaning to make the fireplace burn more efficiently. Ash and dirt from the fireplace can be transmitted through the air and cause diseases if inhaled for a long time. Keeping the fireplace clean will prevent it from catching fire unnecessarily.
Wood for heaters
It is essential to choose the right kind of wood for the heater. Oak and birch burn for a long time and produce more heat. They are easier to handle because they cause less creosote buildup. Softwoods like cedar and pine burn faster and produce more ash and dust. The softwood doesn’t make much heat like the hardwood. The wood should be dry and have less moisture content to burn well without emitting smoke. Wood briquettes, pellets, and chips are also used as fuel for the heater.
Many people prefer woodfire heaters because they can be installed anywhere in a house. It radiates heat in all directions and keeps the place warm. It is better for the environment, and it eliminates the need for fossil fuels. It will keep your house warm even when there is a power outage. Wood-fired heaters provide warmth and become a statement piece that gives a warm look to the place.
“Author Name : Mary Kate“
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