Wood stoves are very efficient and practical heating devices. In fact, they have become one of the preferred options thanks to both the variety of designs and the material they use as fuel.
You may be thinking about buying a wood stove. But do you know how to find the most suitable one for your home? In ParaTuReforma we are going to tell you.
Wood stoves
Before telling you about the features and advantages of wood stoves and giving you the best advice on how to choose one, we want to define exactly what they are. Why? Many people tend to confuse them with fireplaces.
Stoves are usually made of metallic materials such as steel and cast iron. In addition, they are always closed and can be installed anywhere. The only requirement is that they are connected to an exhaust pipe, which is always visible. Normally, they only heat the room in which they are located.
On the other hand, fireplaces have refractory materials that do not absorb heat. On the other hand, it is common for them to be open. They have a higher calorific value, so that, accompanied by a suitable duct system, they can heat the home completely.
Features
Having made the above clarification, it is time to explain what are the defining characteristics of wood stoves. Let’s take a look at them:
- They have a very high efficiency. On average, they are able to use more than 75 % of the heat generated by the fuel. In addition, their carbon dioxide emissions are minimal. Approximately 0.09 % of the total, which is almost negligible.
- They can be installed almost anywhere. Directly on the floor, on a shelf or legs, hanging from the wall or ceiling, etc.
- They are available in a wide variety of designs. It is a heating system that supports all kinds of styles. In this sense, the steel and cast iron used for their manufacture provide endless possibilities.
- They are very safe. They have a cold-touch glass that allows the flames to be seen from the outside, but prevents anyone from coming into contact with them. This element is also very easy to clean.
- They have systems to easily collect the ashes. These residues are deposited in a container called ashtray. It only needs to be removed, emptied and replaced to continue using the stove without any problem.
Advantages
Now it is time for you to know the reasons why you should opt for a wood stove rather than another heating system in your home. Pay attention:
- Respect for the environment. As we said before, the level of emissions derived from wood combustion is very low. Therefore, by using this system to heat your home you will be avoiding the generation of particles that are harmful to the environment and that promote the greenhouse effect.
- Price. Firewood, taking into account its calorific value, is a much cheaper fuel than pellets. pelletnatural gas, electricity or diesel. In addition, this price remains much more stable than any other. If you have rural land and a place to store it conveniently, you may even get it for free.
- Decoration of the environment. Wood stoves are not only very useful when it comes to heating the home, but they also stand out for their aesthetics. In fact, very few elements are able to provide a warmer and cozier image to a living room than this one.
On the other hand, wood sto ves can last a lifetime if they are properly maintained. Undoubtedly, this is an additional plus to bet on them if you are tired of spending a lot of money to heat your home.
How to choose a
Before choosing the right wood stove for your home, you have to take into account a number of very important aspects. The first is the type:
- Double combustion stoves. They are the most modern and efficient, since they burn the gases derived from the combustion of firewood. This makes them offer an efficiency of more than 80% and generate practically zero polluting emissions.
- Turbo stoves. This is a more economical alternative. They owe their name to the fact that they have an auxiliary ventilation system that accelerates combustion, which allows them to heat the environment faster. In addition, they generate hardly any soot.
- Radiation stoves. They stand out for their great autonomy, although their consumption is quite high. On the other hand, refractory materials are used to conserve and spread the heat generated. In terms of design, they are the most modern and elegant.
Double combustion stoves are recommended as the main heating system. On the other hand, turbo stoves can be used for this purpose in small dwellings, while radiant stoves are only recommended as auxiliary systems.
On the other hand, we must also refer to the heat output of the stove. In this regard, we can say that:
- If your house has a low level of insulation, you will need at least 100 W/m² of power. Or, in other words, 0.04 kW/m³.
- If the insulation level of your house is intermediate, 80 W/m² or 0.032 kW/m³ will be more than enough.
- If your house has an optimal insulation level, you will only need 60 W/m² (0.024 kW/m³).
Finally, you should pay attention to the additional comfort options that some stoves have. We are talking, for example, about the presence of fans that distribute the heat, the use of glass-ceramic glass or automated operating systems.
As you have seen in this article, wood sto ves are a very interesting alternative to heat your home. If you have any questions or want to ask us for a no obligation quote, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to advise you and help you in whatever you need.
