Wood-burning stoves in modern format

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Winter is soon here and it’s time to think about staying warm inside. Wood-burning stoves are in my opinion the best and cosiest way to heat a house.

Stoves of different shapes and sizes have existed for what seems like forever. You might association the term ‘wood burning stove’ with the old, black, and sooty cast iron stoves from the beginning of the 20th Century. However, modern woodburning stoves don’t need to be black, or dirty. There are many different styles and colours these days, and they can be a stylish and warm addition to most rooms in houses, cottages, and even apartments.

What do you think about these modern fireplaces?

WOOD-BURNING STOVES

Facts about wood-burning stoves

The most common wood-burners in Sweden are:

Wood burning stove
A free-standing fireplace connected to a chimney pipe.

Cast iron stove
A free-standing fireplace made of cast iron and connected to a chimney pipe.

Tile stove
A fireplace made of brick and tile. Very efficient, good-looking, and sought-after.

Warming a room with stoves – some technical matters

Around 75 watts of energy per m2 is needed to heat a dwelling. So, if the abode is 100 m2, 75 x 100 = 7.5 kW of energy is needed – assuming that the house is insulated. Most wood-burning stoves produce between 3 – 11 kW of heat energy.

Fireplaces: Light vs. heavy

In Sweden, fireplaces weighing less than 200 kg can be placed freely on the floor. These are called light stoves. Wood-burning stoves that weigh more than 200 kg need a foundation and are classified as heavy. Fire protection, in the form of stone or tile is placed in front of and at times around the stove to prevent heat/fire damage.

Ventilation and stoves

Lit fireplaces contribute to good ventilation because the air that is needed for the fire is generally sucked in from the area around the stove. This are is replaces with fresh air which is sucked in from outside of the room. Natural ventilation can also occur when the fireplace is not lit, if the temperature inside the room is higher than the temperature outside.

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If you don’t have a wood-burning stove or fireplace this Winter, you can always use the old classic fireplace video on TV. I know it’s not the same as the real thing, but sometimes you have to fake it before you make it :)

Do you like modern fireplaces?

/Jon