The primary function of all heaters is to heat the home. Wood heaters are the most popular since they are not so expensive. Some people may use them for cooking as well as heating up space. Others use them for recreational purposes when the doors are left open to enjoy the flames. They can also be used for decorative purposes as well as practical purposes.
The heat from the wood heater cannot be distributed to other rooms. They do not have pipes or duct systems connected to them as in air conditioning systems. They can only heat up another room marginally. So they are best placed in the room where they are needed most. This can be the room where a family does most of its living. It then should be centrally located in that room.
It is possible to have the room with the heater get overheated while other rooms in the house remain relatively cool. The heater should be located in an airy space and not a confined space. This allows for combustion to take place properly while reducing the risk of overheating. The heaters are usually designed to heat up limited spaces rather than heat up large rooms. This way they remain effective. They are actually more efficient than the open wood-burning fireplaces. This is mainly due to their sophisticated designs.
Also Read This: A Close Look at The Super-Energy Efficient Alderlea Range
Most of the modern designs are usually airtight. This means they have controlled slots and holes that regulate the amount of air that gets into the combustion chamber. This then controls the combustion rate and the heat produced. This increases their efficiency as compared to the open wood fireplaces.
A wood heater has several components. The cabinet is its main body and includes the door and the stand. Depending on the design of the heater, the cabinet can have a single door or double doors. It is usually made of solid metal or glass.
The combustion chamber is where the fire is lit and maintained. It is usually made of steel or cast iron. In some of the designs, you may find a firebrick liner that protects the walls and floor of the heater. The vent pipe is another feature of a wood heater. It connects the heater to the chimney. It usually is made of black steel. Galvanised steel is not recommended as it gives toxic fumes. The zinc in the steel also melts at high temperatures.
Some have their own chimneys inbuilt. There are also some heaters that are designed to share chimneys as long as they are on the same floor level. The chimney can be made of metal or stone.
The modern designs allow them to be free standing. But you can still find designs that are inserted into fireplaces or partially recessed into the fireplaces. These designs may at times have a poor connection between the insert and the fireplace. If poorly installed they can have lower efficiency rates. A professional and certified installer can help in the installation of such designs.