Installation Of Wood-burning Stove in Existing Fireplace

Wood-burning stoves are an energy-efficient way to heat your home and offer many benefits. Whether you're looking to reduce your energy bills or just want to enjoy the crackling of a log fire, there are plenty of reasons to convert a gas fireplace to a wood burning stove.

Fortunately, installing a wood-burning stove in an existing fireplace is usually a fairly simple process. If you have an existing gas fireplace in your home, read on to learn the best ways to convert it to a wood-burning stove.

 

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Can all types of gas fireplaces be retrofitted?
Unfortunately, not all fireplaces can be retrofitted. The ability to install a wood burning stove depends on several factors:

 

Size of the fireplace
The opening of an existing fireplace must be large enough to comfortably accommodate a wood-burning stove, while also leaving enough space around the fireplace. There needs to be a safe distance between the fireplace and combustible materials such as wallpaper, which could catch fire if they are too close.
Allowing more space around the stove will also allow more air to circulate and improve ventilation. This leads us to the next thing to consider ......

 

Room ventilation
Fires need oxygen to burn, which means that wood burning stoves need plenty of air to work properly. If your existing fireplace is in a room that does not have adequate ventilation, you are likely to experience problems such as excessive smoke or difficulty burning wood. Stoves with a rated output of 5 kilowatts do not require additional ventilation.

 

Chimney and flue types
The chimney is one of the most important considerations when evaluating the suitability of a fireplace for the installation of a wood-burning stove. If you live in a home that does not have a properly functioning chimney, it may not be possible to install a wood burning stove.

 

The flue system is also an important factor to consider. Many gas fireplaces are flue-less or use a gas flue that is not suitable for installing a wood-burning stove, so you will need to install a new flue in order to retrofit your fireplace.

 

Smoke control areas
You need to check if you are located in a smoke control zone. If this is the case you need to ensure that you are installing a DEFRA exempt product. All Gnee Garden stoves are DEFRA exempt products.

 

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How to Convert a Gas Fireplace to a Wood Burning Stove?
Once you have determined that your fireplace is suitable for conversion, the next step is to understand how to install a wood burning stove. This may seem like a daunting task, but we've outlined the process below to help you.

 

Inspect and clean the chimney
A properly functioning chimney is vital for a wood-burning stove, so it's important to make sure that all of the chimney's components are in good working order. If you know how to perform fireplace maintenance, you can do it yourself, but it may be easier to enlist the help of a professional.

It's also important to sweep your chimney before installing a wood-burning stove to make sure it's properly cleaned, as any buildup in the chimney could lead to a fire. Chesney recommends that all chimneys are properly lined before the stove is installed. This will ensure the most efficient combustion. The lining also prevents the chimney from leaking carbon monoxide, as the stove and chimney outlet are sealed.

 

Choosing the right type of stove
Wood burning stoves come in different shapes and sizes and it is important to choose the right one for your space and needs.

You should also consider the heat output of the stove to ensure that it is powerful enough to provide enough heat for your home. If the room where the fireplace is located is large or has high ceilings, you will need a stove with a higher heat output.

 

Installing a Carbon Monoxide Detector
The law requires you to install a carbon monoxide detector near your new wood-burning stove. The detector must be located in the same room as the stove, either on the ceiling or on a high wall. The horizontal distance between the carbon monoxide detector and the stove should be between one and three meters.

 

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