Do you want to buy the best wood stove but don't know where to start? Here are our suggestions for determining your needs and selecting the best stove for you.
What floor will the wood stove be installed on, and how many stories will it be installed above? Remember that heat rises. As a result, a wood stove in the basement will radiate heat to the ground floor. A wood stove on the ground floor, on the other hand, will not heat the basement. This principle also applies to cathedral or high ceilings. It should be expected that some heat will be lost due to the height.
Will the heat be easily transferred? Because it is more difficult to distribute heat evenly in a space with many dividing walls, it will be more difficult to heat. It will be easiest to heat open areas and rooms near the wood stove.
How good is your insulation? The better insulated a house is, the more heat it retains inside. The number, type, and orientation of doors and windows, as well as the thermal resistance of the walls, all have an impact on your home's insulation.
How will you put your wood stove to use? A backup heater that provides maximum heat is defined as sustained use. Ambient use refers to an auxiliary heater that creates a warm environment primarily around the appliance. The more intensive your use, the more attention you should pay to the appliance's performance.
How do you calculate the area that needs to be heated? Calculate 100% of the area of the floor on which the wood burning stove is installed, plus 50% of the floor above, plus 25% of the next story, if one exists. A wood stove installed in the basement of an 800 ft2 two-story house, for example, will provide 1,400 ft2 of theoretical heating area. Daily performance of your stove will be influenced by factors such as humidity, wood quality, chimney, and weather. To compensate for these variable factors that affect the performance of your stove, it is recommended to add 15% to the calculated surface area in an ideal environment and up to 35% in a less favorable environment.
It is strongly advised that you read the manual for the wood stoves you are considering ensuring that the requirements for use and installation are appropriate for you.
You can now compare the options and accessories available for the appliances that best suit your needs. Some accessories, such as heat shields and blowers, will help your wood stove perform better, while others, such as legs, bases, and different door styles, will be more aesthetically pleasing.
