Using a wood burning stove pipe requires understanding the basics of how they are made and the precautions to take when installing. There are many different stoves you can use, two different pipes for installation, and different steps to take to ensure the piping is secure and not affecting any walls, ceilings, and/or furniture in its vicinity.
The first thing to take note with your wood stove option is the placement to accomplish your goal of zone heating. You want to heat as much as possible in the house, but it must be done safely. Care must be taken to meet code requirements for proximity to combustible materials, such as wood and cloth.
The wood burning stove has about a 40 to 65 percentage of energy efficiency whereas an outdoor furnace has a 70 percentage in using available heat. Some high quality cast iron wood stoves have an efficiency of up to 90%. With the addition of a catalytic converter, it is possible to attain even higher efficiencies.
Another type of stove available for wood burning use is the pellet fed stove. This stove has a steady electronic feeder and it is also very easy to control. For many homeowners this is a a very attractive option. It is clean, safe, and predictable.
The wood burning stove pipe has two different options available. There is the Single Wall and the Double Wall – also known at the Close – Clearance pipe. The single wall pipe has been designed to connect the stove to a chimney or vent that has at least an 18″ clearance from the stove to the entrance of the chimney.
This pipe is lighter than the double wall piece and cheaper. The double wall pipe is more expensive but ideal for installing in a tight area and for maximum protection against fixtures. Both of these pipes can be trimmed to fit with any type of grinding tools or shears.
Using at least 3 screws to installation can also assist in making the connection stronger and more secure. When browsing for the pipe to use – make sure that all pieces are bought from the same brand, crossing over and combining will make installation difficult and will not have the most secure connection.
Walls and floors can be protected if they are covered in a bare concrete slab or if they are topped with either tile or brick. With installing new pipes, there can be smoke or an odor being emitted from the pipes. This is normal and is caused because the pain on the pipe is curing. If and when this occurs there is the option of opening a window or door to air out that space.