The reasons might vary for choosing a wood burner; may be for saving on bill purposes or environmental protection reasons. Here are a few tips to help you.

When choosing a wood burning stove, there is a lot to consider.

• Stove size and type
• The kilowatt output of the
• Stove efficiency
• Cost factor
• Stove heat distribution
• Stove design

Stove size:

The size of the stove you choose should be able to accommodate itself comfortably in the space you choose such that it doesn’t make rest of the space shabby. Inappropriate sizes of stove can damage chimney lining and other furnishings at home as well.

Stove types:

There are two types available in the market.

• Catalytic
• Non-catalytic

Catalytic types use and a combustor and makes it easier to clean and maintain. A non catalytic re-circulates the ash and deposits a part of it on the stove making regular cleaning necessary.

Kilowatt output:

The kilowatt output is usually mentioned as a Btu rating in the stove. This is the heat output the stove gives for any room of any dimension. If your choice for a stove is to reduce your primary heating expenses a lesser output will be sufficient.

Stove efficiency:

The time gap for refueling the stove decides the efficiency. Suppose a stove takes 30 minutes for refueling and another takes 45 minutes then the latter has a better efficiency than the former. But efficiency ratings are not reliable as each stove is tested under different conditions and different refueling period. As refueling and periodical checking is essential, get a complete detail on the time period for fueling it from the companies themselves.

Cost factor:

The cost of a wood burning stove can range as low as $500 to $6000. It depends on the standards you demand. A stove with just wood as the burning fuel can cost much less than that of a multi-fuel stove. Design, sophistication, size and technology included like air wash systems will cost a little more. The installation charges are likely to be more than your actual cost of a stove.

When a stove is used along with your centralized heating systems they cut down your gas and oil bills. Such cases the stoves themselves do not come very expensive. But if you are looking to replace the central heating system with wood burners then you may have to shell out more.

Even if that is the case reduction or elimination of gas bills compensates you expenses.

Stove heat distribution:

If you are keen on distributing the heat evenly through out your house then stoves with back-boiler or stoves that enable secondary pipe lining would be suitable. Using air vents near the ceiling area of wood burning stove will also help in distribution of heat to other places to some extent.

Stove design:

A wood burning stove will be part of your house for a long time. Hence choosing its design also becomes important. As these burners come in different styles right from antique designs to sophisticated and elegant designs, you have a range to choose from. They can be chosen depending on the architecture and interiors of your home.

Mobile stoves!!

Doesn’t a mobile wood burning stove sound more interesting? Yes definitely they do. They are highly sophisticated and well insulated. They can be usually rolled from one place to another. Though the heat distribution factor, fuel consumption are its drawbacks, they are ideal for a vacation home.

We have taken all the above in consideration while designing Pan0ramic FX1.

Aspects like the installation spot, piping, and rearrangement of furnishing should be considered. Inappropriate procedures can ruin your wood burning stove.

Here are few points that you have to remember while fixing your stove:

Consult experts: Consult a building designer to know how apt your space is for stove installation, for repositioning of combustible items, piping areas etc.

Professional Approach: it is always better to have your stove installed by professionals rather than doing it yourself. Though there are many manuals available in the market to help you fix it all by yourself, a professional hands work better, faster and safer.

Always use a double-wall stainless steel vent pipes

Check thoroughly: Make a thorough checking on the connections and check if joints are well screwed. Smoke, embers coming out of them can damage the area around the fire place.

No to trash: Use only the specified fuel for burning and if it is a multi-fuel stove, never burn trash as these would cause internal damage to the catalytic combustor. You might also end up damaging the chimney when combustible materials are part of the trash.

Fire alarms and extinguishers: houses using a wood burning stove must install a fire alarm and keep an extinguisher handy. These always save you during emergency and unexpected fire accidents.

Insurance policy: safety measure is an important step you need to consider while installing a wood burning stove. Make it a point to check with your insurance company if they cover damages due to stove malfunction. Few of the insurance companies do not cover it under their policy.

Maintenance: a professional finish and safety measures aren’t sufficient for a wood burning stove for proper long term functioning. Maintenance of the stove periodically is mandatory.

• Clean the catalyst combustor and do not install it back in a ‘still-wet’ condition. This can cause conduction sparks and ruin the whole combustor.
• Clean the flue pipe every spring, if possible with the help of certified cleaners. Deposits of creosote damage the flue pipe when left without sweeping it out.

Chimney: the height, location and capacity of the chimney must abide by guidelines specified by the government.

• Wood burning stove installation regulations

• Replacing gas fire wood burner

• Points to note while fitting burning stove

• How to choose a wood burning stove. (Tips)