Nothing can beat sitting in front of the roaring fire of a wood heater on those cold winter nights, listening to the crackling sound of the wood-burning. One of the reasons why wood heaters have become so popular is because it is an efficient and reliable source of heat. A wood heater is a heating appliance that is capable of burning wood fuel indoor. Wood heaters produce radiant heat which heats up an area faster and more efficiently than a traditional fireplace. Another type of wood heater commonly used is convection heaters which emit heat through panels and fans, providing a well-distributed warmth to the room, or an entire house....
A wood heater is a heating appliance that is capable of burning wood fuel indoor. There are many different types of wood heaters, designs and sizes to choose from to suit any space, style and budget to ensure that your family is being kept warm on even the coldest nights.
One of the reasons why wood heaters have become so popular is because it is an efficient and reliable source of heat. Wood heaters produce radiant heat which heats up an area faster and more efficiently than a traditional fireplace. Another type of wood heater commonly used is convection heaters which emit heat through panels and fans, providing a well-distributed warmth to the room, or an entire house.
Wood heaters operate by controlling the amount of wood and air supply to the fire. It distributes heat by radiating it out from the metal box and flue or by convection heat through hot air released from the vents. Wood heaters are super-efficient as they convert between 55-70% of the energy used into household heat and emits enough heat to warm up large areas for extended periods of time.
A wood-burning stove can also be called a wood burner or log burner, it is a heating appliance that burns wood to produce heat. It’s a box-like unit that sits on a flat fireproof slab of material in your home. They are made of cast iron, stone or steel for the frame with glass panels for the door of the stove while the insides are lined with a fireproof material on the back, sides and bases.
Wood stoves are more efficient compared to an open fireplace, as it allows the user to control the amount of wood in the stove and the air supply to the fire. A wood stove is used to heat up rooms in a home and/or an entire home by transferring the heat around with appliances such as fans.
There are different types of wood heaters, freestanding convection heaters, inbuilt heaters, insert heaters and pellet heaters.
Freestanding convection heaters are designed with air cavities around the outside of the firebox and then a decorative outer casting. Inside is a convection chamber that allows the air space to constantly circulate the air, as warm air rises it is displaced by cooler air, which then warms up from the stove and rises up to follow. Through this cycle, the hottest air is pushed to the ceiling, and the warm air remaining in the lower part of the room. Convection heaters provide a well-distributed warmth to the room and are ideal for well-insulated homes with standard height ceilings.
Inbuilt heaters are designed to be built into a heat-sensitive structure within a building or home. It is a modern energy-efficient alternative to an open brick fireplace. If your home has an existing brick fireplace, you can upgrade with an inbuilt insert heater.
Insert heaters allows you to transform any blank wall with minimal structural impact. This option gives the flexibility of placing the heater in the room of your choice. It is a great alternative when you don’t have an existing brick fireplace.
Pellet heaters are commonly used to create a source of heat for residential and sometimes industrial spaces. Pellet heaters burn compressed wood or biomass pellets to distribute heat to the room. It functions by slowly feeding fuel from a storage container known as a hopper, into a burn-pot area and produces no smoke. It is suitable for small to medium-sized rooms and is a clean, convenient and environmentally friendly option.
'Fireplace' and 'wood heater' are terms with quite different meanings. A fireplace is generally part of the house's structure, inserted into a wall and are the most traditional wood burners. An open fireplace will only provide heat directly in front of the line. They are the least efficient with only about 5-10% of the energy being used towards heating up the room with most of the heat going up the flue. This means that they can produce radiant heat but can only provide heat in a localised area and tend to consume the use of more wood.
A wood heater is a heating appliance with a flue and comes in many variations such as convection heaters and insert heaters which can be installed into existing fireplaces. Wood heaters are the more efficient option when it comes to burning wood to produce heat, as the user has more control of the amount of oxygen the fire is exposed to and the amount of wood inserted. These wood heaters aren’t electricity dependent and convert between 55- 77% of the energy used. It effectively heats large areas around the house for an extended period of time.
A wood heater works by allowing a fire to burn wood inside an enclosed compartment surrounded by fireproof materials. The components of a wood heater consist of a stove, flue, damper and baffle.
Each with its own important part to play for the wood-burning stove to function effectively. Firstly, you light a fire in the wood-burning stove, which then produces heat and warms the air in the room. The smoke then travels out through the flue, the damper gives you control of the airflow to the stove, which determines how large the fire grows. Lastly, a baffle increases the combustion time of the right gasses, if not properly combusted it can cause serious air pollutants.
The simple answer to this question is no, it is not recommended to self-install a wood heater. Wood heaters need to be installed according to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2918, specific manufacturer’s instructions and the Building Code of Australia. You should contact your local council to check on building regulations, local covenants and any required permits that are needed. Other things to consider are your neighbours, ensuring that smoke from your flue does not enter their living space and impact on their air quality. It is strongly recommended to get a qualified professional for the installation. A qualified installer will be able to explain in detail the installation conditions and process based on your type of home and any home insurance requirements before you proceed.
On average, a wood heater can last between 10 and 20 years. Cheaper models may not last more than ten years, while a well-constructed; well maintained and properly used wood heater can have a life expectancy of 20 years or more.
There are different factors that influence how long a wood heater can last and they include the quality of the materials used, how regularly the stove is used and for how long, whether the stove has properly been used or over-fired, replacement parts availability and how well maintained the wood heater has been.
If you want your wood heater to last, it’s essential to operate according to the manufacture with the proper care. It’s best to use dry seasoned wood such as hardwood and avoid the green unseasoned wood. Wood heaters from a reputable brand will often last longer and are in the higher price range.
The question of how much wood a wood heater uses is similar to the question how long is a piece of string.
Speaking of an average sized 3-bedroom home that typically has the heater burning overnight and, on the weekends, the household can expect to use approximately 3 tonnes of wood over the course of Winter.
However, there are many variables that play into the amount of wood that a wood heater uses. The below variables may have an impact on the amount of wood used over the Winter season.
Heater:There isn’t a measurable answer since you will need to factor in all other variables that will impact how long a piece of wood lasts for. This will depend on the size of the wood, the density, the moisture content and how many pieces of wood are in a wood heater.
There are many benefits of owning a wood heater especially during those cold winter nights. A wood burner can produce heat throughout your home by warming it up quickly and effectively. There are a range of different sizes available with varying levels of heat output. It is best to choose a model that is appropriate for the size of your home as well as the space that it will be used in. A wood heater can also create a more comforting and homely feel to your home.
With energy prices constantly increasing, people are finding it expensive to heat up their homes. Therefore, wood heaters are efficient and cost effective during those cold winter months for your family. Wood can be a cheaper resource and it will end up saving you money in the long haul.
The Kent wood heater is designed to suit every home, style and budget with its wide range of heaters. The firebox is lined with firebricks and made from a special grade of 6mm thick steel which maintains a thermal efficiency.
Kent wood heaters are more efficient than ever and better for you and the environment. Our range of heaters burn up to 2 times cleaner than the national standard for emissions of 1.5g/kg. Plus, the increased efficiency means your heater will burn less fuel to heat up your entire home. Kent wood heaters use low emission technology to gain maximum heat output to circulate throughout your home. This helps in minimising the use of emission into the atmosphere. Kent is committed to protecting the environment and delivering a high-quality product to its customers. This efficient and environmentally friendly wood heater is one of the cleanest burning heaters on the market with options of insert wood heaters and Freestanding wood heaters.
Kent wood heaters are more efficient than ever and better for you and the environment. Our wood heaters are designed in Australia to burn hardwood and are tested to the most stringent of standards. The current joint Australian and New Zealand Standard 4013/4012 measure particulate emissions and efficiency and we are proud to say our heaters exceed the requirements of these standards. Buying a Kent wood heater gives you a clean burning, efficient method of keeping your home warm throughout winter. By joining with Kent, we are all working towards restoring the environment and protecting its long-term sustainability.
We all need to consider our use of natural resources and the effect we have on the environment. Wood, as a form of natural energy, is a sustainable and renewable fuel source for heat generation. Wood burning in a Kent wood heater does not add to the greenhouse effect. If wood is left to naturally decay, consumed in a bush fire or burnt in a wood heater, it emits similar levels of CO2. Therefore, this efficient and environmentally friendly wood heater is one of the cleanest burning heaters on the market.
If you are thinking of purchasing a wood heater, it is important to ensure that you adhere to Australian Standard by getting it professionally installed and that you operate it efficiently and with care. This will ensure that you are taking all the safety precautions in operating it correctly by maintaining the safety of your residents nearby. The wood must also be of sufficient quality (dry wood that has been properly seasoned) such as Hardwood firewood in order for it work efficiently.
When we talk about wood heating efficiency levels, wood heaters with high efficiency levels use less wood to generate the same amount of heat. This allows it to create less emissions when the wood heater is functioning and operating correctly. The current Australian Standard for wood heater efficiency must be a minimum of 60%.
A wood heater is typically less expensive to run than electric, gas or other home heating systems.
An average sized 3-bedroom home that typically has the heater burning overnight and, on the weekends, the household can expect to use approximately 3 tonnes of wood over the course of Winter.
However, there are many variables that come into play that may have an impact on the costs of a wood heater when in use during the cold winter season.
Heater:There is a huge range of wood heaters available in many different styles and sizes making it easy to find one that best suits your home. Wood heaters have countless benefits and can be a great option by acting as a home heater. This includes being cost effective in which case wood is an inexpensive fuel source, the crackle of a burning fire that is difficult to beat, and the warmth and heat that can circulate throughout your home during those cooler months.
Wood heaters are popular because they are a great option for utilising old fireplaces that exist in homes. An insert heater can be easily fitted to the fireplace to offer optimal heating while still maintaining the visual focal point in the living space. There is nothing more comforting than sitting in front of a roaring wood fire and enjoying the warmth it brings to your home.
Another reason is wood heaters are energy efficient, through the use of wood-burning, it reduces the reliance on electricity. The average wood heater maintains an estimated efficiency of around 70% with some ranging up to 99% efficiency. This surpasses the National standard of a wood heater’s efficiency levels of a minimum 60%. This is a cost- effective method of heating as more heat is permeated from the wood heater instead of through electricity or any other costly form.
Wood heaters are not too hard to clean, though it is best to get the flue of the heater cleaned by a trained technician annually to be safe and worry-free. If the flue is not maintained properly it could be the cause of a house fire.
Other parts of a wood heater do not require a trained technician, just caution and safety due to its hot nature. To clean your wood heater, you must wait for the heater to completely stop burning before using a shovel and brush to sweep up the ash gathered inside. Once the wood heater has completely cooled down, remove the ash using metal tools to keep yourself and the equipment safe. The best way to dispose of ash is by placing it in a galvanised bucket. This will hold the ash and not form any rust, spread it across your garden as the ashes can be used as soil.
Lastly, for the glass exterior use warm soapy water and scouring brush to scrub the glass of any dirt and residue ash resting on the glass. If the glass is covered in dried soot, use a harsher brush or scrubber.
It is best to have your wood heater professionally installed to ensure the heater has been installed properly and doesn’t pose as a fire hazard. We would recommend asking the place of purchase to supply contact details of a professional installer. Costs factors can differ when installing a wood heater with the different variables such as labour, customization and the type of wood heater or fireplace that are taken in consideration.
Kent wood heaters are sold nationally throughout a variety of retailers. Please refer to our website to a full list of retailers that sell Kent wood heaters.
Yes, it is advised that you will need Council approval if you wish to install or replace a wood heater or open fireplace in your home.
Incorrect installation, fuel or operating procedures may cause wood heaters to emit excessive smoke, soot and odours which may cause a range of health risks to your residents nearby. Therefore, it is very important that residents ensure their wood heaters are operated efficiently and are not emitting excessive smoke. Heaters that adhere to Australian Standard 4013 which are installed and operated correctly are less polluting and less likely to create health effects.
It is important to keep up the maintenance of wood heaters to ensure the safety of your family especially around children. Flues and chimneys should be cleaned reguargly to prevent a build up of flammable material to ensure that the fireplace or wood heater is functioning properly. Make sure that the wood heater is not easily accessible by children when it is in use. Using a screen or guard will help protect them. This creates a safety barrier for them so that they cannot get too close to the hot surfaces or end up accidently burning themselves from the heat.
Guards should be placed at least 1 metre clear of hot surfaces to prevent children from placing their hands or objects towards the hot surface. Make sure that the guard is secured to the walls or floors to prevent children from pushing it onto the fire.
Educating children on the importance of fire safety will prevent children from seriously injuring themselves such as keeping matches and lighters out of reach of children. It is also important to supervise at all times when children are around.
Buying the right wood is important to ensure that you’ll achieve efficient burning from your wood heater if quality dry firewood is used at all times. What firewood you use will determine the performance and longevity. You should always choose small logs. The best wood for burning is dry, seasoned, untreated hardwood. Wood that has been newly cut still contains a higher amount of water. This sort of wood is deemed unseasoned and burning it can be difficult since there is still moisture left. As a result, wet wood doesn’t burn well and creates more smoke during the burn as the evaporating water cools the fire.
Whereas, seasoned wood that has been stacked, split and stored in a dry area produces efficient, long-lasting and safe heat. It also doesn’t end up clogging your wood heater’s flue, which is the pipe that releases smoke from your wood heater into the air. Wood with a moisture content of 20% or less and has been seasoned for at least a year will ensure long- lasting optimal burns for those warm nights in.
In Australia wood heaters are designed to use Hardwood only. Firewood should be sourced from a reputable supplier who can split the wood for you. The wood should be split to size and stored undercover in a dry and ventilated area. Firewood should also be seasoned. This means leaving it is a dry place for up to 12 months. This will ensure the moisture content of the firewood is optimal for use. The moisture content should be between 15%-20% to ensure long-lasting optimal burns.
It’s important to light a fire in your wood heater correctly. This way you’ll make the most of your firewood. Just follow these simple steps on how to light a wood heater in the below:
If you plan to use your wood heater frequently and you have pets of your own, it can be quite dangerous to have them around if you haven’t created a pet safe environment. In this case, make sure that it is safely gated at all times even when it is not in use. This will provide cautionary measures to ensure the safety of your pets from getting too close to the flames.
It is important to never leave your pets alone around your wood heater and to always supervise your pets when they’re around the wood heater or fireplace. This is the most effective way to protect your pet with consistent supervision anytime your wood heater is on. If you have to leave the room for a few minutes, make sure you take them with you as leaving them unattended can be risky. Pets can still get burns from coming into contact with the hot surfaces. In order to create a safe pet environment, you should keep bedding, treats and any toys a safe distance away from the fireplace. This can also be a great way to train your pet to not get too close to the wood heater.
Kent and Maxiheat wood heaters are both designed and tested in Australia for the harshest of Australian winters.
Kent wood heaters offer a wide range of rreestanding and Insert wood heaters. All Kent wood heaters come with a 10-year firebox structural warranty and include a 3-speed fan. The firebox is lined with either firebricks or SKAMOLEX and the large glass doors are self- cleaning. The range of heaters burn up to 2 times cleaner than the national standards of emissions plus the increased efficiency means your heater will burn less fuel to heat your home.
Our Maxiheat range of wood heaters are supported with 5–10-year firebox structural warranties. Maxiheat wood heaters are an affordable range, offering options in Radiant Wood Heaters and Convection Wood Heaters with both freestanding and inbuilt options.