ᐅ New Construction, Wood-Burning Stove, Nominal Heat Output—What Now?
Created on: 8 Nov 2017 10:08
O
onyx.dop
Hello everyone,
We are currently planning a new build and would like to include a wood-burning stove (a heating insert built with firebrick) in the open living/dining/kitchen area. The goal is to slightly reduce the load on the air-to-water heat pump and create a cozy atmosphere.
My heat load calculation based on the U-value shows that for 64m² (living/dining/kitchen + hallway connected by two doors) we need a maximum heating capacity of about 2.3 kW. This includes all external walls (approximately U-value 0.19) and floor construction (0.16).
If I install a stove with a nominal heat output of 9 kW and an output range of 3.2 to 10.9 kW, won’t I overheat the space even at the minimum wood feed rate (3.2 kW)? According to the stove fitter, this is not a problem because the heat output can be controlled by adjusting the amount of wood.
The 2.3 kW figure also refers to the worst-case scenario of -16°C (3°F) outside and +23°C (73°F) inside, without any other heat sources. So, in reality, the required heating capacity will likely be much lower than 2.3 kW.
What is the best approach? Should I choose a stove insert with the lowest possible heat output range?
Best regards.
We are currently planning a new build and would like to include a wood-burning stove (a heating insert built with firebrick) in the open living/dining/kitchen area. The goal is to slightly reduce the load on the air-to-water heat pump and create a cozy atmosphere.
My heat load calculation based on the U-value shows that for 64m² (living/dining/kitchen + hallway connected by two doors) we need a maximum heating capacity of about 2.3 kW. This includes all external walls (approximately U-value 0.19) and floor construction (0.16).
If I install a stove with a nominal heat output of 9 kW and an output range of 3.2 to 10.9 kW, won’t I overheat the space even at the minimum wood feed rate (3.2 kW)? According to the stove fitter, this is not a problem because the heat output can be controlled by adjusting the amount of wood.
The 2.3 kW figure also refers to the worst-case scenario of -16°C (3°F) outside and +23°C (73°F) inside, without any other heat sources. So, in reality, the required heating capacity will likely be much lower than 2.3 kW.
What is the best approach? Should I choose a stove insert with the lowest possible heat output range?
Best regards.
H
HilfeHilfe9 Nov 2017 14:29We had a plastered stove (I think with fireclay) installed by this insolvent builder from Billigheim. I believe it cost over 4,000 Euros plus the exterior flue.
Honestly: Nobody, absolutely nobody installs a fireplace just to save money! Including the chimney, such a unit (not a wood stove) easily costs 20,000 or more. With that amount, you could heat your home for a very long time using gas, oil, or electricity. You don’t need it, you want it. Or you don’t. Like a Porsche driver, you want it—because of the smile on your face after every drive and the thrill in your stomach while accelerating, braking, cornering fast, and the goosebumps from the engine sound; not to save time. On the contrary… you want to spend as much time as possible sitting inside and driving it. It’s similar to a pool owner; they don’t want to save entrance fees to the public pool, they want their own pool at home. And they know just like a fireplace owner, that monetarily it will never pay off. It doesn’t have to, and it shouldn’t! It’s about the “nice to have” factor. The fact that a fireplace heated more than four times a year also adds some warmth to the house—usually it burns exactly when the main heating system has to work hardest, in winter—is just a pleasant side effect. How much warmth it adds depends on the construction of the house and the (fireplace) heating habits. In our previous rental apartment, we had one too, and from November to February it felt like it burned every Saturday and Sunday evening (no formal records kept). My partner and I only enjoyed the beautiful flicker and crackle of the fire and didn’t think for a second about “heating cost savings.” That’s just how it is, and there’s no need to turn it into a cost debate. Whoever wants one, takes one; with or without the “saving effect.” By the way, some people never even light theirs; it just stands there looking good. Like a beautiful picture on the wall…
K
Knallkörper9 Nov 2017 19:56My argument for the stove was: If the combined heat and power unit (district heating) ever has a motor failure or the supply line is excavated, we won’t be left in the cold.
Knallkörper schrieb:
My argument for the stove was: If the combined heat and power plant (district heating) ever has an engine failure or the pipeline gets excavated, then we won’t be left in the coldThat’s exactly how I sold ours as well [emoji16] Besides, underfloor heating is a bit slow to respond, so I can compensate for sudden drops in temperature.
berny schrieb:
Honestly: Nobody, absolutely nobody installs a fireplace just to save money! ... If someone wants one, they get it; with or without the "saving effect"....Couldn't agree more! But you’ve really summed it up well in a statement worth reading [emoji2]
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