Safety, Installation & Upkeep of Woodburning Stoves

Wood smoke is simply waste. Any smoke that manages to escape from a woodburning stove unburned, is wasted fuel that will either stick in your chimney as creosote or pollute the air upon release. A poorly installed wood burning stove can mean higher maintenance costs, a higher risk of smoke in your home and unnecessary environmental pollution. A correctly installed woodburning stove means wood is burnt efficiently, more safely and your home is heated with less smoke. A good sign of a properly installed wood burning stove in just a thin wisp of smoke coming from your chimney when in operation.

There are several, simple steps you should always follow to ensure you never have unnecessary problems with your woodburning stove:
- ensure flammable household items such as drapes, furniture and books are kept well away from your wood burning stove
- start fires with clean paper and dry kindling
- do not burn wet or green logs
- build small, hot fires
- keep the doors of your wood burning stove closed at all times unless loading or stoking the fire
- regularly remove ashes from your stove
- keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- Install and maintain a smoke alarm

When approaching the issue of the installation of a woodburning stove it is highly recommended you enlist the services of a professional. The safety of your home and family relies on fully understanding and carrying out the critical manufacturer and building code requirements, errors often made by non-professionals often go unnoticed and only come in fruition years down the line. It is also worth noting, experienced professionals can properly size and place equipment for best heat distribution. The chimney – in particular – is an extremely important feature that requires professional involvement. The chimney affects the whole performance of a woodburning stove.

When you’re woodburning stove is all set up and burning away nicely producing a beautiful image in your living room, it is important that you remember to having your stove, chimney, and vents professionally inspected and cleaned each year to keep them in safe working order, giving peace of mind and meaning the woodburning stove can be enjoyed for years to come.