A significant portion of the charm of a house, in the days of yore, was a fireplace – a small fireplace surrounded by a mantel, which held the precious memories of the residents and an armchair. These characteristics were the usual attribute of luxury and class. But fireplaces were not only for the affluent. People of all socioeconomic backgrounds had a fireplace in their house.
Fireplaces are aesthetic; they effortlessly elevate the cosy vibe of a home. It was usually the place where families gathered, or guests were entertained. Several traditions began springing around the fireplace, the most popular being Christmas. A famous and worldwide tradition still followed today is decorating the mantel during Christmas. Children worldwide are told of Santa Claus, who would shimmy down the chimney and bring them presents. People put stockings on the mantel filled with cookies as a way of welcoming Santa Claus.
Today, with housing spaces decreasing and pollution increasing, the fireplace is no longer a staple part of building plans. While the fireplace still evokes nostalgia in many, technology has brought the past to the present. Wood heaters are an improvement on the fireplace. They are available in a range of options like the freestanding wood heater, insert wood heater, etc. These are small, taking up less space, and can effortlessly be included in a small apartment. While they perform the conventional purposes of a fireplace (spreading warmth), they also come in various styles to suit all interior styles.
MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION: WHICH WOOD HEATER?
Wood heaters are a classy addition to a home. They take up less space, though larger sizes are also available. A very crucial deciding factor of buying a wood heater is the dimensions of the house. It is essential for those considering this purchase to find out their interiors’ exact dimensions. The dimensions of their house are central in deciding the size of the wood heater to buy. They will also require their floor plan to determine the placement of the wood heater. For example, some wood heaters require structural changes, and the floor plan ensures that there are no compromises to the load-bearing wall during these changes.
An Optional Component: The Fan
A fan is an optional feature for wood heaters. A fan pushes out hot air, which usually collects at the top of the firebox. This hot air travels upwards, but if the heater has a fan, it pushes the hot air outwards. A fan is necessary only if the space is large. Installing a fan in a wood heater dissipates the heat around quickly and can produce boiling temperatures in enclosed spaces.
WOOD HEATER TYPES
Zero Clearance Wood Heater
A zero clearance wood heater looks much like a real fireplace. They are versatile, and their installation requires minimal to no structural changes.
Insert Wood Heater
People with a defunct fireplace in their building can opt for an insert wood heater. They are more straightforward to use than euro fireplace and provide maximum safety from crackles and burns. Their fans ensure uniform distribution of heat inside instead of the heat moving up the chimney.
Convection Wood Heater
A convection wood heater works similarly to the barbeque grill. The firebox (where the wood burns) is in the front of a cavity. This cavity stores the hot air, letting it build-up. The cavity keeps expanding as it takes more heat from the firebox. This heat dissipates above the firebox and is let out. These wood heaters heat a room quickly and are an excellent option for larger homes.