Fire and flame – everything you need to know about fireplaces
Those who decided years ago to install a heating fireplace or storage stove have definitely acted with foresight. Because today, fireplaces and everything that goes with them, so to speak, are a luxury item that can take far longer to get than expected. “The desire for independence is growing,” explain the two stove fitters Gregor Gschlenk (Vienna, gschlenk.at) and Franz Kletzenbauer (St. Ruprecht, waerme-design.at) in unison. “What started with the fear of a blackout is now reaching the top with the Ukraine crisis.” And long ago, not only the feel-good effect of sitting in front of a crackling fire in the evening is crucial, today the fireplace should also be able to heat entire houses and apartments. The two experts explain here what needs to be taken into account.
When can I have a fireplace installed?
Especially in apartments, the number of freely available smoke traps is scarce. Check with your chimney sweep to see if one is available in your home and if so, where it is located. However, if you are lucky, it does not automatically mean that you will get your “dream fireplace” – the cross-section of the flue determines which fireplace you can have set.
Storage stove or heating fireplace
Unlike a classic heating fireplace, which gives off heat quickly, but also only temporarily, the trend of storage heaters is growing enormously, as they are suitable for continuous operation. Disadvantages: storage heaters give off heat only after 2-3 hours, and also need a good base due to the weight of about 1.5 tons, which is absolutely necessary to clarify in advance with a structural engineer.
Tiled stove with heat-carrying water tank
All well and good, but not independent. As soon as you treat water, electricity is required again.
Swedish stoves and table stoves
Good fireplaces have their price – a Swedish stove is by far the cheaper option. But here it is important to check carefully what I put in my house/apartment. The important thing here is to look at the quality (which usually goes hand in hand with the price) and to avoid models that are too cheap. Because there is a great risk that individual parts (e.g. door) will no longer function optimally after a short time. For table stoves, please be equally careful to bring good quality into the home. Old models that can currently be purchased on the Internet often have very poor exhaust emission values.
The right wood
As a general rule, only use hard and dry woods; in principle, storage for two years or more is considered ideal. Since this is difficult to verify, you should only buy from the dealer you trust. Unlike air-dried wood, kiln-dried wood has little to no vermin, and can be stored anywhere – in the house/apartment, on open spaces such as the patio, balcony or garden, and even in the basement.
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