Fireplaces and stoves at a glance – types, functions and technology

The burning fire in the fireplace at home has a relaxing and romantic effect. But you don't just have to judge fireplaces and stoves based on their appearance, you also have to take some basic technical requirements into account. Depending on the different types of fireplaces, a fireplace can only serve as an eye-catcher in the living room or it can heat the entire house and also provide hot water. In the article we will give an overview of the different types of fireplaces - the classic open fireplace, storage stove, electric fireplaces, gas fireplaces, warm air fireplaces and water-bearing fireplaces as central heating for the entire house.

It is desirable to place the stove on an internal orNorth wall in the houseto be built up. This will create a thermal curtain and the house would be well insulated in winter. Modern fireplaces are usually open from all sides, so that they serve as a highlight in the room. For those withBio-EthanolThe location doesn't matter because they are smoke-free and provide heat without heating metal parts or fireproof bricks. They are often even built into furniture ormounted on the wall.They are very light, flexible and do not take up much space.

Fireplaces and stoves with three visible sides

Ideally, the fireplace is located equidistant from all the rooms you want to heat. The size of the stove must be coordinated with the room and the condition of the building and chimney. Solids provide the optimal heatFuels with high calorific valueHowcoal, wood and pellets,but this produces smoke and ash. Atliquid fuels such as oilThe only downside is the smoke, but the heating performance is very good.Biofuelsare an optimal variant because they do not produce smoke or soot.

The open fireplaces are not so popular because the falling ashes can be unpleasant to clean. The latest trend in interior design is theGlass fireplaces with multiple viewing sides and closed gas fire pit.You can view the fire from different areas in the room. The risks are minimized, but you must stay at least one meter away from flammable objects.

Pay special attention to the chimney

Contrary to what many people think, the most important component of the fireplace system is not the fireplace itself, but the chimney. The trigger should be considered from all sides - in terms of safety and comfort. Here you definitely need a specialist for the proper planning, construction and maintenance of the fireplace. It is expensive to buy fireplaces and stoves with poor flue systems. This is not just about costs, but also about serious fire risks.

TheChimney has two functions.The first is to direct the combustion gases away from the living area. The second role is to serve as a catalyst for combustion. Often the combustion chambers are equipped with mechanisms that increase or decrease the supply of oxygen to slow down or speed up combustion. The height of the chimney should also be taken into account - the higher, the more powerful the thrust and the combustion - stronger.

This is not always desirable. In recent years, fireplaces have been developed in Finland in which the combustion process is deliberately slowed down with several chambers. In these devices, the smoke is not released into the atmosphere as quickly and the heat is provided for a longer period of time. If smoke pushes back, you should check that the chimney is not blocked.

Finally, forget toothe maintenancenot. Everything depends on the type of fireplace and the fuel. The bio-ethanol fireplaces do not require any maintenance as the bio-ethanol burns completely and without any smoke. For other fireplaces and stoves, you should clean the ashes before each fire and the chimney - at least once a year.

The water-bearing fireplaces can heat the entire house


In addition to coziness and romance, fireplaces and stoves have a number of other advantages. For example, you can choose the fireplace as a heating system for the whole house. For this you need a warm air oven system or a water-conducting fireplace. This fireplace insert must be connected to the central heating through a buffer storage. By connecting to the heating circuit, the water-bearing fireplace also heats the other rooms in the house and could also provide hot water. The fireplaces with a warm pocket are a good solution because they give off heat even after the fire has gone out.

The different types of fireplaces:

The classic open fireplace– With this fireplace you have direct contact with the fire. The biggest disadvantage of this type of fireplace is that they have very low efficiency - from 10 to 20 percent, which means that they will waste a lot of wood without heating the room well. There is also no barrier between the fire and the room, creating a high fire hazard. The classic fireplace with an open fire is not something you buy in stores. It will be built on site using fireproof bricks.

storage oven– These fireplaces have a closed hearth, which guarantees better efficiency. They have a glass door which improves security. If the door is open, efficiency could drop by more than 70 percent. Most models are designed to burn wood, coal and briquettes.

Gas fireplaces– They are very cost-effective and environmentally friendly thanks to the low-pollutant combustion. Depending on the size and model, they offer a heating output between 3 and 8 kW. Gas fireplaces require a natural gas connection or liquid gas (propane) from gas bottles. They are not particularly decorative, but have good efficiency.

Electric fireplace– They are becoming more and more popular because they do not have the disadvantages of wood-burning fireplaces. The electric fireplaces impress users with their cleanliness and easy assembly. Just plug it into the socket and the oven is ready for use! Most electric fireplaces also come with a remote control that allows you to control the heating output. They can be easily integrated into furniture and on the wall.

• Bioethanol-Kamine –They create a cozy atmosphere and can be real gems in your home. When the bioethanol is burned, no smoke, soot, poisons or pollutants are produced. These open flame fireplaces heat the room very quickly, but the effect is short-term. Since no connections are necessary, designers are becoming more and more innovative with their new designs. You would find different shapes and sizes in the market.

Laying underfloor heating – types, costs, advantages and disadvantages