The market offers many natural gas appliances for home heating. However, in many regions, coal or firewood is more readily available. In this case, the heating system is connected to another device. Water heating in a private house from a wood-burning stove can be used if the building area is large, and the operation of other structures is expensive.
The principle of operation of the stove with water circuits
The principle of operation of a stove for a house with water heating is to heat the coolant during the combustion of fuel. After that, it spreads through the pipeline, from which heat is transferred to the surrounding space.
The heat exchanger is located inside the stove. The device can be used as a main source of heat or an additional one. Moreover, the device provides not only heating, but also hot water supply. Such an oven uses and distributes heat more efficiently.
Advantages and disadvantages
Heating furnaces are highly efficient. For 1 hour, the device can sufficiently warm up a house with an area of up to 300 square meters. Also, the device has the following advantages:
- affordable cost of equipment that you can design yourself;
- lack of dependence on the electrical network - the system operates according to the principle of natural circulation, pumping equipment is not used;
- availability and relatively low cost of fuel;
- beautiful appearance;
- with proper installation and operation, the device is able to heat the house;
- no need to constantly add fuel - it is enough to load the furnace 2-3 times a day;
- the device can be made from available materials with your own hands.
However, the stove has a low efficiency. Gas or diesel boilers provide a higher ratio. The device cannot be equipped with an automatic fuel supply. Only manual control is allowed.
The main properties of the furnaces
The stove with a water circuit is used in country houses, in summer cottages. A device in the form of a fireplace is often installed in elite interiors, performing 2 functions: decorative and heating the room. The design has the following properties:
- installed in a room in which there are minimum fire safety conditions;
- products come with prismatic, panoramic and straight doors (the first option is the most expensive);
- furnace productivity ranges from 12-24 kW;
- by the type of connection, the structure can be open or closed (for the manufacture of the first type, a material with a thickness of 4 mm is used at a pressure of 1.5 atm, and the second is a metal with a thickness of 6 mm at a pressure of 2.5 atm);
- not only firewood is used as fuel, but also pellets, coal;
- a non-combustible base is installed under the fireplace: a metal, ceramic or asbestos sheet.
Furnaces of this type are available with a damper or a heat generator. The second option is more efficient, since it is an additional source of heat. These designs are designed for long burning. The product must be equipped with a 4-8 m high chimney. The system can be easily combined with underfloor heating.
Water heating device
The choice of the furnace and the construction of the entire system is carried out at the stage of planning and construction of the house itself. Most models require additional foundation construction. Heating based on a stove with a water circuit consists of the following components:
- furnace structure;
- a heat exchanger (it is located inside the firebox or around it, as well as in the form of a coil around the chimney);
- coolant circuit, radiators;
- expansion tank, which is best located in the attic.
In some cases, the heating circuit is equipped with a circulation pump. Installing a heat accumulator will increase the efficiency of the stove.
Water is used as a heat carrier. To prevent the liquid from freezing, you can add salt to it. It is allowed to use glycerine filler instead of water.
Choice of pipes
The use of a stove with a water circuit for heating a house involves the use of radiators and pipes. Not only cast iron or steel elements are suitable, but also metal-plastic, polypropylene. However, there are some peculiarities here. Since wood is used for heating and there is an open flame, the liquid in the coil can boil. In such conditions, reinforced-plastic pipes do not withstand for a long time. It is better to use stainless steel products.
Another reason for choosing metal pipes is that the pipes that come out of the oven get very hot. Under these conditions, plastic products melt. Pipes that are connected directly to the nozzles should have a diameter of 3 cm.For other elements, this figure is 2 cm.
Stove selection
You can choose a heater taking into account the technical parameters and the purpose of the device. On the second basis, devices are:
- For heating. The generated heat energy is used only for space heating. A heat exchanger tank is installed in this type of furnace.
- For cooking and heating housing. The design of the apparatus provides for an additional compartment. The oven is located above the combustion chamber. The heat exchanger can be located on the sides of the firebox. On small stoves, only a hotplate may be present.
From the technical characteristics, the area of the house, the fuel used and the material of manufacture are taken into account. The first parameter provides that for every 10 sq. M. construction area requires 1-1.2 kW of energy. At the same time, the ceiling height is 2.5-2.7 m.
Coal, peat, pellets, firewood are used as fuel. They all have different characteristics: when the same volume is burned, different amounts of heat are released. The cost of fuel and its availability are also taken into account.
The following materials are used for the manufacture of the furnace:
- Brick. This option has a lot of weight and dimensions, therefore, it requires an additional foundation for the arrangement. This design gives off heat evenly and for a long time. A specialist is needed for laying a fireplace stove. However, brickwork fits perfectly into any interior, creates a special atmosphere and comfort.
- Cast iron. This material is characterized by rapid heating, but it is heavy and more brittle than others. It does not require the construction of a separate foundation.
- Steel. The presented option is popular, as it is lightweight, durable. The coolant in it heats up faster.
A stove with a heat exchanger does not have the drawbacks of old structures, but it must be chosen and installed correctly. Factory models are often equipped with adjustable legs. This feature allows you to install the structure even on an uneven base.
Heat exchanger for the firebox
The heat exchanger is the main element of the furnace, so the choice must be approached responsibly. It can be installed in the firebox, but there is always a risk of coolant leakage.A safe option is to install the heat exchanger in the chimney hood. This element has a different shape and material of manufacture:
- Sheet steel. It can be installed directly into the firebox. Material thickness - 3-4 mm. 2 pipes are supplied to it. The top one should be connected at the highest point of the exchanger. The internal clearance of this element should not be less than 3 cm. In this case, boiling of the coolant can be avoided.
- From the pipes. Elements can be round or rectangular. The pipe is also allowed to be installed in the firebox. It all depends on the design of the oven. The main requirement is to install the heat exchanger so that it does not block the door, and the firewood is free.
- Flat register. This option is more often installed in the chimney. The heat exchanger can serve for a long time, since it is not used in aggressive conditions. It is large in size.
Choosing the right heat exchanger will ensure maximum stove performance.
How to do it yourself
To heat the house in winter cold, you can build a heating system yourself. To make a furnace with a heat exchanger for heating, the following order must be followed:
- Making a furnace from sheet material. The prepared elements are welded together at an angle of 90 degrees. An exception is the front wall. The bottom of the appliance must be at least 20 cm above the floor.
- The space between the firebox and the blower is separated by a grate.
- Preparing awnings and installing the door.
- Chimney installation. It is installed at the top of the structure.
- Preparing the liquid container and fixing it.
After connecting the device to the system, it should be checked for defects. It is necessary to design and operate the stove observing safety rules.
A stove with a water heat exchanger is the best option for small residential buildings. It saves money on space heating. The main advantage of the system is the possibility of its own production.
