Pros and cons of a fireplace as a source of heating in the house

Some owners of country houses, instead of a utilitarian and not very aesthetic boiler that heats up the coolant, prefer alternative heating methods. A fireplace for home heating is becoming more and more popular.

In addition to the coziness created by an open flame, these devices can quite effectively heat the air for the duct system or water for the radiators. Instructions for arranging such a climate network are given below.

Fireplace - not only beauty, but also warmth in the house

Mistakes when choosing an air-heated fireplace

The generally accepted scheme for choosing heating equipment in this case is unacceptable. Most believe that the power of the firebox is selected for the area of ​​the room at the rate of 1 kW per 10 m2. Time has shown that choosing a fireplace insert for a country house with air heating requires an integrated approach.
Too powerful gas stoves lead to overheating of the apartment. Residents have to open windows or reduce the amount of fuel used for heating. Frequent temperature fluctuations provoke colds and other unpleasant symptoms - weakness, dizziness and insomnia.

Fireplace area calculation table

How to calculate the required power of the fireplace insert with air heating? Experts advise contacting sales consultants with this question. It is necessary to contact a specialist correctly, that is, with the provision of information on the area of ​​the room, the type of ventilation and the number of rooms. Only in this case the seller will select the required equipment power.

Getting ready for work

Refractory brick
This stage is no less important than the construction itself. The preparation of tools, materials and assistants is the key to success. And if the issue can be resolved amicably with assistants, then you will have to go to the store to get tools and materials, and most likely more than once, because the list of both is quite large. So the materials:

• Refractory bricks.
• Red ceramic brick.
• Masonry mortar or its components (sand, clay, cement).
• Foundation components (gravel, cement, sand).
• Formwork boards.
• Ceramic decorative tiles.
• Roofing material.
• Reinforced mesh.
• Foil.
• Cast iron closed firebox.
• Metal corner.
• Ventilation pipes.
• Thick-walled pipes.
• Flexible pipes.
• Sandwich pipes.
• Fans.
• Depending on artistic preferences, tiles for the facing of the portal and the casing.

All this will have to be bought in hardware stores, or obtained in other ways that do not violate the law. And now the tools and fixtures:

• Scoop shovel.
• Level.
• Plumb line.
• Protractor.
• Roulette.
• A hammer.
• Chisel.
• Master OK.
• Drill.
• "Bulgarian".

You can buy and get it all in advance, but you can start working directly only after you have precisely chosen the place for installing the fireplace and having in your hands a detailed plan for the heating circuit.

Foundation pouring rules

It is highly recommended to carry out this simple, but important operation at the same time as pouring the common foundation under the house. Or at an early stage in the construction of the walls.

The place for the fireplace should already be determined during the design.

The main and indestructible condition is that the foundation for the fireplace or stove should in no case be combined with the foundation of the house. Any structure will eventually settle, which will lead, if not to the complete destruction of the fireplace, then to its deformation, incompatible with the functioning.Otherwise, there are no big differences between the foundations, except for the size, of course.

Base masonry

Having checked the evenness of the floor with the building level, and making sure that it is perfect, you can start laying the tiles. The tile is laid on a special soil in such a way that the resulting area is 15-20 cm wider than the base of the fireplace.

Thermal wall protection

If you have designed a wall or corner fireplace, you need to protect the walls from overheating. For this, the same tile that was used for the base of the fireplace or any other thermal insulation material is perfect.

Base for the firebox

The laying of stoves and fireplaces is an art that requires training and many years of practice. In order to carry out the installation of a fireplace with air heating with your own hands, it is better to choose a ready-made cast-iron firebox, the installation of which is carried out on a specially prepared base made of brick or aerated concrete blocks.

Installing the firebox

Due to its considerable weight, it is better to install a cast iron firebox with an assistant, carefully checking the horizontalness with a building level. It should also be borne in mind that there should be a small air space between the firebox and the base. In the case of a ready-made purchased firebox, it is achieved by means of the legs. If the firebox is done independently, this moment must be taken into account when laying the base.

Brick apron

The apron is made of red bricks dipped in water. Depending on the location of the fireplace, it is done either along the perimeter or on those sides that do not adjoin the wall.

Chimney installation

Depending on the location of the fireplace and the structure of the entire house, the chimney, assembled from double sandwich pipes, can be led out either through the roof or through the wall. In any case, care must be taken that the chimney does not narrow, there are as few branches and bends as possible, all joints are well sealed, and the passage through the roof or wall was made through a mineral insulated pipe.

Air casing

The casing is a frame made of corners, sheathed with plasterboard, located above the firebox around the chimney. It is here that the air will be heated, which then, with the help of built-in pipes connected to a heating circuit made of flexible metal pipes, will provide heat throughout the house. From the inside, the casing must be glued with mineral wool, and the chimney must be wrapped with a radiator for greater heat transfer.

Grace and style

And now the fireplace is ready to heat your home. But his appearance is not very presentable. It's time to think about how to decorate it so that it matches the overall style, and at the same time use materials that will not only decorate the fireplace, but also strengthen it. Ceramic tiles, decorative stone, or all the same red brick are very suitable for this purpose. The choice depends only on the imagination and artistic preferences of the owners of the house.

Having completed these works, you should not immediately load the firebox with wood, or special briquettes, if you have chosen a pillet air fireplace. After waiting a few days, you will allow all mixtures and solutions that have been used to harden. And after this period, you can light the fireplace for the first time and check what you have done. If everything was done correctly and with high quality, living warmth will very quickly spread throughout all rooms, making your home cozy.

Some features of self-designing a fireplace

The project of the house must necessarily include sections on the construction of the fireplace and its individual elements.

Above the firebox of each fireplace there is its own chimney, the cross-sectional area of ​​the chimney duct of which should be 1/10 of the firebox area. The distance from the junction of the chimney with the combustion channel must be at least 5 meters.

The chimney duct should be equipped with a special damper that will separate the firebox from the chimney, and a hole designed to remove soot that accumulates during operation. The design of the slide damper can be retractable or fixing (using piano hinges).

Average fireplaces can weigh about 500 kilograms or more. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently strong and reliable base under the fireplace.

If you have to install a fireplace in an already built house, then you may need to carry out additional work to strengthen the supporting structures.

Air-heated fireplaces

Air heating of rooms and premises with a fireplace provides for heating the air passing between the body of the firebox and its outer surface.

Diagram of a fireplace with air heating. Click to enlarge.

Distribution of heated air in the rooms of the house is carried out using pipeline channels installed in the walls or in the ceilings.

For the installation of air channels, aluminum or steel pipes are perfect.

In simpler schemes, the gravity method is used for air supply, based on different values ​​of the density of cold and warm air.

Fireplace air heating of this type does not depend on electrical energy, but it can be used to heat only a few rooms.

Fireplace air heating of a house with a large number of rooms and a pipe length of more than 3 meters should be carried out according to a scheme with forced circulation.

The structure of such a scheme should include a pump that supplies air under the furnace body or above itself.

Forced air circulation can provide high-quality heating of a sufficiently large country house.

When choosing and installing such a scheme, it should be remembered that the air exchange proceeds in a closed cycle.

It is more rational to build a fireplace with air heating in the process of building a house, since otherwise you will have to face tedious and very costly work - punching holes intended for laying air ducts.

Fireplaces with water cloak

The firebox of fireplaces with a water cloak has one significant structural difference - the body of the firebox consists of two layers, between which the heated water is circulated.

A fireplace in your room is not only an interior element, but also a source of heat.

The heated water is supplied to the radiators of the heating system through special pipelines.

The device of a special heat exchanger (coil) in the upper part of the fireplace will provide an opportunity not only to heat the premises, but also to heat water for domestic purposes, the circulation of which will be carried out by means of special pumps.

Fireplace frame with water cloak. Click to enlarge.

Manual regulation of fireplaces is possible by increasing or decreasing the air flow into the fireplace insert. Automatic regulation is carried out due to the operation of thermostats with which the pumps are equipped.

7196f3e665317c6c8bc3485445b7def9.jpe ad128a56e9475981dd8e2bebc4210d60.jpe

Thermostats provide automatic activation of the pumps after heating the water to the required temperature.

Types of fireplaces for home heating

First of all, fireplaces are distinguished by the type of combustion chamber device:

• Open fireplace. This is a decorative version of a heating structure - a fireplace without walls looks beautiful, but its efficiency is low, it heats only the room in which it is located, and then only partially, if the area of ​​the room is large.
• Semi-open fireplace. It is attached to the wall or deepens into it, one of the walls is missing, which allows observing the combustion process.The heat transfer potential of such a design is already higher, it can be used as a full-fledged additional source of heating at home.
• Closed fireplace. In the overwhelming majority of cases, it is a fireplace built into the wall, separated from the room by a metal shutter or heat-resistant glass. This is the safest from the point of view of fire hazard and the most efficient in terms of thermal potential version of the fireplace. Such a stove, a fireplace for heating a house, is quite suitable even as the main source.

In order to use a fireplace as a source of heating for a home, it will need a distribution system that will distribute heat to all rooms. On this basis, fireplaces are divided into two groups: with water heating and with air.

Fireplace with air heating

These are closed-type fireplaces, in which there is no direct contact with the room air. The design of the fireplace includes air ducts that distribute the heated air throughout the house. Both natural and forced distribution of hot air in rooms can be used to increase efficiency. Such fireplaces can be both floor-standing and built-in ones.

Natural convection circulation of currents is effective for heating only one room. For heating several rooms, forced hot air is required. It is carried out using built-in fans powered by electricity. Air ducts lead to each room, which is supposed to be heated using a fireplace.

Fireplace with water heating

Fireplace heating of a private house can be organized using a fireplace with a water circuit.

Such a fireplace is connected to the radiator water heating system of the house. As an additional functionality, it has a hob. There are such varieties as fireplace stoves with a water circuit made of cast iron and other metals.

A fireplace with a heat exchanger can be used as a backup, backup method of heating a country house, for example, when using a gas boiler as the main source. Such a fireplace can be used without heating water for heating, which can be useful in the summer.

Heating circuit

House heating can be carried out using units of different categories. Intermittent combustion fireplaces with a single laying of firewood provide a room with heat for up to a quarter of a day.

Continuous burning devices with an equal amount of fuel increase this period to 8 hours. Even at the minimum power, the amount of heat produced will fluctuate from 3 to 6 kW. High heating levels are achieved with wide open air blowing. At the same time, depending on the design, from 2 to 4 kilograms of firewood will be burned per hour.

The power with which heating fireplaces will work can be calculated based on the size of the heated room. In a room with a ceiling height of 2.8 meters, 1 kW of heat is enough for heating 10 m2 of area. Accordingly, with a power of 10 kW, such an oven will be able to serve 100 m2 of area.

Air

When energy is transferred from one medium to another, the amount of transferred heat is significantly reduced. A properly designed air-heated fireplace can solve this problem due to the small number of thermal transitions. Its device involves burning fuel in a separate chamber, heating the metal part of the furnace and the air inside the room. In this case, the transfer of energy is carried out using flexible heat-insulated channels connected to other parts of the residential building.

Air flows can move naturally or be driven in the desired direction by a forced injection system. With a vertical orientation, a normal air flow is sufficient for high-quality heating.If the location of fireplaces with air heating is far from the premises to which heat must be delivered, it is recommended to install special fans.

Water

If there is an ordinary wood-burning unit in the house, you can connect a heating system to it and achieve a good result in terms of thermal efficiency. Inside a fireplace of this design, a water circuit is installed, connected to the general heating communications of the dwelling. Burning firewood in its firebox increases the temperature of the coolant in the pipes and, due to this, provides high-quality heating of the entire building. The two main connection schemes imply the operation of open and closed systems, respectively.

To install a fireplace in the house and connect an open heating to it, you will need to hang an expansion tank above it, which works on the principle of communicating vessels. With the closed method of connecting the furnace, a common tank is used in the structure, and a separate expansion tank is not built in.

Features of fireplaces and stoves for country houses

The main purpose of the fireplace is to heat the house. You cannot argue with this, but if its appearance does not fit into the general interior of the room and the type is not chosen well, then it is unlikely that a room with a fireplace will be cozy and beloved for everyone. It will look more like a pantry with a stove.

Therefore, before installing a fireplace in a room, you need to think about which type will be more successful. Fireplaces stoves for a country house are installed in various types. Each owner chooses to his taste

Depending on the location, they can be:

• angular;
• island;
• wall-mounted;
• built-in.

Depending on the heating method:

• gas;
• wood-burning;
• electrical;
• bio fireplaces.

Chimney arrangement

After the "body" of the fireplace is ready, you can start creating the chimney. Its passage must correspond to the calculated value. From above, the chimney should be reliably protected from precipitation. For these purposes, you should use a wide smoke hood made of galvanized sheet metal.

There is no better material for a chimney than red ceramic brick. Here is what one of the participants of our forum thinks about it.

The advantages of a brick chimney are considerable. It is much more difficult to achieve the formation of condensation in a brick pipe than in a sandwich - you have to try. The combustion of soot is not scary, the heating of the outer surface of the pipe in the attic is minimal or even completely invisible. The durability of a properly folded brick pipe is many decades.

A galvanized pipe made of heat-resistant steel can be used as a chimney. Such a chimney is made multi-layered (as a result, a kind of "sandwich" is obtained), on three sides it is closed with plasterboard.

During those periods when the fireplace is inactive, any chimney becomes the cause of drafts. In order to avoid such a harmful phenomenon, special valves (gates) are mounted in the chimney shaft. They open only when the firebox "comes to life", filling the room with pleasant warmth.

The cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical chimney with the area of ​​the fuel portal must have a ratio of 1:10.

Particular attention should be paid to the height of the outer part of the chimney:

• if the gap from the ridge to the chimney is less than 1.5 m, then the chimney must be at least half a meter higher than the ridge;
• if the distance from the chimney to the ridge is more than 1.5 m, then the upper cut of the chimney should not be lower than the level of the ridge.

Advantages, disadvantages

The positive qualities of the units include:

• the principle of operation of a simple fireplace model: the release of heat energy from the stove occurs during the combustion process;
• chimney ducts are designed to remove carbon monoxide. If you additionally provide for channels through which air will move convectionally, the temperature marks will become higher;
• there is no localization of heating zones near the fireplace;
• simplicity, ease of the heat carrier air circulation system;
• high level of security. Compared to a water circuit, even the smallest hole in the piping can cause a rupture. Hot water can cause burns, greatly harm a person;
• lack of heat carrier;
• lightness, simplicity of turning on, turning off the heating;
• in comparison with the water circuit, it is significantly cheaper;
• no temperature drops across localization zones.

Negative sides:

• the cost of organizing the system. Constant fuel filling;
• fuel cost.

Country house heating options

So, for a comfortable stay outside the city, you must make high-quality heating. Some owners start by insulating the building itself, while others install a variety of appliances and systems, some of which are alternatives to traditional steam heating.
Currently, the following types of heating of a country house are noted:

- gas, - electric, - coal.

All these heating systems will perfectly fit into the interior of your home, as they are decorated at the highest level.

Unconventional heating systems are considered interesting, for example, a solar water heater will help get hot water without large cash costs.

But familiar devices, such as gas systems or gas boilers, are responsible for heating the coolant and its uniform circulation in the house. Note that both liquefied and simple gas are used for this.

Heating from the electric network is considered the most suitable option used to increase the temperature in the house, but often this requires large amounts of money to be spent, so not everyone decides to give preference to electric heating.

Heating control today can be carried out not only manually and automatically, but also through mobile devices, this is how progress has stepped so far. Coal heating systems are used in areas where gas lines have not yet been extended, usually these are rural settlements and summer cottages. The coal system is made up of solid fuel boilers. Let's dwell in more detail on each listed heating system.

Dignity

Let's consider the main advantages of fireplaces with convection heating, and then move on to the device. Heating systems with air circulation have a whole list of advantages over a classic fireplace, we will highlight only the most significant of them.

Household heat distribution diagram

• Heat transfer by means of radiation is completely stopped when the fireplace is stopped. When a fireplace with a convection heating principle goes out, the air continues to circulate for a while, heating all rooms. This fact contributes to fuel economy and efficiency increase.
• Due to the fact that air is used to heat the house, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the fireplace due to additional heat exchange not only in the area of ​​the firebox, but also in the chimney.
• Air circulation implies the flow of new portions from the outside. This provides additional ventilation in the room.
• Compared to water heating, where the transfer of energy is carried out in two stages, the air heating circuit transports directly the heat carrier, which will fill the room.
• The presence of fans, which participate in the circulation of the coolant, increases the length of the ducts with air ducts up to 10 meters.

It is necessary to think about the possibility of installing a fireplace when erecting walls. Firstly, the construction of the foundation for the fireplace is easier to carry out when there is no floor covering yet, and secondly, the routing of the air ducts requires partial destruction of the walls. During their construction, you can immediately supply the rooms with channels.

How does it work

To fully appreciate the efficiency of an air-circuit fireplace, you will have to consider the principle of heat transfer in a classic fireplace.As you know, there are three ways to transfer thermal energy. The thermal conductivity of air is rather low, so this method has never been considered as dominant.

The advantages of convection have not previously been objectively assessed, so the key stake was placed on radiation. A classic fireplace with an open firebox did not even heat the air in the room, but the surrounding objects, and those, in turn, transferred heat to the air and the room warmed up. However, one could not even dream of transferring heat to other rooms.

Over time, the transfer of matter, as a way of transporting energy, became more and more of interest to furnace masters. Modern air heating from a fireplace is based on the fact that heated air is carried around the rooms. In the design of such a fireplace, two main tasks are implemented:

• efficient heating of air masses;
• their transmission over a distance.

Air heating system operation diagram

Hollow channels, which are arranged in the fireplace body between the firebox and the outer wall, help to cope with the first task. They can be made in the form of a labyrinth in order to increase the area of ​​contact of air with the heated walls of the furnace.

Good to know: How to install a fireplace insert, do it yourself

The Russian stove is arranged in a similar way in the chimney area. Only tap transfer of heat is carried out from the hot air to the walls. The air from below enters the channels through special openings and heats up. Convection currents move upwards and the air temperature rises even more during the movement. Natural convection alone is not enough to move air through winding channels. It is necessary to use fans that pump new portions of air and displace the heated masses, which provide heating of the room.

The second task is realized by distributing the air duct in the rooms. Warm air flows through the ducts to the neighboring rooms. If the length of the duct does not exceed 3 meters, then natural convection is used for transportation. Otherwise, forced circulation is ensured.

The device of a classic brick fireplace

Strictly speaking, open hearths are not very suitable for heating private cottages due to the low efficiency of burning firewood, the efficiency is only 20-30%. While a fire is burning in the firebox, heat is spread throughout the room by means of infrared radiation. After damping, the intensity of heating decreases and stops after 2-3 hours, when the brickwork has cooled down.

Despite the low heat dissipation rates, fireplaces remain attractive to homeowners as they create a unique home-like environment. The device of a classic English hearth is shown in the diagram and includes the following elements:

• underground part - foundation;
• base of 2-3 rows of bricks;
• bottom part with forward-protruding furnace platform;
• portal - brick framing of an open firebox;
• smoke collector - an upward-tapering channel in the form of an umbrella above the combustion chamber;
• the chimney tooth at the beginning of the smoke collector serves for better heat extraction from hot gases;
• chimney leading to the roof;
• traction force is regulated by a slide valve.

Diagram of the device of a classic open hearth

If the construction budget allows, then outside, the walls are tiled, as is done above in the photo. It is not necessary to decorate the walls of the structure - the correct brickwork looks quite neat.

a7ab4a51a9a07018fb67959eed591a6c.jpe

Interesting: Marble portals for fireplaces - learning from all sides

Principle of operation

Factory models of heating boilers for such fireplaces have a heat exchanger around the body in the form of a spiral or a radiator made of thin pipes through which water or air circulates.When heated, they flow through the heating pipes to the radiators in other rooms.

A wood-fired fireplace with a water circuit has a low efficiency, not exceeding 60%. In addition, simple models require a constant supply of firewood to efficiently supply the home with heat. Pellet fireplaces are relieved of these problems. They use pellets as fuel, which have a higher specific heat of combustion than wood. The pellet is automatically loaded from the back of the firebox. The intensity of the feed and, therefore, the power of the fireplace can be controlled using the electric control panel.

Fireplaces with an air duct can have an efficiency of up to 80%. Complex models can be designed with a heating function in the firebox and in the wall. This achieves maximum heating of the circulating air. Unlike water circuits, air systems require fans, which requires additional wiring and more energy consumption. But on the other hand, pipes for them are less demanding on strength, most often they are made of thin and cheap aluminum.

For safety, most fireplaces with air and water circuits are equipped with a fireproof glass protective door. Heat penetrates the room through this glass due to infrared radiation. This eliminates the possibility of sparks entering the room, and the owners can enjoy the sight of a bright flame. A soot protection is provided to keep the glass shutter clean.

Fireplace stoves

This is a special type for saunas and baths. Some owners install such models, but they are already using them not only as a heating or decorative device, but also for cooking. More detailed instructions are always included.

Both firewood and gas are good fuel.

Fireplace stoves can be:

• open;
• closed;
• half open.

Air ducts - device features

As well as for laying the firebox, brick or metal is used when arranging the ducts of the air duct system. You can also use special flexible pipes that can be bought here, but they are recommended only for short sections, as they interfere with the movement of air. Failure to comply with this condition will require the installation of more powerful fans, which will increase the cost of your fireplace.

Do not forget about the thermal insulation of the channels. This will not only reduce heat loss, but also increase the safety of the entire structure. For high-quality air movement (minimizing air resistance):

• provides the most even surface of the inner part of the channels;
• the number of bends in the system is reduced;
• large straight channels are laid;
• a fireplace with an air duct is connected by separate channels.

Thus, a fireplace with combined heating allows you to quickly heat the premises of the house, has a simple device, is safe and has a low price. However, you will have to work a little in the field of cleaning the chimney and firebox, to attend to the arrangement of the place for storing firewood.

Fireplace these days

In modern homes, people are in no hurry to part with this medieval piece of furniture, because it creates a special atmosphere and comfort. The development of technology makes it possible to use the fireplace not only as a decor, but also to use its direct functionality.

Modern fireplace heating systems are gaining more and more positive reviews, because fireplaces with a heating circuit allow you to effectively warm up the whole house, and not just the room where the firebox itself is located.

Features of the stove device

Refractory brick dimensions

It has been proven above that air circulation is much more efficient than traditional fireplace heating. High efficiency rates are maintained due to the special design of the stove. It is worth noting that gas fireplaces differ little in the design of stoves.

A cassette fireplace is the most demanding design for the correct arrangement of the stove. For its arrangement, builders use only refractory bricks or metal structures made of cast iron.

Cast iron stoves are considered the most heat-intensive and efficient heating devices.

Fans are located above the stove. Practice has shown that heating the house with a fireplace depends on their reliability. Therefore, experts recommend choosing only fire-resistant fans if you plan to install them yourself.

As for decorative elements, their presence is optional for a private house. Nevertheless, summer residents are actively buying fireboxes with decorative elements with glass doors, modern opening mechanisms, etc.

When choosing a stove for a fireplace in a country house, special attention should be paid to the power of the device, which can be determined in the technical passport. The power of the stove grows with its size

Experts came to the conclusion that it is better to buy stoves 10-15% more powerful than the equipment requires.

The scheme of heating the air in the fireplace

Separately, it is necessary to note the closed stove. The closable structure additionally increases the power of the entire structure due to smoldering, which is provided by a closed door. As a result, not only the power of the equipment increases, but also the economy of the consumed fuel increases by reducing the air supply. Thus, a closed firebox is an efficient and economical equipment for space heating.

Volkov's scheme

The main characteristics of the heater:

• dimensions - 1100x900x2440 mm;
• power - 3.6-4.2 kW;
• weight - 2.5 t;
• working material - fireclay and red bricks.

Volkov's stove is equipped with a cooking panel, a hot water box, an oven. Valves are available to regulate the flow of hot gases. The stove can be used to heat the house in winter or to cook food in summer.

The door and mesh of the cooking chamber of the Volkov oven. Dimensions in mm. a - the door of the cooking chamber; b - grid of the cooking chamber.

The installation of such a structure should be carried out on a solid foundation. Carry out the laying, taking into account the dressing of the horizontal and vertical seams.

Which is better: a fireplace with a water circuit or with air ducts?

This question cannot be answered unequivocally. The advantages and disadvantages of both systems come from the characteristics of the heated room, the desired temperature regime in the rooms.

Heating fireplaces with a water circuit have the following advantages:

• efficiency;
• low cost;
• the contour of the fireplace can be easily integrated into the existing heating system of the house;
• the possibility of preparing hot water;
• low cost of equipment;
• low price of energy carrier.

A heating fireplace with a water circuit has disadvantages:

• low efficiency;
• the need for constant loading of the energy carrier;
• manual mechanism for adjusting the intensity of work.

If we compare fireplaces with open and closed combustion chambers, then the efficiency of the first is 20%, and the second is 70%.

A fireplace with air heating with your own hands is the easiest to make, because the equipment is not distinguished by a complex device. The very layout of the air ducts is also easy to organize. The room temperature is reached within a few minutes.

Disadvantages of a fireplace heating system with air ducts:

• constant circulation of dust in the house due to the operation of fans (in the case of forced air circulation);
• increased noise level due to air movement along the air ducts;
• the temperature in the room drops as quickly as it rose after the extinction of the fireplace;
• low efficiency;
• the need for manual control of the combustion reaction;
• the need for constant loading of the energy carrier into the furnace.

Heating a house with a fireplace with a water circuit and air ducts can be an excellent alternative source of heat, but not the main one. Such heating elements run on an inexpensive energy source. But fireplaces can be afforded by those people who are not too lazy to constantly throw firewood into the firebox, control the intensity of their combustion and periodically clean the chimneys.

Varieties of devices

With open firebox

When discussing heating and fireplaces, it is advisable to start with the classic options - designs with an open firebox. They have long served as a source of heat, but now the disadvantage of such a solution is obvious: the device will not be able to heat even a medium-sized room, not to mention the neighboring ones.

This is due to the extremely low efficiency. When organizing heating a house with a fireplace with an open firebox, you should be prepared for the fact that more than 80% of thermal energy escapes into the chimney and only 20% goes for heating.

In addition, maintaining the flame in open fireplaces will require twice as much fuel (the price of which is quite high) than for heaters with a closed firebox. Also, in the room where the unit is installed, it is necessary to ensure the flow of the required amount of fresh air, which is involved in the combustion process.

In the photo - a fireplace with an open combustion chamber

Do not forget about the fire safety rules.

The corresponding instruction reads:

1. You cannot leave an unextinguished flame in the firebox for a long time (at night or during the absence of the owners in the house).
2. The floor covering near the heating device must be covered with some kind of non-combustible material (especially if wood-burning fireplaces are used for heating, from which, if not properly handled, smoldering ash can fall out).

With a closed firebox

Such fireplaces for home heating have some advantages:

1. High efficiency. More than three quarters of the thermal energy generated as a result of fuel combustion is efficiently used.
2. They can be used as an additional or backup heat source in the house.
3. Combustion chambers are made of high-strength material with high thermal inertia. They perfectly withstand strong temperature fluctuations, resist corrosion and heat the room for a long time after the end of the wood burning process.
4. Outside, the combustion chamber is protected by heat-resistant glass that can withstand heating up to + 800 degrees Celsius. It is attached so that it is convenient to load fuel into the fireplace.

Closed fireplaces are more efficient and safer

Note! Fireplace heating of a house should provide for the generation of about 1 kW of thermal power per 4 m 2 of space. In addition, the area of ​​the room where the heater is installed must be at least 45 m 2.

Considering that oxygen is needed to maintain a fire, efficient supply ventilation should be installed in the room. The inflow volume is calculated as follows: to generate 1 kW of heat, 10 m3 of air is needed

That is, if the fireplace generates 5 kW of heat, an air duct with a fan must provide an intake of 50 m3.

A huge advantage of the structures under consideration with a closed firebox is that when installing additional equipment, they are able to heat the air not only in the room where they are installed, but also in neighboring rooms. Moreover, you can build everything with your own hands, without the involvement of expensive specialists.

The fireplace can be designed independently

Combined heating

Combined heating is said when the fireplace gives off heat not only by radiation from the flame, but also from heating the air inside itself. If everything is clear with the heat from the flame, then what is meant by heating the air in the fireplace?

In this case, the increase in air temperature is carried out in special channels located between the furnace cavity and the facing material of its walls.Warm air enters the room through the channels in the walls or ceiling. In order to avoid mixing it with combustion products, the latter are discharged through the chimney.

Heated air can enter the air ducts in the walls:

• By natural convection. It is achieved due to the difference in the density of cold air and warm air.
• Forced convection. In this case, air is pumped into the channels using fans.

With the help of control systems it is possible to control the power of these fans and, as a result, the distribution of heat in the house.

The design of air ducts must be carried out in the process of working on a project at home. In this case, you can foresee a lot of nuances in the work of the future fireplace, including the type of fuel used.

The efficiency of the air duct system is based on some fundamentals that are known only to specialists, which are recommended to be consulted. So, the greatest efficiency from a fireplace can be achieved by the device of a simple channel system, its centralization.

Those who are worried about the cleanliness of the air in the house should be aware that it is best to use fresh air to operate the fireplace. Otherwise, the following unpleasant situation will develop: polluted air from the fireplace room will enter the heating system, and under the influence of high temperatures it will return back in an even worse condition.

The scheme of the fireplace with air heating

Detailed characteristics of soapstone

A fireplace with a heating system, as mentioned earlier, can be finished with exceptionally environmentally friendly and fireproof materials. Talcochlorite belongs to this category of materials and has the following distinctive features:

1. A heating brick stove with a soapstone fireplace is distinguished not only by its natural environmental friendliness, strength and fire resistance, but also by its healing properties. Such a coating has a beneficial effect on human health and immunity;
2. Such a coating serves not only as an original decoration for a portal or hearth, but also as additional protection against various damage, destruction and deformation. When heated, it expands sharply and also quickly takes on its original shape;
3. Due to its good tolerance to flame, strong heating and sudden temperature changes, such a coating can even be used for cladding surfaces that are directly exposed to open fire;
4. Talcochlorite has a long service life. Even with regular use of the heating system, it does not crack, deform and retains its original appearance, color intensity and texture;
5. Such a brick heating stove with a fireplace, even when heating the hearth, makes the surface as protected as possible. When in contact with such a lining, you may feel a slight heating, moreover, the oven can currently operate at full power.

Eco-friendly and healthy talcochlorite

Small closed hearth framed with soapstone trim

Soapstone portals have an average cost, durability and proper heat resistance

If you want to learn more about the different types of facing materials, we recommend that you pay attention to the photo selection presented in this article.

Project number 1 - compact mini-fireplace

This hearth is suitable for heating a room of 16–20 m² in a country house or a small country house. Another option for using the structure is as a street barbecue built in a garden gazebo. A feature of the fireplace is the side convection ducts that heat the air in the room. The size of the building is 102 x 51 cm.

To lay out a mini-fireplace, you will need the following materials:

• solid ceramic bricks - 240 pcs. (chimney is not included);
• revision door 24 x 14 cm - 1 pc .;
• cast iron grates 18 x 14 cm;
• latch 25 x 14 cm;
• stainless steel sheet 1 mm thick, size 500 x 1000 mm;
• a sheet of black or galvanized metal, laid in front of the firebox, dimensions - 70 x 50 cm.

Sectional drawing of a mini-fireplace. Convection channel outlets are provided on the side walls

The mini-fireplace shown in the drawing is laid out in this order:

1. The first tier is solid. On the second, 3 air channels are laid - 2 side and one in the middle, located under the grate.
2. On the third row, the bottom part and the nest of the grate are formed (made 5 mm wider than the product). Then the grate itself is placed.
3. A fireplace insert is being built from the 4th to the 10th tier. On the V row, 2 metal rods Ø5 mm are laid for mounting a stainless steel sheet.
4. In the 10th row, the rear brick protrudes a quarter into the firebox, the side stones move outward by 40 mm. The width of the firebox in this place is 49 cm.
5. The ends of the side stones of the 11th tier are sawn at an angle of 28 ° to the vertical line. You will get the support platforms of the arched vault. 2 stones in the depth of the firebox are placed on the edge.
6. The vault is constructed of 9 stones, cut in the form of a trapezoid, with base sizes of 65 and 52 mm, as indicated in the order. The radius of the circle is 51 cm.
7. On the 12th tier, the formation of the vault is completed, the upper steel rods are placed and a stainless steel screen is installed.
8. Tier 13-14 forms the outlet openings of the convection channels. The inspection door is installed here.
9. 15th row - the overlap is being built, 16-18 - the beginning of the chimney.

The master will tell in detail the algorithm for laying a mini-fireplace in his video:

Fireplace fuel

Traditionally, a fireplace insert involves burning wood, due to the release of heat from which the rooms are heated.

However, advances in technology make it possible to replace the standard wood-burning fireplace with a heating circuit with electric and gas alternatives.

In this case, the traditional visual component of a fireplace in the form of fire is usually artificial. But home owners get rid of the need to clean ash and control the availability of firewood.

Project # 2 - simple heating fireplace

The dimensions of this structure are 112 x 65 cm, height - 2020 mm. The inner size of the portal is 52 x 49 cm. Accelerated heating of the room is provided due to the convective air channel. The building materials kit looks like this:

• clay corpulent brick - 345 pcs.;
• chimney valve - 250 x 130 mm;
• 2 steel equal angles 45 mm wide and 70 cm long;
• metal sheet 500 x 700 mm.

A feature of the masonry of the fireplace shown in the diagram is the setting of a large number of bricks at the base on the edge. Above, a narrow long channel is arranged, where the heated air of the room moves. Let's move on to the construction algorithm:

1. The first tier is solid, consisting of bricks placed on the bottom. On the second tier, a heating duct with a section of 65 mm is formed, on the third, the base of the firebox is laid.
2. From the 4th to the 9th rows, the walls of the portal are being erected. The air duct moves into the rear wall of the fireplace. On the 9th tier, corners are placed - floor supports.
3. Tier 10 - overlapping the firebox. On the 11th row, the front stones are extended by 130 mm, the 12th tier is a mantelpiece. The convective channel is divided into 2 narrow shafts.
4. Rows 13-25 make up the smoke box. The heating channel ends in the 14th tier.
5. Row No. 26 closes the flue, which narrows down to the chimney. The gate valve is installed on the 27th tier.
6. The remaining rows 28-31 form the beginning of the chimney.

The technique of the trial kindling of the fireplace is demonstrated in the last video:

Masonry

Layout of rows for a corner fireplace

Cover the dried-up foundation with a double layer of roofing material. This will provide the necessary protection for the foundation.

Prepare masonry mortar. Traditionally, fireplaces are laid out using a pre-soaked clay mortar.

The first row of masonry is best done using a mortar with a small addition of cement (approximately 10-20% of the total mass of the mixture).

Calibrate the bricks in advance by selecting the most suitable sized products for the masonry of each row.

Immerse the bricks in water for a while before laying. This will allow the items to become saturated with moisture. Otherwise, the bricks will take water from the clay mortar, which will lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of the masonry.

Lay out the first row of bricks with an edge. Check the alignment of the row with a square and a level. Make sure the opposite sides and diagonals of the base are the same length.

The recommended seam thickness is up to 0.5 cm.

The laying is carried out in accordance with the order. The following is a procedure that is relevant for most existing types of fireplaces. For the rest, be guided by the drawings you have.

Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

Lay out three continuous rows of the base.

Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

Second step

Lay out 4-5 rows with an ash pan arrangement.

Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

Third step

Lay out 6-7 rows with the arrangement of the bottom and frame of the brick fireplace.

Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions

Fifth step

Lay out rows 14-19 with the arrangement of the smoke box.

Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

Sixth step

Lay out 20-25 rows of fireplace with chimney arrangement.

Arrange the basement and continuous rows of masonry using a trowel or trowel. The chimney and fuel chamber are laid out manually, because

at these stages it is very important to control the quality of the solution used

Apply the masonry mortar to the middle of the bricks. The edges of the elements must remain free.

When laying out each row, adhere to the selected order. For more convenience, you can number the products.

Pay special attention to the quality of the masonry of the fuel compartment and flue ducts - these elements must be laid out as evenly and as tightly as possible. Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions Laying a fireplace, step by step instructions

To form a beautiful curved vault, gradually overlap the masonry elements.

It is important that the size of the overlap does not exceed 50-60 mm in each row.

Arrangement of curved lintels is performed using temporary formwork - circled. To fix such a formwork, use the supports under the arched fireplace arch.

Start with a brick in the center and work symmetrically in both directions.

Periodically check the verticality of the flue pipe. Even the slightest deviations from the vertical can lead to the appearance of smoke in the room.

Fireplace laying, step by step instructions

For laying the chimney, use a mortar with the addition of cement, similar to the mixture used to lay out the fireplace base.

The chimney must be covered with a layer of fireproof insulation to increase fire safety.Insulation is installed in the places where pipes pass through the structures of the house (floors, roofs, etc.). The most commonly used insulation materials are asbestos.

Fireplace chimney

Coal heating

It would seem an old and, as many would think, a primitive version of home heating. But, coal still remains a lifesaver for residents of those areas in which gas pipelines are not stretched and they have to be content with what they have. The heating system on coal and brown coal is somewhat reminiscent of a Russian stove, only it needs to be added not firewood, but coal, and it is also necessary to clean the hearth. Coal heating is popular in villages where gas heating is not available. Note that the stove itself has become more perfect, in the firebox of which coal is thrown: the hearth heats the air not only next to the stove, but also throughout the entire residential area. A similar feature was achieved due to a solid fuel boiler and a whole system of radiators.
The boiler plays the role of a transformer, inside of which energy is accumulated and evenly distributed to the radiators. Further, the radiators heat the air, and the heat enters the building due to the pumps installed in the system.

Thus, we can note the positive dynamics in the evolution of heating devices.

The system described by us has a lot of shortcomings, this is the frequent tossing of fuel and its uneven combustion, but all these disadvantages fade into the background at the sight of quite valuable advantages:

• versatility;
• profitability;
• simplicity;
• high heat transfer;
• long pause between fuel tabs.

Coal heating is simple and economical.

Such a feature as versatility has an explanation: the installation is able to operate not only on coal, but also on other types of fuel. The types of fuel include firewood and briquettes, household waste, etc. Coal costs about half the price of the same gas, besides, it can be replaced with even the simplest garbage (sawdust, sheet, wood chips, etc.)

Solid fuel burns in the furnace to generate a large amount of energy. Usually, one serving is enough for about three to five days, the time of use directly depends on what kind of coal is used.

Types of fireplaces by material of manufacture

For the device of aquacamine, brick, natural stone, ceramics, cast iron, steel sheet, basalt fiber insulation, heat-resistant glass are used.

Brick

The fireplace stove can be custom designed for almost any configuration. Tiling will emphasize the individuality of the interior. As a rule, high quality working bricks (refractory) are used in such fireplaces.

Requires careful adherence to technology, high-quality installation. Installed on a separate foundation. The high starting cost is justified by the increased comfort.

Metallic

The most profitable because of the optimal price / quality ratio. Low weight, affordable price, easy installation, various designs contribute to their ubiquitous distribution.

Combined

They combine the comfort of an infrared fireplace heating, the heat capacity of a massive stove, and the functionality of a water heating system. Have the highest possible efficiency. They give up the accumulated heat for a long time after the fire has died out.

A combustion chamber with a heat exchanger is built in during the construction of a brick or stone facade of the fireplace. Since access for repairs will then be difficult, the cast-iron option is optimal. A separate foundation is required, therefore a durable ceramic chimney is recommended.

Content:

1. Heating options for a country house 2. Gas heating in a private house 3. The principle of operation and components of the equipment 4. Do-it-yourself installation of equipment 5. Electric heating 6. Coal heating 7. Work of a solid fuel boiler 8. Choosing coal and calculating costs

Immediately, we will make a reservation that on the modern market for heating appliances there is a great variety of a wide variety of systems (stoves, fireplaces and boilers), however, preference is most often given to water heating, which is considered the most utilitarian and popular option. But, in more detail.

Determination of basic dimensions

The ratio of the size of the fireplace and the room

Perform the necessary preliminary calculations. Determine the volume of the room set aside for the construction of the fireplace. The opening of the firebox should be 1/50 of the volume of the room you calculated.

The height of the portal should be 2 times the depth of the firebox.

The dimensions and ratios shown are very important. If the depth of the firebox is greater than the permissible value, the fireplace will significantly lose heat transfer. Smoke will occur if the firebox is smaller.

Select the dimensions of the smoke holes taking into account the dimensions of the combustion area. The cross-sectional area of ​​the chimney should be 10-15 times smaller than the area of ​​the firebox.

The optimal diameter of round chimneys is 100-150 mm. The length of the chimney can be up to 500 cm or more.