Wood Heater Buyers Guide

Buying a wood heater is a chance to create a stylish and functional focal point for your home. We have a great range of wood heaters here at Sydney Wood Heaters and with just a bit of preparation, you can enjoy the sight, sounds and smell of a real wood fire. The first thing to think about is what type of wood heater you would like. Think about what style you’d like – are you looking for sleek, modern look, or something more traditional? You also need to think about how much heat you need your wood heater to provide. For some people, the wood heater is a supplementary source, while for others it’s the main way of heating the room. Finally, you’ll need to think about maintenance and making sure your wood heater will last for many years to come.

Free standing or In-built – which type of wood heater to choose

Free standing wood heater

 

A free-standing wood heater is a great choice for people who don’t have a conventional fireplace, or if you want to create a central heat source in an open-plan space. A freestanding wood heater can be placed next to a wall, to echo a traditional fireplace, in a nook or corner, or in a purpose-built stone fire zone. You’ll need to make sure your hearth and surround meet Australian Standards. If you’re installing a wood heater as a retro-fit project this is a really good choice.

 

In-Built wood heater

 

Choosing a in-built wood heater may need a bit more work at the initial planning stage but the results are 100% worth it. You’ll need to create a made-to-measure stone or fire-safe cavity as well as a hearth that meets Australian standards. This type of wood heater is a superb addition to a home that has a modern aesthetic. It sits flush with the wall, so it creates a sleek, seamless look, and gives the fire centre stage in the room. You’ll find this type of heater is easiest to install as part of a complete renovation project, or a new build, but with a little work, it can be retro-fitted too.

 

Convection or radiant wood heater – which type will suit you best

Convection wood heater

 

This type of wood heater is one of the most versatile. It works by drawing air through the heater and creating a flow of heat over the fuel source. At Sydney Wood Heaters we have an innovative triple burn system that takes air over the baffle plate several times before it goes out to the room. This means maximum fuel efficiency and maximum warmth for your space. A convection heater creates an evenly distributed heat that is a great option for people who need their wood heater as the main source of warmth and work best in well-insulated homes.

 

Radiant wood heaters

 

As you might guess, a radiant wood heater works by radiating heat from the outer casing. The heat is more intense in the area around the heater but fades as you move away from the source. This type of heater works best in homes with high ceilings and lots of separate living zones with dividing walls. It’s a good choice if you’re home is a bit draughty and hard to insulate.

 

What size wood heater do I need?

 

There is a range of different sizes of wood heaters available. It’s easy to imagine that the bigger the better but this isn’t the case. If you choose a wood heater that is too big for your space, then you’ll end up wasting fuel, which is bad for your pocket and for the planet. If you choose a heater that is too small for your space, you risk feeling chilly or needing a second heat source. As a rough guide: • A small wood heater can heat up to approximately 150 square feet • A medium wood heater can heat approximately 200 square feet • A large wood heater can heat approximately 300 square feet Every space is different, which is why you’ll find the team at Sydney Wood Heaters are happy to help you decide what type and size of heater will work best in your home.

 

What should my wood heater be made from?

 

Wood heaters are typically made from cast iron or steel. Both types have their benefits.

 

Steel wood heater

 

Steel is super durable. A steel wood heater is created by welding panels together. It’s a low maintenance material, and because of the panel construction, should any part become damaged it can be easily replaced. • Steel heats up and cools down quickly • Steel cost less to make, so steel wood burners are less expensive • More flexibility in terms of location • Durable • Works well in all settings • Range of colours available

Cast Iron Wood Heater

 

Cast iron wood heaters are made using a mould. Various parts are fixed together using gaskets and a special heat resistant furnace cement. They need more maintenance over the course of their life and it can be tricky to fix cracks that may appear over time. This type of stove is more complicated to build, so it is more expensive to buy. • Traditional aesthetic • Long lasting heat • Takes time to heat up • Stable temperature

Wood heaters and the environment

 

We all know how important it is to consider our impact on our environment when buying anything, and this is especially important when choosing something that uses fuel and emits by-products. Choosing a wood heater that is the right size for your space and has low emissions means you can be sure you are heating your home responsibly.

Australian Standards for wood heaters

 

Regulations developed in 2019 build on the standards drawn up by the Australian Home Heating Association. As well as setting out guidelines for efficiency, the 2019 regulation specified that wood heater emissions must be under 1.5 grams per kilo, and offer efficiency of 60% fuel to heat. This means less soot, which means less mess and less fuel. Air quality is better, and you can spend less time chopping logs and more time enjoying the fabulous heat and glow from your wood heater. The Australian Home Heating Association recommends that very old heaters (pre-1992) be replaced with a more efficient, certified model and you’ll be pleased to know products from Sydney Wood Heaters are designed and built to meet or exceed these standards.

Where to install your wood heater

 

Your new wood heater will keep you nice and toasty, but it’s important to use all that lovely heat safely. Any heater needs to be a safe distance from any combustibles – so things like walls, carpets and other flooring. As you browse the Sydney Wood Heaters catalogue you’ll be able to check the product specifications, which gives you detailed info about how much space is needed around the heater, as well as lots of other useful info like the type of flue, dimensions and hearth requirements.

Installation

 

While most of our stoves are available for in-store pickup, installing a wood heater requires care and skill. Unless you have experience in this type of installation, we recommend using the services of a professional and we’re happy to offer a list of trusted installers for you to choose from.

Looking after your wood heater

 

Our triple burn system means greater fuel efficiency and this means less maintenance. The days of endless ash clearance and endless wood chopping are gone and this cleaner way of burning wood means less soot in your chimney too. Choosing a certified heater that meets AS/NZ4013 means you can be confident that you have a wood heater that offers maximum output for minimum effort.

Occasional maintenance

 

To keep everything working as it should, there are a few simple things you can do • Before the start of the wood-burning season, check your heater and the flue are clean – arrange a chimney sweep if you need to • During the wood-burning season, clean any glass bound soot with a piece of scrunched up newspaper • Check the firebox for ash and remove as necessary These simple steps will keep your heater working safely and efficiently for years to come.

Get in touch

 

Choosing a new wood heater needs a fair bit of thought. Our team are happy to talk through your options and help you decide which wood heater will be best. We’ll look at size, location and we’ll even help you decide which colour to choose if you need us to. You can find out more about our great range of Australian made wood heaters by getting in touch. Give us a call on 1300440440 send an email to sales@sydneygaslogfires.com.au or just fill out our contact form. If you’d like to come and look at the wood heaters we have to offer, just pop in to see us. Our showroom is open at 6 Shale Place, Eastern Creek NSW 2766. and we’re here every day from 9 am to 5 pm.