Choosing the right size wood burner is a complex process, but it is vital that you get the size right. This is because the size of your burner will affect the amount of heat it produces.
But what size wood burner do you need? The size of wood burner you need depends on a number of factors including the size of the room and how well insulated it is along with the individual efficiency of the stove.
It is important to select the right size wood burner for the best wood-burning experience. Here’s our guide to getting the right size wood burner for your house.
How Big a Room Will A 5kW Stove Heat?
The 5 kW stove will, as its name suggests, generate 5kW of heat. This is enough to heat a room measuring 7m long by 4m wide (approx 22ft by 13ft) and with a height of 2.5m (just over 8ft).
This is equal to 70 cubic metres of space.
What Size Room Will a 5kw Stove Heat?
As a rule of thumb, 5kw log burner room size is equivalent to a good size lounge-diner in the UK.
If you need to heat a larger room, then you will need to go for a wood burner with a higher kW rating.
How Do I Know What Size Log Burner I Need?
To know what size log burner you need, you first need to know the size of your room. Once you have this figure, you can then calculate the size of the log burner that you will need.
The following formula will help you work out what kw log burner you need:
Size of log burner (in kW) = Room height (in metres) x Room width (in metres), divided by 14
Once you have the log burner sizes, you can then choose the right one from a wide range of wood burners available in the market.
However, note that a well-insulated room will need a lower kW rating than a poorly insulated one.
For a well-insulated room, the formula will remain as above, while for a poorly insulated room, the following formula should be used:
Size of log burner (in kW) = Room height (in metres) x Room width (in metres), divided by 10
A newly built room is usually super-insulated and will need a lower kW rating than an older room. The formula for a new room that is super-insulated is as follows:
Size of log burner (in kW) = Room height (in metres) x Room width (in metres), divided by 25.
8kW Wood Burner Room Size
How big a room that an 8 kW wood burner can heat depends on several factors, such as insulation, ceiling height, and room layout. However, as a rough estimate, you can use the following formula to calculate the approximate room size that an 8 kW wood burner can heat:
Room size (in cubic meters) = (Heater Output in kW) / (Specific Heat Loss)
Assuming an average heat loss of 0.1 kW per cubic meter (this can vary depending on the insulation and other factors), the formula would be:
Room size = 8 kW / 0.1 kW per cubic meter = 80 cubic meters
Now, if you have an average ceiling height of 2.4 meters, you can further estimate the floor area:
Floor area = 80 cubic meters / 2.4 meters = 33.3 square meters
So, an 8 kW wood burner can roughly heat a room with a floor area of around 33 square meters, given these assumptions. Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, and individual circumstances may vary.
Can A Wood Stove Be Too Big?
Yes, a wood stove can be too big for a room. This can happen if you choose a stove that has a higher kW rating than your room requires.
If this happens, the extra heat produced by the stove can make the room feel too hot.
In this case, you will need to install a ventilation system in your room to allow the heat to escape which kind of defeats the object.
The same is true if you choose a wood burner that is too small for your room. If the stove is not big enough to heat your room, then you will not enjoy the wood-burning experience.
There is a misconception that a big stove will heat the other rooms in the house; this is not always the case and could be dangerous.
When you light a too-large stove for your home can overheat the room and make it uncomfortable to sit in as well as take up space that is usually at a premium for most modern families.
In short, the log burner size is important, and you need to make sure that you get the right size for your needs.
A wood burner that is too small for your room may fail to generate enough heat, while a big burner will give too much heat. Also, a too big burner will be a waste of fuel.
Factors That Determine The Size Of The Wood Stove
The size of the wood stove is not only determined by the size of the room that it will be heating but the following factors as well:
- The amount of heat that is required to heat the room.
- The type of wood that is being burned.
- The design and efficiency of the wood stove.
- The amount of ventilation in the room.
- The insulation of the room.
What Size Log Burner Do I Need?
So what size log burner? When choosing a wood burner, it is important to get the size right to ensure you enjoy your wood burning experience.
Remember that the size of your room will primarily dictate the size of the burner you need (including the height of the ceilings) but you should also take into account other factors such as insulation.
Older cottages with thick walls will need a higher kW compared to modern and eco-efficient houses. Victorian townhouses with taller ceilings will also demand more stove oomph.
By using our formulas in this guide, you can be sure to choose the right log burner sizes for your home.
