Difference between wood burning stove and fireplace
Both fireplaces and modern stoves are sophisticated units that generate heat through the combustion of raw material. This chemical process creates a warm and homey atmosphere. However, what are the differences between these two heating units?
First of all, both modules have two parts: the hearth, where the combustion process takes place, and the vertical duct, dedicated to expelling all the smoke and residues resulting from combustion. However, the architecture of the two is quite different.
Wood burning stoves are usually made of cast iron or steel. This way, they deliver most of the heat to a single room. Thus, stoves do not have a covering and leave the evacuation tube exposed.
On the other hand, the hearth of fireplaces can be a simple metal box with ventilation, also called an insert or cassette fireplace, or it can be a cavity that includes refractory materials, that is, materials that withstand high temperatures without decomposing.
Furthermore, in fireplaces, the gas evacuation tube is always hidden through a hood or an embedded wall, thus discreetly distributing heat throughout our home.
Other differences: open and closed fire
It’s not just an aesthetic issue, but a major difference in heat production and energy efficiency. Thanks to a panel or a glass door, the temperature inside the combustion chamber is increased.
Speaking in figures, an open fire has just a 15% efficiency, while a modern wood burning fireplace or stove reaches an energy efficiency of over 78%, allowing us to heat our home using less wood.
Also, a closed fire produces cleaner and more efficient combustion since the smoke is extracted through a labyrinth of tubes. An open fireplace emits 15 times more CO2 than a closed one.
At Carbel, we specialize in wood burning stoves, cassettes, and thermal fireplaces, offering a functional, effective product that matches current designs. For any questions or inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us.
