When there is a need for a backup heat source in the house, the fireplace is mentioned first. A live fire that fills the house with warmth has always been associated with comfort and cosiness.
With the development of heating technologies, the fireplace has gained additional opportunities for efficient and economical heating of the house.
Fireplaces by fuel type are divided into the following types:● wood● gas● electric● bio fireplaces
In addition, there is a classification of fireplaces by type of heat extraction:● air● with water heat exchanger● accumulative
Foremost, we should mention wood fireplaces. The process of fuel combustion in them is controlled by valves that regulate both the supply of air to the furnace and the process of removal of combustion products in the chimney.
Wood fireplaces are usually used as a heat source for air heating of a house with convection and radiant heat transfer. But models with water heat exchangers are also popular, which allows you to include them as the main or additional heating device in the water heating system.
Because the process of burning firewood is very difficult to automate, and it is characterized by uneven heat release during operation, so-called heat accumulators have become widespread. They are made in the form of massive elements that are heated during the burning of firewood and after burning the fireplace for several hours give off the accumulated heat. This design allows you to partially compensate for certain shortcomings of the fireplace due to a significant increase in the inertia of the system.
To improve the performance of wood fireplaces, they are included in the general heating system (air or water). Servo-operated dampers, multi-way valves and temperature sensors (including high-temperature) are used to control the combustion process. There is even an option such as electric lighters for automatic or remote firewood.
Gas fireplaces are similar in design with the difference that the fuel supply process is continuous and it is easy to adjust. But such a design requires a gas pipeline.
Electric fireplaces are free from most of the disadvantages of previous designs, but they do not have the main advantage - the presence of a real flame. This fireplace can be controlled by the usual thermostats (built-in or external), which are used for any other electric heating devices.