The direct radiant heat from a wood-burning stove gives a very high level of comfort. In addition, burning wood is short-cycling, which means that the CO2 released during firing is absorbed by the trees as they grow. Wood burns at a high temperature; the flue gases that go out through the exhaust are very hot. A heat exchanger can be used to harness the heat from the flue gases.

Operation of a heat exchanger wood stove

The flue gases from a wood stove rise to 400º Celsius. Those flue gases are discharged to the outside through a gas-tight and temperature-resistant duct. By passing those flue gases through a stove pipe heat exchanger, through which water flows, the flue gases cool and the water heats up. This increases the efficiency of a wood stove, more heat and therefore more energy from the wood is utilised by using a flue gas heat exchanger.

Applications of flue gas heat exchangers

A wood stove heat exchanger can be placed on a wood stove in a home, but also on a wood stove outside, on the terrace or next to the Jacuzzi. It is also possible to fit an automated wood stove with a heat exchanger. Think of a pellet stove or a wood stove that fills automatically. These stoves are not in sight but in a technical room, are suitable for larger buildings, swimming pools or in locations where gas is not readily available.

Efficiency of a flue gas heat exchanger

The efficiency of a flue gas heat exchanger for a wood-burning stove depends on the application and installation. For example, when connected to central heating (CH), where the water is heated from 60º to 80º Celsius, the flue gases can be cooled to just above 60º, just like a high-efficiency CH boiler. In practice, this depends very much on the situation and regulation of the installation. The flue gases must be able to exit freely, without too much resistance, and the water must not become too hot.

The energy-saving effect of a heat exchanger for a wood-burning stove

A heat exchanger wood stove on central heating gives the high comfort of the wood stove combined with the well-controlled operation of the central heating system. The flue gas exchanger makes optimum use of the heat and energy from the wood and ensures that it is offered to the heating system at a usable temperature. So you save gas and use short-cycle wood for high-efficiency heating.

Question or more information about heat exchangers for a wood stove?

A flue gas heat exchanger should not only be gas tight and high temperature resistant. Heating water above 100º Celsius produces steam, which can be very dangerous and harmful. Do you want a wood stove with heat exchanger and want more information on the right selection and application? Or would you like an instant quotation for our Cipex HT heat exchangers? Then contact us.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

How does a heat exchanger for a wood stove work?

A wood stove heat exchanger is placed between the flue pipe on the wood stove. The heat exchanger cools the flue gases by heating water that flows through pipes in the exchanger. This hot water can be connected to central heating or, for example, a Jacuzzi.

How does a flue gas exchanger affect efficiency?

The flue gases passing through a flue gas heat exchanger wood stove are up to 400º Celsius. By cooling them down and using the heat, as much heat and energy as possible is used from the wood. In this way, the efficiency of a wood-burning stove comes close to that of a standard gas-fired central heating boiler.