What exactly does a blower do on a wood stove, and how can it help improve your heating experience? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the inner workings of wood stove blowers and explain how they can help maximize your stove’s efficiency and effectiveness.
We’ll also explore the benefits and drawbacks of using a blower with a wood stove. So grab a hot cup of cocoa and get ready to learn about the amazing benefits of wood stove blowers!
Do You Need a Blower for a Wood Stove?
It is not necessary to have a blower for a wood stove, but it can be a useful accessory. A blower can help to circulate the warm air produced by the wood stove more evenly throughout the room, making the heat more comfortable and efficient.
A blower works by using a small electric motor to circulate air through the stove and out into the room. This can help to increase the overall efficiency of the stove, as it allows the heat to be more evenly distributed and can help to reduce the amount of warm air that gets trapped near the ceiling.
By forcing warm air out into your living space, a blower can help distribute heat more evenly and efficiently, making your home feel even cozier.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to use a blower with a wood stove:
- Size of the room or area being heated: If you have a large space that you are trying to heat, a blower can be especially useful in helping to distribute the heat more evenly.
- Size and efficiency of the wood stove: If you have a stove with a small firebox or if you are using smaller logs that do not produce as much heat, a blower can help to compensate for these factors and improve the overall performance of the stove.
- The location of the stove in the room: If the stove is located in a corner or against a wall, a blower can help to circulate the heat more effectively throughout the room.
- Cost and availability of electricity: A blower requires electricity to operate, so you will need to consider the cost of running the blower and whether or not you have a reliable source of power.
- The manufacturer’s recommendations: Many wood stoves are designed to be used with a blower, and the manufacturer may provide specific recommendations on how to use the blower effectively.
- Personal preferences: Some people may prefer the added warmth and circulation provided by a blower, while others may not find it necessary or may prefer the natural convection of heat produced by the stove.
So, is a blower necessary for a wood stove? It ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your home, but it’s certainly worth considering if you want to get the most out of your wood stove.
Many homes today have a wood stove which is used as their sole heat source, for additional heat to reduce other utilities and/or used for ambiance but there may not be a wood stove blower installed.
Typically, a wood stove is used for heating but one of the biggest problems is that it will only heat the room that the stove is located in. Other rooms, like the bedrooms, are left untouched by the warmth and this is a very good reason as to why a wood stove blower should be used.
What is a Blower on a Wood Stove?
A blower on a wood stove is a device that is used to circulate and distribute the heat generated by the stove more evenly throughout a room or a home.
It consists of a fan that is powered by electricity and is mounted to the back or bottom of the stove.
When the blower is turned on, it sucks in cool air from the room and pushes it through the stove, where it is heated by the wood burning inside. The hot air is then blown back into the room, helping to warm up the space more quickly and efficiently.
Blowers are often used in conjunction with wood stoves in large, open floor plans or in homes with poor insulation, as they can help to evenly distribute the heat throughout the space. They can also be helpful in increasing the overall efficiency of the stove, as they can help to draw more air into the firebox, which can result in a hotter and more efficient burn.
Some wood stoves even come with a built-in blower, while others require the installation of an aftermarket blower. A blower can be a useful tool for maximizing the performance and efficiency of a wood stove, but it is not necessary for everyone.
How a Wood Stove Blower Works
By circulating the warm air and forcing it to move into other areas of your home, you are able to warm those cold areas of your home. By strategically adding a wood stove blower either in front of your wood stove or in the vents of the surrounding mantel, you are able to distribute the heat throughout your home. Wood stove blowers can also be added into doorways and into vents. Using a blower is a cost-effective way to use your wood stove to heat your home without any other method of heat.
In order to get the most from a wood stove blower, it should have a large enough motor to push the amount of air that you want to be moved. In addition, it should be designed to do what you want it to do. Do you want the air moving around the room, do you want the air to be circulated into other rooms or do you want the cold and bad air to be pushed up and out of the chimney?
Best Wood Stove Blowers
Powered by heat, the Caframo Ecofan Original pushes the heat radiating from your wood stove out into the greater areas of your home. This fan is ingenious in how it works; any home with a wood stove should have a fan like this. Not only is the fan economical but it will save you both money and fuel in the long run.
Features of Caframo Ecofan Original
The Caframo Ecofan is designed to be used with wood stoves. It is extremely quiet and you will use less fuel while the Ecofan is being used.
As long as the wood stove’s surface is between 300 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit, the two fan blades will quickly and efficiently warm the room and other areas of your home.
The Pros of Caframo Ecofan Original
No electricity used – It has a unique motor which will move once a certain temperature has been reached. The fan placement is your key for the fan to work properly. To use, simply remove fan from the shipping box and place on top of your wood stove. Perfect for those who live in areas where power outages frequently occur in the winter.
Savings in fuel costs – The Ecofan maximizes the benefits of your wood stove. The base is designed to “absorb” the heat from your wood stove. Once the fan reaches a certain temperature, the heat will not only power the fan, but quickly warm the room and keep it warm. Since no electricity is required, the fan will start and stop automatically without manual intervention.
Silent – The motor in the Caframo Ecofan is very quiet since there is no electrical motor to power the fan. The fan is so quiet that the baby can sleep peacefully in the same room and not be disturbed.
The Cons of Caframo Ecofan Original
This unique fan is not designed for use with inserts or to be placed on fireplace mantles.
The fan incorporates two fans which move up to 100CFM which do not have a protective guard covering them. This allows the fan to be more efficient; however, please use caution when small children are around.
Are Wood Stove Blowers Worth it?
Wood stove blowers are an investment and an asset to your wood stove. Wood stoves are an alternative to using your furnace that can create a costly heating bill in the colder months. By investing in a blower, you are not only getting the most of your stove but you are also able to heat the rest of your home too.
Dayton Low Profile Blower 115 Volt for Fireplace or Wood Stove (4C826) Model 1TDU8
You may have heard about people adding blowers to their existing wood stoves and you may have thought them crazy. Actually, it’s the other way around because those who do use wood stove blowers understand the functions and advantages to have one. Perhaps it’s time to learn more about why you should invest in one or two.
Buying a Wood Stove Blower
Before you head out and buy a wood stove blower, there are some things that you should know first. Some of the need-to-know facts are: you need to know what type of wood stove you have because not all models will fit all stoves. You will need to determine where the wood stove blower will be placed, how much room you have available and far do you need to the wood stove blower to push the warm air.
Wood Stove Blower Preparation
The first thing you need to know is the type of wood stove that you have. Is it a built-in, an insert or a free standing stove and what is the brand and model of the wood stove? It is also very important to know what you expect of a wood stove blower. With this in mind, you can determine how big the blower should be. You should also consider how the blower will be powered; will it be by electricity, batteries or without electricity (yes, this is possible). You should also consider who will be installing it; will it be yourself or will you be contracting the work?
The answers to questions such as how big of a wood stove blower will you need can be obtained from a factory representative or perhaps you can get a local wood stove specialist to give you a free inspection. With an inspection, you can get free information about your situation and the options that you have with no strings attached. A free inspection is a time to ask as many questions as possible.
The best wood stove blower that you can purchase will be one that works with your current wood stove and fit in the space that you have available. The blower should be powerful enough to move the amount of heat you feel necessary and it should be easy to install and have a good warranty. It is also a good idea for the unit to have overload protection and if not, ensure that one is installed.
Functions of Wood Stove Blowers
Probably the most obvious function is that they are to move heat. Actually, it’s to reduce your heating bill. Better yet, to warm all of the rooms in your home. These concepts are the reasons why you should consider, better yet invest in, a blower. Have you noticed that when you are somewhat close to your stove that you are quite warm and then when you leave the room you become cold? Have you not wondered how you can get the heat from the room where the stove is into the other rooms of your home?
Well, if you had a wood stove blower installed you would have to find something else to spend your time pondering about. Something like, whose turn it is to get the next load of firewood. By maximizing the most of what you currently have without increasing your utility bill too much, a blower can alleviate your cold room issues. You can have warmth in every room not just by the wood stove.
Comfort
Another function that blowers offer is comfort. Typically the room where your wood stove is is where you spend most of your time. This is an area where friends and family gather and enjoy each other’s company. The atmosphere is pleasant and enjoyable so why not have that feeling in the rest of your home? A blower can make this feeling happen. Installing the right size, positioning in a particular direction will enable other rooms to be warm too.
Advantages of Wood Stove Blowers
A blower will not heat your home unless it is designed for your stove and has sufficient power to blow enough air through and into other rooms of your home. By having a blower installed, you are creating the opportunity to warm the rest of your home by the same heat that heated the room where the stove is located. This can all be done at a fraction of the cost that it would be to heat your home with traditional methods.
There are different sizes and shapes that can be incorporated into your current wood stove system and you will be surprised as to how inexpensive (not from the factory) the blowers are. You will also want to consider single as well as dual blowers. There are blowers specifically made for stick-built homes, mobile homes, pellet stoves, free-standing and wood stove inserts. It doesn’t matter which one you need, they will all keep you warm wherever you go in your home.
Accessories
No, I’m not talking about bling; I’m talking about variable speed control or a thermal switch for example. A remote switch, remote control or even a timer are very helpful to use the heat wisely and efficiently. Typically, stove blowers have an “on” and “off” and that’s it. Sure this is great if your stove is in the wood shop but not for your home. Your life is busy and you need the blower to be able to accommodate your needs.
Utility bills are going up and you need to keep costs down. Your wood stove is an investment in your home which provides warmth and comfort to you and your family. Adding one or more wood stove blowers to your current stove is not only an investment but a must to warm your entire home.
