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Is wood heating possible in a tiny house?

  • Heating with wood in a tiny house is obviously possible. In fact, it seems as if this type of heating was designed for this type of home, as wood seems to respond to every constraint imposed by the tiny house: integration of the appliance in a small space, appropriate power, independence and autonomy (the tiny house is usually set up outside urban areas, far from the mains), simplicity of use, harmony with its environment, etc. Do you have any questions about wood heating in tiny houses? Here are our answers.
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What is behind the success of tiny houses? A need for authenticity, simplicity and a return to nature? To rediscover the spirit of the hut for the time of a fun and original experience? To live in a more compact, energy-efficient home? Whether it's a deep-seated trend or a fashion phenomenon, tiny houses are a huge success in France (and elsewhere). On the web and social networks, there are countless projects being created, the range of builders is expanding, and as with any home, the question of heating is coming up. And as is often the case, wood is well positioned.

  • 1. Why choose wood heating for a tiny house?
  • Opting for a wood-burning stove to heat a tiny house means choosing a compact appliance, centralised heating and no electrical or gas connections, apart from the flue connection. Of all the solutions available, wood energy is certainly one of the easiest to install in this type of housing.

Wood is also a renewable energy, most often harvested in a nearby area, and it is therefore a way of consuming locally, which seems to be in line with the tiny house way of life (a lifestyle in line with the "mini-house" spirit). 

Choosing wood for heating is also a form of consistency with the construction method. Indeed, wood, a lighter material than steel or concrete, is often the material chosen for the construction (frame, interior cladding, siding and even insulation depending on the manufacturers and models) and the interior design of the tiny house.

Finally, and this is more subjective, the charm of the flame will provide a very pleasant “chalet” atmosphere…

  • 2. What power of wood appliance should you choose in a tiny house? 
  • Who says tiny house, says tiny stove!
  • The tiny house is characterized by a small living area - and therefore to heat - generally between 20 m² and 30 m². Here are some selection criteria:
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  • - The power of the appliance
  • The first step is to look for « low power » wood-burning stoves (no more than 4 kW if possible). Once you've installed the stove, you'll need to adjust the system carefully to avoid overheating each time you use it at full power. Yes, it is advisable to use the stove with too much air! It is not advisable to operate the stove at a low speed (or at a low setting). This causes the appliance and flue to clog up more quickly, leading to deposits of bistre or tar... and the release of pollutants into the air due to incomplete combustion.
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  • - The size of the stove
  • Favour a compact appliance so that it doesn’t obstruct the layout or the flow of inner traffic.
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  • - The weight of the stove
  • The ideal formula would be « a lightweight appliance that can store a maximum heat and release it for a long time ». Unfortunately, weight and thermal inertia are linked.

Cast iron, which displays excellent inertial performance, is also a heavy material.Steel, which is lighter, heats up more quickly than cast iron, but has a lower inertial capacity. Other materials are also available, such as ceramic, terracotta or earthenware, the trick being to find the right compromise with a design that pleases.

  • - The size of the hearth 
  • If you want to use standard 25 cm logs (the smallest sizes available), remember that the fireplace size is compatible.
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  • - The performance of the appliance 
  • Warning! If the wood-burning stove is raised (this can happen in a tiny house), make sure that the support can hold the appliance securely and permanently. Remember that tiny houses are cottages on wheels. You don't want the stove to fall out of place when you move it...
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  • 3 - What type of flue should you choose to connect the stove in a tiny house?
  • For the smoke exhaust pipe, there are different solutions: single-wall flues, double-wall insulated flues and triple-wall insulated flues. But the choice isn’t made at random, it is dictated by different technical constraints: the nature of the device, the location of the installation in the tiny house, the configuration of the space, and the regulations. Add to this the desired level of performance and the aesthetic finish. 
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  • - The appliance
  • Is the stove sealed or unsealed? If it is airtight, the combustion air is taken from outside and conducted to the appliance. This is what differentiates it from non-airtight stoves, which draw their combustion air directly from the home.
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  • There are several solutions for the connecting flue:
  • - 2 mm ENAMELLED and STEEL single-wall flues.
  • - THERMINOX double-wall insulated flue.
  • - EFFICIENCE triple-wall insulated flue. This system is called "concentric" because it manages the combustion air supply AND the smoke exhaust in a single double flow system.

⚠ The EFFICIENCE range is rarely found in this type of installation because there are fewer appliances compatible with this power level (<5 kW).

Note that, depending on the stove, the flue will be installed differently depending on whether the connection is made on the top of the appliance or at the back. This will have an influence on the interior layout.

  • - The location
  • In such a small space, we try to minimise the installation footprint and get the appliance as close to the walls as possible. Note, that this must be done within the safety distance required by the regulations (the distance between the outer wall of the flue and any flammable elements on the floor, wall or ceiling):
  • - With THERMINOX insulated flue, the safety distance is a minimum of 8 cm.
  • - With a single-wall flue (ENAMELLED and 2 mm STEEL), the safety distance is 3 times the diameter of the flue.
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  • However, there are solutions for reducing the safety distance between the single-wall connecting flue (ENAMELLED and 2 mm STEEL) and the combustible wall:
  • - The DESIGN'UP ventilated cladding from Cheminées Poujoulat reduces this safety distance from the wall to 1 times the diameter of the flue - a considerable saving in this type of space - while customising the heating installation.
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- If the nearest wall is not made of non-combustible material (such as M0 or A1 rated plasterboard), the wall protection plate is another option. This is positioned at the rear of the appliance and acts as a « fireproof » barrier between the installation and the wall.

  • - Energy performance
  • The energy efficiency of a heating system depends on 3 factors, including the quality of the flue and its installation. So it's important not to overlook this factor. An insulated flue is always more efficient than a single-wall flue (it helps the temperature rise in the flue and ensures a regular draught), and is immediately synonymous with greater comfort for the user, as well as energy savings in the more or less long term.
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  • - Aesthetics
  • The choice of flue can be guided by a particular aesthetic requirement, by a colour or by specific finishing accessories. THERMINOX and EFFICIENCE flues, available in stainless steel and matt black (and copper for THERMINOX),also offer painted versions (colours to be selected from the RAL colour chart), which offers an almost infinite palette of creation to interior decorators. 

To go even further, these two ranges, THERMINOX and EFFICIENCE, have collars that can be painted (colours to be selected from the RAL colour chart), either to match the painted flue or to provide an original colour variation.

  • 4. What diameter flue should you use?
  • The diameter of the flue is determined by the diameter of the appliance's smoke outlet. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations (refer to the instructions supplied with the appliance). And remember that from the appliance to the roof outlet, it is forbidden to reduce the diameter of the flue.
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  • 5. Can I customise my flue in a tiny house?
  • Absolutely! As in a traditional home, a wood-burning stove installation in a tiny house can be customised. In addition to decorative wall finishing plates, wall protection plates and floor protection plates, here are the different options available in the Cheminées Poujoulat catalogue for each type of flues:
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  • For single-wall, ENAMELLED or 2 mm STEEL flues:
  • - DESIGN'UP ventilated cladding.
  • - Straight finishing element to ensure the junction between the enamelled connection and the THERMINOX insulated flue.
  • For the THERMINOX insulated double-wall flue:
  • - Flue available in 3 standard stainless steel, black and copper versions, and customised on request in any RAL colour.
  • - Painted locking bands.
  • - DÉCO'START, the aesthetic junction between the THERMINOX flue and the appliance nozzle... if the stove connection has been made in THERMINOX.
  • - DÉCO+, the ceiling finish.
  • For EFFICIENCE triple-wall insulated flue:
  • - Flue available in standard stainless steel and black, and customised on request in any RAL colour.
  • - Painted locking bands.
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  • 6. Should the flue be removable?
  • First, let's talk about the height of the flue. As a general rule, to get a good natural draught from a chimney, the flue should be at least 3 m to 4 m high. Note that the taller the flue, the stronger the draught, provided, of course, that you have suitable air inlets.

If the tiny house is going to travel and pass under bridges, you will need to ensure that the maximum height does not exceed 4.30 metres in France. If necessary, the terminal must be completely or partially removable. A plug can be placed in the hole to ensure a airtight seal until the flue is re-assembled.

Another criteria to take into account when choosing the location for the wood-burning appliance and its flue is the maximum width of the tiny house. It must not exceed 2.55 metres to be able to travel on the road without special authorisation from the prefecture.

  • In this context, three options are possible:
  • - The flue passes across the ceiling to exit at the roof, which has no impact on the width of the tiny,
  • - The flue passes through one of the gables at the front or rear of the tiny, which has no impact on the width,
  • - The flue exits on one of the fronts beyond the 2.55 metres, so it will have to be removed when travelling on the road to avoid exceeding the maximum authorised width.
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THERMINOX, the flue that's as easy to install as it is to remove.

The THERMINOX range of double-wall insulated flues is very easy to install and remove. The straight or angled elements can be fitted together through 360°, and the assembly locking band ensure stability and rigidity.

  • 7. Should the rule of exceeding the ridge be respected in a tiny house? 
  • Yes, the rule of exceeding the ridge also applies to the roof outlet of a tiny house, this is one of the conditions for the unit to function properly. To avoid any disturbance, it is essential that the outlet is at least 40 cm above the ridge of the tiny house or the highest element within a radius of 8 metres. Tall trees within this 8 metre radius could create an overpressure zone and impair the fire's operation.

  • 8. What are the rules for cleaning the chimney in a tiny house? 
  • For cleaning, maintenance and checking the heating system, the rules are the same as those for a stove installed in a traditional house. 
  • The appliance must be cleaned after each use and the smoke exhaust pipe swept at least once a year, during which time the entire installation must be checked.These obligations and recommendations are designed to ensure that you benefit from a reliable and safe installation over the long term, with optimum energy efficiency and, therefore, an energy-efficient system.
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  • 9. Is it possible to have a pellet stove in a tiny house?
  • Yes, it is possible to install a pellet stove in a tiny house. While it is popular for its ease of use (automatic ignition, programming, adjustable temperature, easy-to-transport and ready-to-use fuel), however, pellet stoves need electricity to operate. If the « mobile home » is capable of supplying the appliance with electricity without interruption, then yes, the pellet stove can be considered. There are several possible options:
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  • In the case of a complete installation:
  • - If the pellet appliance is airtight, the system to be selected is PGI (concentric flue).
  • - If the pellet appliance is not airtight, the system to be selected is THERMINOX.
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  • In the case of a connection: 
  • - If the pellet appliance is not airtight, the connection flue to be used is ENAMELLED flue pipe for pellet stove.
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  • 10. What are the guarantees on chimney flues installed in a tiny house?

As you have seen, the rules for installing, using and maintaining a wood-burning stove in a tiny house are identical to those for a stove installed in a traditional house. The same guarantees therefore apply to the evacuation of combustion products.