Understanding Stove Fans: A Guide for Wood-Burning Stove Owners

For wood-burning stove owners, maximising the heat output from your stove is essential, especially during colder months. One popular and simple way to enhance your stove’s efficiency is by using a stove fan. If you’re new to stove ownership, here’s everything you need to know about what stove fans do, how to install them, and the types of homes or spaces they are best suited for.

WHAT ARE STOVE FANS FOR?

A stove fan is a small, heat-powered device designed to distribute the warm air generated by your stove more evenly throughout the room. Without a fan, the heat from your stove tends to rise straight up, creating hot spots near the stove and leaving the rest of the room cooler. Stove fans circulate this warm air horizontally, helping to spread heat more efficiently. This means you can enjoy a more even temperature in your home without needing to crank up the fire, saving you fuel in the process.

HOW TO INSTALL A STOVE FAN

Installing a stove fan is incredibly easy. These fans are self-powered, so they don’t require any batteries or electrical cords. They work using the heat from the stove itself, with most models starting to spin automatically once the stove reaches a certain temperature (usually around 50°C/122°F).

TO INSTALL:

1. Place the fan on top of the stove: Make sure it’s in a location where it can get direct heat but not so close to the chimney or flue pipe that it overheats.

2. Ensure proper distance: Leave enough space behind the fan for airflow. Fans work best when they can draw cool air from the back and push warm air forward.

3. Monitor for overheating: Most stove fans are designed to operate safely at high temperatures, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid any potential damage.

WHAT HOMES AND SPACES ARE STOVE FANS BEST SUITED FOR?

Stove fans are especially useful in smaller rooms or open-plan spaces where heat can quickly build up near the stove. They’re also ideal for cabins, cottages, and conservatories where distributing heat more evenly can make a big difference. For homes with large, open spaces, a stove fan may not cover the entire area, but it can still help increase overall warmth in the vicinity of the stove.

Stove fans are an affordable, energy-efficient way to get more out of your wood-burning stove. By installing one, you’ll enjoy better heat distribution, increased comfort, and potentially lower fuel costs, all while keeping your space cosy and warm.

Our showrooms stock a selection of stove fans along with flue thermometers. We also have a host of other accessories to keep stoves well-maintained and functioning at their best such as door ropes, high-temperature paints and slate oil.