Jøtul has the worlds biggest and most experienced network of dealers. They can guide you through the process, from when you decide to buy a new fireplace until a new Jøtul wood stove is ready to use in your home. But before you visit the dealers, you need to consider a couple of things.
Talking to professionals from our network of dealers early on, can save you both time and money. They can give you useful advice that are fit for your needs, your living situation and of course, your budget.
Below you find some issues that you should think through or investigate before you start the process of buying a new fireplace. They are relevant either you go to Jøtul's network of dealers or if you want to do most of the work yourself.
In order to have a positive experience from your fireplace, it is very important that the size is right for your living area and heating needs. If the fireplace is too big, you will constantly be using it on low effect and end up with soot on the glass and in your chimney. If the wood stove is too small, it will be overloaded and its lifetime will be reduced.
The dealer needs information about living area and type of insulation in your home in order to give you good advice. Normally, the need for heating in Norwegian homes is about 60 to 70 watts per square meter, but this can be reduced or increased by type of insulation, the number of windows, ceiling height and so on.
In order to function properly, the fireplace needs air. The chimney pulls air through the fireplace, but if your house is very sealed and insulated, or if mechanical ventilation is fighting the natural draught in the chimney, you can experience problems with the function of the fireplace. The recommended solution is to connect so-called outside air to the fireplace.
If you live in a house with new and tight insulation or have mechanical ventialtion, it is important that you consider this when you plan the installation of your fireplace
Old and draughty houses with poor insulation needs considerably more heating than houses with proper insulation and triple glazed windows. The scope of the heat loss in your home, is something that you know the best, but if you reside in a low energy house or a newer house, it is important to choose a fireplace that works well on low effect. Jøtul F 160 and F 260 series are great examples of these types of wood stoves – they burn optimally even at 3kW.
Most problems with fireplaces stem from the chimney being incorrectly dimensioned or not working properly. In order for a fireplace to work optimally, a chimney with an internal diameter that is bigger than the flue outlet on the fireplace should be attached. In the installation and user guides you find information about the necessary draught for the different products to function optimally.
A rule of thumb is that one meter of chimney creates four Pascal of draught. Few fireplaces can funtion on less than 12 Pascal. Sharp elbows on the flue outlet reduces the draught. If you are unsure about how your chimney works, the Jøtul retailer or the chimney sweep association can help you. You can also get help to rehabilitate your old chimney or alteratively, to install a steel chimney. Steel chimneys are reasonably priced and a satisfactory alternative to the traditional brick chimney.
Different fireplaces have different features. Some are designed to be placed close to flammable material, while others require a fireproof wall in order to be placed close to the wall. A drawing that shows where the fireplace should be placed in relation to the chimney outlet, fireproof wall and furniture will be of great help when you seek advice with the experts. Perhaps also you could set up an exterior fireproof wall. These are quick to set up and only five centimeters thick.
Most of Jøtul's wood stoves and fireplaces can be installed without having to strengthen the floor, but to be on the safe side, you should make an estimation of weight. According to Norwegian standards, each square meter of floor can withstand a load of 150 kg. The weight of a fireplace should be divided on the area covered by the fireplace' area plus 0.6 meter in every direction.
Thus, the weight of a fireplace with a basic area of 0.5 x 0.5 meter is divided on a surface of (0,6+0,5+0,6)m x (0,6+0,5+0,6) m = 2.89 sqm. Accordingly, a fireplace with a basic area of 0.5 x 0.5 meter can, placed freely on a floor, weigh up to 433 kg (2,89 m2 x 150 kg/m2). The fireplaces are often placed against a wall and the weight restricting area is somewhat reduced. Ask for help at a professional dealer if this seems complicated.
In Norway, you can legally install a fireplace or wood stove yourself, In the UK the installation should be carried out by a HETAS registered engineer or via your local building control officer. You can also choose to outsource the installation to a professional installer. Usually you will have to pay for two people for four or five hours. This then includes preparation, transport etc. The installation job at a customer's residence can take as little as two hours or it can take a whole day. This depends on how big the project is and the type of fireplace or wood stove is being installed.
Before a new fireplace can be used, the installation needs approval. Our professional dealers can help you get approval of the installation and send a report til the chimney sweep association with the local authorities. If you choose to do it yourself, you have to contact the chimney sweep association to have them do an inspection and approve the installation before you send the documentation to the local authority. It is also possible to get advice on use, service and maintenance.
Many dealers offer to remove your old fireplace or wood stove and often the old wood stoves are sent back to Jøtul to be melted down and turned into new, modern fireplaces and wood stoves. It can be a good idea to bring a photo of the old wood stove or fireplace when you go to the shop and they will give you a rough estimate of what it will cost to remove the old installation.
If it requires a lot of work and tearing down of brickwork, the cost may increase slightly. You can also get advice on existing regulations, as well as how to proceed in connection with this. You can also remove the old fireplace or wood stove yourself. Remember that the old opening in the chimney must be closed up in the correct way, if it is not to be used for the new fireplace.
