Wood Stove Project

A country home is not complete without a wood burning stove! In Chile these stoves are very common and relatively cheap to purchase. The stove we chose came pre-fitted with the copper piping in the combustion chamber to heat water. Below is the plumbing diagram:-

1. Security expansion Valve
2. Hot water exit
3. 150 litre tank
4. Chimney
5. Hot water flow into tank
6. Pre heated return
7. Cold water feed
8. Copper 'Serpentin'
9. Wood Stove


The water tank (point B) should be 50cm above the stove hot water exit (point A) for good circulation.

Given this requirement I positioned the stove next to an exterior wall with easy short access to the expansion tank. An unused kitchen doorway was filled-in to provide a suitable space. I constructed a simple stand to support the tank at the correct height. Then fitted the pipework and plumbed in the hot and cold feeds. Insulating foam was wrapped around the heating loop to and from the stove.

I fitted a 'T' connector and valve in order to drain the system if necessary.

The system was filled and tested for leaks. In takes around 2hrs to heat a tank full of piping hot water - enough for several showers! Once I was satisfied with the functionality of the system, the tank was fully enclosed to protect it and be more visually acceptable :-)

All that is left to do now is to stain the wood enclosure to match the rest of the house.