Zone Heating; Combustion Cycles - Drolet Fox Small Owner's Manual

3.2.4 Using Fire Starters
Commercial fire starters can be used instead of a newspaper. Always follow the instructions on
the packaging before use.
DO NOT USE CHEMICALS OR FLUID TO START THE FIRE.
NEVER USE GEL STARTER IF THERE ARE HOT EMBERS INSIDE THE FIREBOX. THE
BOTTLE OF GEL WILL CATCH ON FIRE.
3.3

Zone Heating

This stove is a space heater, which means it is intended to heat the area it is installed in, as well
as spaces that connect to that area, although to a lower temperature. This is called zone heating
and it is an increasingly popular way to heat homes or spaces within homes.
Zone heating can be used to supplement another heating system by heating a particular space
within a home, such as a basement, a family room or an addition that lacks another heat source.
Houses of moderate size and relatively new construction can be heated with a properly sized
and located wood stove. Whole house zone heating works best when the stove is in the part of
the house where the family spends most of its time. This is normally the main living area where
the kitchen, dining and living rooms are located.
Locating the stove in this area will give the maximum benefit of the heat it produces and will
achieve the highest possible heating efficiency and comfort. The space where the most time is
spent will be warmest, while bedrooms and basement (if there is one) will stay cooler. In this
way, less wood is burnt than with other forms of heating.
Although the stove may be able to heat the main living areas of the house to an adequate
temperature, it is strongly recommended to also have a conventional oil, gas or electric heating
system to provide backup heating.
The success of zone heating will depend on several factors, including the correct sizing and
location of the stove, the size, layout and age of your home and your climate zone. Three-season
vacation homes can usually be heated with smaller stoves than houses that are heated all winter.
3.4

Combustion Cycles

Wood heating with a space heater is very different than other forms of heating. There will be
temperature variations in different parts of the house and there will be temperature variations
throughout day and night. This is normal, and for experienced wood burners these are advantages
of zone heating wood burning.
Wood heaters don't have a steady heat output. It is normal for the temperature to rise after
a new load of wood is ignited and for its temperature to gradually decrease throughout the
burning cycle. This increasing and decreasing temperature can be matched with the household
routines. For example, the temperature in the area can be cooler when the household is active,
and it can be warmer when it is inactive.
Wood burns best in cycles. A cycle starts when a new load of wood is ignited by hot coals and
Wood Stove - Owener's Manual Page 13