Burning fire in the fireplace

The wood stove – the safest heating system in the world

Imagine it’s winter. Temperatures drop to -10 degrees and a white layer of frost settles on the ground, the plants and the rooftops. Most people hardly notice any of it inside their homes. Our modern heating systems make sure our houses and apartments stay comfortably warm at all times.

Warmth – and what if it suddenly disappeared

What if warmth were suddenly gone? Imagine there’s no more oil available. Or the gas supply is literally cut off — maybe because of a natural disaster or geopolitical tensions. And what about a large-scale power outage? In times of extreme global energy demand, such a scenario isn’t entirely unlikely.

The basic need to “secure warmth” is one of humanity’s oldest instincts — yet most people are hardly aware of it. In our modern world, warmth always seems to be there, at least on the surface.

There’s no need to panic — the current energy situation is more stable than it has been in a long time. Still, thinking about such possibilities is exactly what helps us prepare for times when problems may eventually arise.

So, how can we make sure this essential human need — warmth — is secured for the long term?

When a fire can do more than just create a cozy atmosphere

For many, the answer is simple: the classic wood fire. What once helped early humans survive the cold — a simple wood-burning fire — still works perfectly well today.

Heating with a tiled stove, fireplace or masonry heater offers more than just comfort and atmosphere. It also provides something incredibly important: security.

For many people, especially in rural areas, wood as a fuel source is right outside their door. And often, it’s neighbors, friends or even family who produce and supply it.

Kachelofen mit Rohstahl
BRUNNER flat tiled stove HKD 2.2 SK | Installation by: Ofendesign Rogmans
BRUNNER tiled stove flat HKD 2.2 SK | Implementation: Ofendesign Rogmans

Especially in regions without major gas or oil reserves, such as Central Europe, wood is the one resource that never runs out. Even in the toughest times, the forest has always been a reliable source of energy.

The crackling wood fire — which we love so much for its visual beauty — is also the safest and most dependable of all energy sources. And when operated correctly and built in compliance with BImSchV 2 standards, it’s also one of the most environmentally friendly.

Diagram of a water-bearing fireplace for water heating

How wood connects to underfloor heating

One of the most innovative solutions is the water-bearing wood-burning system. In this setup, a tiled stove or fireplace not only provides radiant heat but also generates hot water that’s fed into the home’s heating system — supplying radiators, underfloor heating and domestic hot water modules. Different performance levels and designs are available through professional stove builders.

Safe even during a power outage

BRUNNER refers to its charging inverter as the NV 500. In combination with a standard car battery, this component ensures sufficient power for more than 24 hours to keep the boiler and heating circuit pump running — automatically, if the power grid goes down. It’s reassuring to know that your heating keeps working even when everything else stops.

Conclusion

Wood for your fire is always available and reliable. With a water-bearing fireplace or stove, you can support your heating system. And with a charging inverter, your power supply remains secure even during an outage.

Expert advice

For both existing and newly built stove systems, the BImSchV regulations are observed. This ordinance defines the requirements a fireplace or stove must meet to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Portrait of Klaus, Head of Customer Service
Klaus Leihkamm, Head of Craftsman Support & Customer Service

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