KAWMET W16 (16.3 kW) ECO Fireplace Insert
KAWMET W16 (16.3 kW) ECO is a wood-burning fireplace insert from the Polish foundry KAWMET with a nominal output of 16.3 kW, sized for rooms of up to 163 m² (up to 407 m³). A flat front pane shows the firebed head-on. Thermal efficiency is 80.4 %, energy class A.
The construction weighing 200 kg is cast iron throughout — a material chosen for durability, since it is what sits in direct contact with the embers. Cast iron heats up more slowly than steel, but the difference pays off in the evening: once the last load has burnt through, the body keeps radiating stored heat for hours. Fins on the outer walls and a vermiculite baffle above the firebed carry into the room the energy that would otherwise go up the flue.
Key features — W16
- Nominal output 16.3 kW — heats up to 163 m² (407 m³)
- Thermal efficiency 80.4 %, energy class A
- Secondary combustion — secondary air burns off gases that would otherwise escape up the flue
- Clean glass system — air guided along the pane limits soot build-up
- Damper for regulating the chimney draught
- Back plate protecting the rear of the body from burning through
- Decorative log guard keeping the wood in place
- Air supply adjusted through the ash pan
- Meets Ecodesign requirements
- Provision for an external combustion air supply
- Flue outlet top, flue pipe Ø200 mm; door opens to the left
- Maximum log length 700 mm
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 876 × 518 × 500 mm, weight 200 kg
- Material: cast iron. Made in Poland — 5-year warranty
The KAWMET Standard ECO range and Ecodesign requirements
The KAWMET Standard ECO inserts were developed to meet the EU Ecodesign requirements for solid fuel heating appliances. In practice this means a seasonal efficiency above 65 % and limits on particulate, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. An insert that fails to meet these standards can no longer be legally placed on the market — and many Polish municipalities additionally enforce clean-air resolutions requiring older appliances to be replaced.
The model reaches these figures thanks to its secondary combustion system: secondary air fed above the firebed burns off gases that escaped up the flue in older designs. The effect is twofold — lower emissions and more heat from the same amount of wood.
Is 16.3 kW enough to heat my house?
The model is rated for roughly 163 m² with standard insulation and a ceiling height of 2.5–2.7 m. In a poorly insulated building, one with large glazed areas or a higher ceiling, the real figure will be lower. Oversizing is harmful too, however: for most of the season the appliance then runs on a low flame, which soots up the glass and the flue faster.
Does it need an external air supply?
The model is designed for it, and in an airtight building with mechanical ventilation or heat recovery it is the recommended solution — without its own air supply, ventilation can reverse the flue draught. In an older building with natural ventilation an external air supply is not essential, but it usually makes combustion more stable. The connection parts (inlet, orifice, pipe) are ordered separately — they are not part of the set.
What surround and chimney does the insert require?
The insert connects to a flue of Ø200 mm, with the outlet at the top. The body measures 876 × 518 × 500 mm (W × H × D) and weighs 200 kg — the surround is designed with allowance for expansion and convection ducts, and the floor beneath the fireplace has to carry that weight. Required clearances to combustible materials and the ventilation rules for the surround are given in the manufacturer's manual, available in the documents section on this page.
What fuel should be used?
The fuel is seasoned hardwood with a moisture content of up to 20 %. The maximum log length is 700 mm. Wet wood gives noticeably less heat, smokes up the glass and speeds up soot deposits in the flue. Chipboard, painted or impregnated timber and waste must not be burnt — they shorten the life of the cast iron and void the warranty.
KAWMET products carry a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. Your nearest representative will confirm availability and purchase terms.
