What stove should I buy?
This is a question we are asked all the time.
There is so much choice nowadays, with stoves made to suit every style and every budget, you can easily stress yourself out trying to decide! To help you narrow down your choice, here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
WOOD, COAL, OR BOTH?
Do you only want to burn wood, or do you want the option to burn smokeless coal as well? Some stoves are only capable of burning wood, if you want to also burn coal you will need to purchase a multifuel stove.
Please note you cannot burn ordinary household coal in your stove. Not only will it damage your stove, it is potentially very dangerous, as the smoke emitted is highly volatile and once up to temperature can create an explosive flash.
DO I LIVE IN A SMOKE CONTROL AREA?
Many parts of the UK are smoke control areas (the whole of the West Midlands is one such area), where you can't emit smoke from a chimney unless you are burning an authorised fuel or using an exempt appliance. This means you cannot burn wood in a smoke control area unless you are using a stove that has been approved by DEFRA as being sufficiently cleanburning to be exempt from the regulations.
DEFRA is the Government department that regulates this issue, You are likely to get a hefty fine if you are caught breaking the rules!
WHAT SIZE STOVE DO I NEED?
This depends on several factors: How large is the room? Is the property double glazed? Will the stove be your main source of heating or used in conjunction with central heating?
We are more than happy to advise you, either call us on 07968 034344 or email us.
There is so much choice nowadays, with stoves made to suit every style and every budget, you can easily stress yourself out trying to decide! To help you narrow down your choice, here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
WOOD, COAL, OR BOTH?
Do you only want to burn wood, or do you want the option to burn smokeless coal as well? Some stoves are only capable of burning wood, if you want to also burn coal you will need to purchase a multifuel stove.
Please note you cannot burn ordinary household coal in your stove. Not only will it damage your stove, it is potentially very dangerous, as the smoke emitted is highly volatile and once up to temperature can create an explosive flash.
DO I LIVE IN A SMOKE CONTROL AREA?
Many parts of the UK are smoke control areas (the whole of the West Midlands is one such area), where you can't emit smoke from a chimney unless you are burning an authorised fuel or using an exempt appliance. This means you cannot burn wood in a smoke control area unless you are using a stove that has been approved by DEFRA as being sufficiently cleanburning to be exempt from the regulations.
DEFRA is the Government department that regulates this issue, You are likely to get a hefty fine if you are caught breaking the rules!
WHAT SIZE STOVE DO I NEED?
This depends on several factors: How large is the room? Is the property double glazed? Will the stove be your main source of heating or used in conjunction with central heating?
We are more than happy to advise you, either call us on 07968 034344 or email us.
Can I install my own stove?
Yes you can, but this can prove to be more expensive (in more ways than one) than using a fully qualified HETAS installer!
HETAS is the official body recognised by Government to approve solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services, including the registration of competent installers. Any stove installation that is not carried out by a HETAS registered installer MUST be inspected by the local council's Building Regulations Officer. It is a legal requirement to notify your Local Authority of the installation of any new heating system, regardless of fuel type. Failure to do so could leave you liable to prosecution and you could face unlimited fines, Your home insurance may also be invalid if you do not use a HETAS installer.
Then there are the safety issues. Whenever you burn solid fuel, be it wood or coal, carbon monoxide gas is produced. If your stove is not installed correctly, this can leak out into your room. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It can also be lethal.
Don't risk it, only use a registered HETAS installer to fit your stove.
HETAS is the official body recognised by Government to approve solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services, including the registration of competent installers. Any stove installation that is not carried out by a HETAS registered installer MUST be inspected by the local council's Building Regulations Officer. It is a legal requirement to notify your Local Authority of the installation of any new heating system, regardless of fuel type. Failure to do so could leave you liable to prosecution and you could face unlimited fines, Your home insurance may also be invalid if you do not use a HETAS installer.
Then there are the safety issues. Whenever you burn solid fuel, be it wood or coal, carbon monoxide gas is produced. If your stove is not installed correctly, this can leak out into your room. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It can also be lethal.
Don't risk it, only use a registered HETAS installer to fit your stove.
What sort of wood is best to burn?
Both hardwoods and softwoods are fine for stoves as long as they are dry. You want to be burning wood with a water content of below 20%. Denser, harder woods will burn for longer. Avoid at all costs any wood which has been varnished, painted, or treated with chemicals.
