So you think you’d like a wood burning stove? You’ve seen the adverts, your friends have one and it’s fabulous…so cosy and cheap! The question is…how easy
is it to choose the right type for your needs? Which style should you buy? What is so special about Biomass and do you need to worry about legislation? Of course you can speak to retailers for advice but when you’re going to choose a stove, it’s better to be armed with as much information as possible so that you don’t feel vulnerable to salesperson’s patter! Read on…educate yourself on the basics and the chances of choosing the best wood burning stove for your needs are much higher!
What is the difference between a wood burning stove and a multi-fuel stove?
As the names would suggest, a wood burning stove is only for wood and a multi fuel stove may be used to burn any number of commercially produced fuels including wood. If you want to burn only wood, then a wood burning stove will do the job more efficiently than a multi-fuel stove.
What about KW rating?
KW rating is the measurement of how much heat a particular stove is capable of generating. To work out your needs in terms of KW rating, you need to measure the size of your room, the calculation is length x width x height and the figure which you come up with is the output you will require in KW. Too much KW and you will waste heat, too little and you will not sufficiently heat the room. We have a handy online calculator for you to measure this easily.
Why do I need a flue liner?
Not all chimneys will require a flue liner but you will need to have this confirmed by a qualified professional. If your chimney is old and the interior has degraded, then it will be deemed unsafe for use and a liner will ensure that you can carry on using it for the foreseeable future.
Where should my stove be placed?
The placement of your stove within your room will depend on its output and upon what your walls are made of. Non combustible walls which are made of brick are not a concern in terms of fire risk and it is fine to install a stove to within a few inches of a wall in this case but in other situations it will be necessary to leave much more clearance than this and again, it is best to consult a professional before the fitting takes place.
Deciding to install a wood burning stove opens up many questions about your home and whether or not it is suitable; the good news is that most homes are suitable though some may require the installation of a flue or chimney liner. These are not major upheavals and as long as you are sensible about fitting the stove well and take your time deciding which stove will be the most efficient, you will be reaping the benefits of naturally sourced heat with very little upheaval.
