- What output should my stove be?
- Why should I use a stove instead of an open fire?
- Are stoves easy to use?
- Can I burn my stove safely with the doors open?
- What is a HETAS certificate and why do I need one?
- Is planning permission required?
- Can I install a woodburning or multifuel stove myself?
- What is the difference between a multifuel stove and woodburner?
- Why then choose a woodburner and not a multifuel stove?
- Cast or steel?
- Why line my chimney?
- What output should my stove be?
The output on a stove is usually calculated in Kilo Watts. The general method to calculate the heat requirement for your room is the Height x Width x Depth of your room divided by 10 when working in metres, if you have worked out these measurements in feet then divide by 500. This is only a ball park figure and many other factors would need to be taken into account. It is however important that the correct output fire is purchased as too big a fire will mean you will slumber the stove causing chimney tar. Too small a fire means you will be cold and unhappy.
- Why should I use a stove instead of an open fire?
Approximately 70% of your heat from an open fire will escape up the chimney whereas a stove will keep the heat within the fire box allowing it to disperse to your room thus being far more economical and effective.
- Are stoves easy to use?
As with any new addition to the home it is only a matter of becoming familiar and habitual. A stove is very much like a living being and its “moods” will fluctuate according to the weather conditions and types of fuel. However, in comparison to an open fire, it is a doddle. With the advancement of technology Euroheat stoves even have the ability to maintain the room temperature via a remote control!
- Can I burn my stove safely with the doors open?
It certainly will not cause damage to the stove, but the efficiency of the stove drops considerably. The fire chamber/box is rapidly being cooled down so the stove does not retain its heat effectively. In actual fact the doors being open give a lesser picture of dancing flames then one with the door closed. With regards to safety, it goes without saying that you should be aware of spitting wood and the potential of a log rolling out.
- What is a HETAS certificate and why do I need one?
It is now a requirement that any connection of a solid fuel appliance should be certified by a HETAS engineer, as Gas Safe do with gas. This ensures that the engineer working on site is trained and experienced in installing your stove, and that there is no potential danger to you or your family. The company's work is regularly inspected by HETAS. Upon completion of the works you are awarded a certificate and safety plate detailing the works carried out. This certificate and plate could be requested by your local planning inspector, should they feel that planning permission was required.
- Is planning permission required?
Every circumstance is different; in general if a chimney exists it is not the case. However it is the responsibility of the client to contact their local planning office to establish if planning permission is required.
- Can I install a woodburning or multifuel stove myself?
We don't wholly recommend this but if you do decide to embark on this yourself it is best to purchase your flue components from a retailer who can provide expert advice, thus ensuring that the correct components are used and installed safely. However we would strongly recommend that you do not install for gain (contract to a member of public) unless you are certificated to do so.
- What is the difference between a multifuel stove and woodburner?
In the main, the difference is due to the air flows within the stove. A multifuel stove which will burn either seasoned wood or smokeless fuel will have a larger grate. This is because the smokeless fuel (anthracite) requires a great deal of under air. Woodburning stoves will have smaller grates or sometimes no grate at all, as wood burns from the top down.
- Why choose a woodburner and not a multifuel stove?
Many of the contemporary looking stoves are woodburners as many of these have been imported from countries which have wood as their primary source of stove fuel i.e. Scandinavia and Denmark, and are less likely to have the supplies of anthracites. The stoves tend to stand taller and with their unique appearance and optional ceramic and soapstone tiles become a focal point in your room. Ultimately it comes down to your choice of stove, what you like the look of and what will suit the space available.
- Cast or steel?
Either, in short. A cast stove will take longer to heat up than a steel stove but will retain its heat longer, therefore you need to take into account what is important in your lifestyle. If you require immediate heat then perhaps a steel stove should be given more consideration. Either way, if misused both materials can be damaged - in the case of cast the castings will crack and with steel you have potential for warping. It is essential that the stove is lit and used according to manufacturer's recommendation.
- Why line my chimney?
The majority of the time the chimney needs lining for a number of reasons, not just one. Firstly, many chimneys have clay liners. Clay is not the best material for retaining the heat and subsequently we find that a dewing effect occurs within the liners, causing black sludgy water to run back towards the stove and inevitably seeping out through the register plate onto the stove top. It is essential that the chimney stays nice and warm when the stove is running. Secondly, the size of the liners or chimney are often a lot bigger then the outlet on the top of the chosen stove. The manufacturers have calculated a ratio of fire box size/air intake/kw output to the size of the diameter of the collar and flue required. If the flue is too big the likelihood is that the output of the stove to room will be decreased, the fire box will cool and your glass will become blackened. Thirdly, your chimney pots or stack could be old and/or leaking and therefore may require a liner as well as further attention. The chimney is the engine of your stove. If this is not right then your stove will not work correctly.
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