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Cosy Stoves

They are heat efficient, attractive and eco friendly. Is now the time to convert to a solid fuel stove, asks Elspeth Pridham?

Article by: Elspeth Pridham
Publish date: 5th January 2010

In this time of rising fuel costs, stoves have never been more popular. Not only do they look good but they are extremely heat efficient too, allowing you to turn down the central heating and, with a wealth of styles and sizes available, there is guaranteed to be one to suit your home.
   Stoves provide the romance of a real fire but are cleaner and more efficient. David Knox at Stovax says, “The advantage of a stove over an open fire is that you save 80% on the amount of fuel you need for the same amount of heat.”
   As a rough guide to the size of stove suitable to your home, 1kW of heat output will comfortably warm 14 cubic metres of space. For even greater fuel efficiency, high output boiler-stoves are capable of whole house heating. This means you can run all your radiators and domestic hot water from your wood or multi-fuel stove.
   In terms of style, black is still the most popular colour, although there has been increased interest in ivory finish stoves. Single doors, with plain glass windows are currently the trend rather than the more ornate double door designs.

Fuel for the flame
Solid fuel stoves run on logs, briquettes, coal or smokeless fuel. Multi-fuel stoves are able to burn a variety of fuels as they incorporate a grate that adjusts to suit the fuel. Wood burning stoves are currently the most popular option as logs are the cheapest form of fuel there is and if you choose a DEFRA approved clean burn stove it can be used even in a smoke-control area. Clean burn technology allows the stove to burn off gases that would otherwise escape up the chimney. This
reduces damaging emissions and the unsightly tarring that can build up on the inside of the glass doors.
   Burning wood is also kinder to our environment as David Knox explains, “Wood, when dry and burned cleanly, emits no more carbon than it absorbed in its lifetime and no more than if it was allowed to rot naturally, making it carbon neutral. However, it does take some carbon to transport, so we recommend sourcing locally wherever possible as logs are imported from as far away as Latvia and
the Balkans.”

Ease of installation
The type of chimney and flue you have usually dictates which type of fireplace or stove you can choose. If you are opening up a disused chimney arrange for it to be swept. The sweep will be able to check for any obstructions and verify whether your chimney is sound. The chimney must be lined and you will also need a fireproof hearth.
   A site visit by a HETAS qualified heating engineer is highly recommended before buying your stove as they will be able to advise on factors such as building regulations and flueing systems. They will also appreciate local idiosyncrasies like prevailing winds and how the chimneys of period properties in the area were constructed. HETAS is the Government’s heating equipment testing and approval scheme. Tel: 0845 634 5626 or visit www.hetas.co.uk

Before you buy
David Knox of Stovax suggests five key points to consider before installing a solid fuel stove:

• Decide on the style of stove you prefer including the colour and size. It is important not to get too large a stove for the room, 4.9kW is fine for the average lounge.

• Consider your budget, stoves range from £300 to £5,000. And don’t forget you will also need to pay
for installation

• Find out if you live in a smoke control area by visiting www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk and then ask your retailer for advice on which fuels and stoves will be suitable.

• Recognise your chimney type, have it swept and ask advice from your sweep and your stove supplier as to what preparation is required.

• If choosing a wood burning stove make sure you have easy access to logs. This makes a difference not only to how much you pay for your fuel but also its footprint.