How to choose the best room heater stove for you!

1. Would you like a Freestanding or Inset stove?

A common myth is an insert stove doesn’t give out as much heat as a Freestanding stove. If both stoves are rated at the same KW then both give the same heat when fitted by a qualified installer. They do however heat your room in different ways. The Inset stove uses convection technology whereas the Freestanding stove uses radiant heat. So go for whichever one suits your room best.

2.What size is your room? How would you rate the insulation? How many external walls and windows?

The bigger the room, the bigger the stove required.

A high level of insulation will allow you to choose a smaller stove. A room with a lot of external walls and windows will require a bigger stove.

3. What are the most important things to look for when choosing a brand and model of a stove? Certified Efficiency is very important. The higher this is, the less fuel you will burn. A high efficiency is also an indicator of quality. Stove weight is also important as it indicates a volume of raw materials used. Warranty length and what it covers.

4. What fuel should I burn?

Dried timber with a moisture content under 20% is the best fuel for any stove. If you purchase the correct wood and store it correctly, it is easily the cheapest and best form of fuel. It is also the cleanest fuel and won’t damage your stove. Smokeless coal and wet turf are not suitable for your stove; while it will burn them and give you heat, they will burn out your stove parts quickly costing you more money each year. Peat Briquettes will not do any damage to your stove but are the most expensive fuel to use. We recommend Cotter Brothers Wood Logs in Abbeyfeale for the highest quality timber at great prices.

5. So I need to Reline my chimney?

Relining your chimney with a stainless steel flexible liner is highly advisable. If your chimney pots are in good condition, it is not compulsory to install a liner. However, from both a safety aspect and fuel usage perspective, we would advise you should. The liner will create a new chimney within your clay pot chimney, therefore protecting your clay pots from cracking. Secondly, as you reduce the volume of a chimney to be heated, your stove will use less fuel starting up.

6. Who can advise me individually on all the above?

Our Stoves4U staff are available 7 days a week to advise you on your exact needs. Call into us Monday to Saturday 9- 5.30 and Sunday 2- 5pm.