By the fireside
Make this autumn the cosiest yet with a new stove. We answer the must-know questions, share top tips and bring you the latest styles
Make this autumn the cosiest yet at home with a new stove
When the rain is hammering and the winds are howling, there’s nothing more comforting than cuddling up in front of a fire; welcomed by the flickering flames and the crackling of the wood as it becomes embers. The fire has been the heart of the home for centuries, from the grandest mansion to the humblest cottage. While the concept of an open fire may seem like the romantic ideal, in reality it is an expensive and inefficient way to heat your home, with nearly 80 per cent of the warmth being lost up the chimney. Providing the same welcoming aesthetic, a stove offers vastly improved efficiency and sustainability, perfect for keeping you cosy on a cold autumn evening.
5questions to ask before buying your stove
What heat output do I need?
As with radiators, the output of a stove is measured in kilowatts (kw). The output required to heat your room can be found by calculating the volume of the space in cubic metres, then dividing by 14. A small stove provides between 4 and 6kw, a medium offers 7 to 9kw, and a large produces 10 to 15kw.
Do I need a chimney?
Although installation is easier if you have a chimney, it is not essential. This makes a stove a great choice for an open-plan space, as it can be dual-sided or freestanding. You will, however, need a flue – unless you opt for an electric stove or a gas model that doesn’t require one. If you don’t have a chimney, you can fit a twin-wall flue through your roof or wall, to remove the harmful gases; the flue can be boxed in or left exposed. If you’re hoping to use an existing chimney, the installer will need to check its size and suitability.
Are stoves expensive?
Prices tend to be proportional to heat output, but style and technology are key factors. Expect to pay from £300 for a 2kw electric stove; a basic 4kw wood-burning stove starts at £500, while a 3kw gas stove starts at about £750. It is also worth considering fuel costs before purchasing. While an electric stove is cheaper to buy, it is more expensive to run than gas. In terms of solid fuel, coal has a high price tag but a long burn time, while wood varies in price, with seasoned or ready-to-use kiln-dried logs being costlier but much more efficient than green wood.
Can it heat my whole home?
On its own, a stove can heat individual, and possibly adjacent, rooms. However, some designs can be paired with a back boiler to supply wholehouse heating and hot water. Wood pellet boilers are a more sustainable alternative and work automatically, meaning you don’t need to worry about controlling your heating.
Is a stove an eco-friendly way to heat my home?
Wood offers the most sustainable choice, however you must be certain of its production. Logs made from recycled waste wood are popular and readily available. From 2022, all stoves sold must have an efficiency rating of at least 80 per cent (versus the current 60 per cent minimum). The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) has been working with companies to create compliant Ecodesign stoves. ‘Advanced wood-burning stoves, used with quality wood fuel, can play a key role in reducing emissions and improving air quality, while providing a sustainable heating solution for the home,’ says Erica Malkin of the SIA. It’s also worth noting that if you live in a smoke control area there will be extra restrictions; check with your local council for details.
Essential maintenance checklist
When using your stove regularly, give it a weekly check to ensure it is working safely and efficiently:
● Empty the ash pan to prevent a build up of hot ash distorting the grate.
● Make sure the door seals effectively, replacing the rope seal when needed, as this limits airflow, preventing the fuel from burning too fast.
● Clean the baffle plate (at the top of the internal cavity) as if this becomes full it can block the flue.
● Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms; these are essential regardless of the fuel type used.
Which fuel type is best?
WOOD:
● A carbon-neutral fuel.
● The wood must have less than 25 per cent moisture content for a clean burn.
● Fresh ‘green’ wood has been recently felled and needs to dry out before use. The length of drying time will depend on the species of wood, starting at just one year for sycamore.
● Kiln-dried logs – often labelled as ‘ready to burn’ – have been dried so they produce a clean burn and maximum heat output.
● Pellets are compressed forms of woody biomass. They produce less CO2 and are one of the most sustainable options. You will need a pellet basket as just using pellets in the chamber can cause damage since they burn at a higher temperature than logs.
COAL AND MINERAL FUELS:
● These energy-dense, cost-effective fuels offer a high heat output and long burn times.
● They are also the most polluting fuel types. Smokeless varieties are better but still fall short of other options in terms of sustainability.
GAS:
● The tidiest option with no clean-up required.
● Highly convenient, gas offers controllable heat and flames with the flick of a switch.
● There are many highly realistic stove designs that emulate the aesthetic of wood and coal fires.
● Some models do not require a flue system.
● Gas is a non-renewable fossil fuel that does release a small amount of carbon monoxide.
ELECTRIC:
● Although not a conventional stove, there are designs that capture the look and feel without the need for a flue or ventilation system.