Ask an Expert: How to Choose and Install a Wood-burning Stove
Good-looking and efficient, wood-burners are a smart choice for almost any home, but what do you need to know before you splash your cash?
There are plenty of reasons to lust after a wood-burning stove, but before you part with your pennies, be sure your final decision is backed by plenty of research. Start here with this expert, practical guide, which includes everything from the dos and don’ts of buying a wood-burner to the best woods to burn, the importance of an installation survey, and why it’s crucial to heed Building Regulations.
Professional advice from
Oliver Neal of Hot Box Stoves
Mark Smart of Chesney’s
Jon McGladdery of Direct Stoves
Professional advice from
Oliver Neal of Hot Box Stoves
Mark Smart of Chesney’s
Jon McGladdery of Direct Stoves
What kind of wood should I burn?
A ready supply of wood is a must for a wood-burning stove. The general rule of thumb is that the drier the wood, the better it will burn. ‘Some of the best woods to burn are ash, hawthorn, apple and wild cherry due to their low water content and how easily they can be split with an axe,’ explains Mark Smart of Chesney’s.
‘Wood should be burned when the moisture content is below 25%, or “air dry”. You can tell a log is dry if the bark comes away easily in the hand and the wood has splits across the grain. Ideally, logs purchased should be no more than 10cm thick,’ he adds. ‘Any that are bigger will need to be split again to ensure they burn properly.’
Bear in mind that you’ll need plenty of space to store your logs. Not only will the area need to be dry, but easily accessible for deliveries, too.
A ready supply of wood is a must for a wood-burning stove. The general rule of thumb is that the drier the wood, the better it will burn. ‘Some of the best woods to burn are ash, hawthorn, apple and wild cherry due to their low water content and how easily they can be split with an axe,’ explains Mark Smart of Chesney’s.
‘Wood should be burned when the moisture content is below 25%, or “air dry”. You can tell a log is dry if the bark comes away easily in the hand and the wood has splits across the grain. Ideally, logs purchased should be no more than 10cm thick,’ he adds. ‘Any that are bigger will need to be split again to ensure they burn properly.’
Bear in mind that you’ll need plenty of space to store your logs. Not only will the area need to be dry, but easily accessible for deliveries, too.
What if I live in a Smoke Control Area?
If you live in a Smoke Control Area, look for a stove that’s been approved by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). ‘There are many of these available and most manufacturers offer several in their range,’ says Neal. ‘Essentially, the appliance has been altered so more air is provided for the combustion process, so it burns hotter and consequently has fewer emissions.’
You can verify the exempt status of the stove by either asking the manufacturer, logging on to the DEFRA website or checking with HETAS, the official approval body for solid-fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. Alternatively, choose a multi-fuel stove for burning smokeless fuels.
If you live in a Smoke Control Area, look for a stove that’s been approved by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). ‘There are many of these available and most manufacturers offer several in their range,’ says Neal. ‘Essentially, the appliance has been altered so more air is provided for the combustion process, so it burns hotter and consequently has fewer emissions.’
You can verify the exempt status of the stove by either asking the manufacturer, logging on to the DEFRA website or checking with HETAS, the official approval body for solid-fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. Alternatively, choose a multi-fuel stove for burning smokeless fuels.
How much maintenance does a stove need?
A wood-burning stove will require annual servicing and inspection of consumable components. Experts also recommend you have your chimney swept annually.
Some companies will offer customers a service package once their stove has been installed, including sweeping the flue, cleaning out the stove, checking the firebricks inside the stove, changing any rope seals to the door and checking the flue and spigot connections. Components are installed as necessary for an additional cost.
A wood-burning stove will require annual servicing and inspection of consumable components. Experts also recommend you have your chimney swept annually.
Some companies will offer customers a service package once their stove has been installed, including sweeping the flue, cleaning out the stove, checking the firebricks inside the stove, changing any rope seals to the door and checking the flue and spigot connections. Components are installed as necessary for an additional cost.
How can I ensure safety and efficiency?
Make sure you buy a stove with the CE mark, so you’re assured it meets the right European safety and efficiency standards for stoves in the UK.
‘Since 2013, all stoves sold in the UK must have a metal plate attached bearing a CE mark and number,’ explains Jon McGladdery of Direct Stoves. ‘This is your guarantee that the stove has passed a series of tests, including operation safety, construction quality, heat output, and other factors that influence its efficiency and safety. Most safety problems with stoves are due to using incorrect fuel. We’ve had customers who’ve complained about noxious smells and then found they’ve been burning waste and pallets instead of dried, seasoned wood.’
Make sure you buy a stove with the CE mark, so you’re assured it meets the right European safety and efficiency standards for stoves in the UK.
‘Since 2013, all stoves sold in the UK must have a metal plate attached bearing a CE mark and number,’ explains Jon McGladdery of Direct Stoves. ‘This is your guarantee that the stove has passed a series of tests, including operation safety, construction quality, heat output, and other factors that influence its efficiency and safety. Most safety problems with stoves are due to using incorrect fuel. We’ve had customers who’ve complained about noxious smells and then found they’ve been burning waste and pallets instead of dried, seasoned wood.’
Who should install my stove?
Experts recommend having your stove installed by a HETAS-registered installer, as you will be given a HETAS Certificate of Compliance (a Building Regulation Compliance Certificate) on the completion of installation work.
‘This “self certification” by competent registered installers takes the place of a Local Authority Building Notice, which could cost you a significant amount of money; this can vary by region and the cost of the work being carried out,’ explains McGladdery. ‘The information can be required to validate household insurance and will be required by solicitors in any home-selling process. Failure to notify the Local Authority can be an offence resulting in enforcement action being taken against the householders and/or the installer. Fines can now be unlimited for such offences,’ he adds.
‘We do have customers trying to do a DIY fitting and then getting into trouble,’ McGladdery continues. ‘Personally, I can’t understand it. Can you imagine anyone self-fitting a gas boiler?’
Experts recommend having your stove installed by a HETAS-registered installer, as you will be given a HETAS Certificate of Compliance (a Building Regulation Compliance Certificate) on the completion of installation work.
‘This “self certification” by competent registered installers takes the place of a Local Authority Building Notice, which could cost you a significant amount of money; this can vary by region and the cost of the work being carried out,’ explains McGladdery. ‘The information can be required to validate household insurance and will be required by solicitors in any home-selling process. Failure to notify the Local Authority can be an offence resulting in enforcement action being taken against the householders and/or the installer. Fines can now be unlimited for such offences,’ he adds.
‘We do have customers trying to do a DIY fitting and then getting into trouble,’ McGladdery continues. ‘Personally, I can’t understand it. Can you imagine anyone self-fitting a gas boiler?’
What’s the key to choosing the perfect stove?
An important part of picking the right stove for your home is getting the right size and heat output. Many retailers have an online website calculator to help you figure it out.
‘Our website stove calculator uses the formula height x width x length of room to work out the volume to be heated,’ explains McGladdery. ‘Volume is then divided by a number related to the insulation value of the property. We use 12 for poor insulation, 15 for average insulation and 18 for very well-insulated properties. A well-insulated room of 2.4m x 4.5m x 6.0m would need a stove of only 3.6kW heat output. However, if poorly insulated, the same room would need 5.4kW of heat output.’
Don’t buy a stove based on this calculation alone, though, as there are a number of other factors to consider. It’s therefore advisable to get an approved installer to carry out a survey before buying.
An important part of picking the right stove for your home is getting the right size and heat output. Many retailers have an online website calculator to help you figure it out.
‘Our website stove calculator uses the formula height x width x length of room to work out the volume to be heated,’ explains McGladdery. ‘Volume is then divided by a number related to the insulation value of the property. We use 12 for poor insulation, 15 for average insulation and 18 for very well-insulated properties. A well-insulated room of 2.4m x 4.5m x 6.0m would need a stove of only 3.6kW heat output. However, if poorly insulated, the same room would need 5.4kW of heat output.’
Don’t buy a stove based on this calculation alone, though, as there are a number of other factors to consider. It’s therefore advisable to get an approved installer to carry out a survey before buying.
Why should I commission an installation survey?
The old adage ‘measure twice, cut once’ is appropriate in stove fitting, argues McGladdery. ‘Most websites have a stove calculator, but factors such as the room’s airflow and the insulation level on the building may mean you get the wrong stove and it could be either too cold or too hot, neither of which is ideal with a big purchase like this.
‘Your surveyor will also know exactly which incidentals you’ll need,’ he continues. ‘Is the hearth suitable? Is the chimney suitable? How much twin-wall will you need for the flue? Is it better to run the twin-wall inside or outside the property? A stove survey will keep everything safe and legal, and your HETAS fitter will be fully conversant with all the appropriate regulations.’
The old adage ‘measure twice, cut once’ is appropriate in stove fitting, argues McGladdery. ‘Most websites have a stove calculator, but factors such as the room’s airflow and the insulation level on the building may mean you get the wrong stove and it could be either too cold or too hot, neither of which is ideal with a big purchase like this.
‘Your surveyor will also know exactly which incidentals you’ll need,’ he continues. ‘Is the hearth suitable? Is the chimney suitable? How much twin-wall will you need for the flue? Is it better to run the twin-wall inside or outside the property? A stove survey will keep everything safe and legal, and your HETAS fitter will be fully conversant with all the appropriate regulations.’
Do stoves have to meet Building Regulations?
Yes. ‘Regulations cover things such as carbon monoxide detectors, the size of the hearth and flue, the distance between the stove and combustible items, chimney inspections prior to fitting and smoke tests to check chimneys after fitting to make sure there are no gas leaks,’ explains McGladdery. You can read the full paper on Building Regulations relating to stoves on the Planning Portal.
Discover the Building Regulations issues you need to consider when creating an open-plan space
Yes. ‘Regulations cover things such as carbon monoxide detectors, the size of the hearth and flue, the distance between the stove and combustible items, chimney inspections prior to fitting and smoke tests to check chimneys after fitting to make sure there are no gas leaks,’ explains McGladdery. You can read the full paper on Building Regulations relating to stoves on the Planning Portal.
Discover the Building Regulations issues you need to consider when creating an open-plan space
How can I make the stove extra safe?
If you have small children or pets, McGladdery suggests making sure you use a fireguard, because the stove casing and glass will be in excess of 100ºC when it’s in use. ‘It’s not only for personal safety for the child,’ he explains, ‘they might put something down on top of the stove that could set on fire.’
TELL US…
Do you have any wood-burning stove tips to share? Let us know in the Comments below.
If you have small children or pets, McGladdery suggests making sure you use a fireguard, because the stove casing and glass will be in excess of 100ºC when it’s in use. ‘It’s not only for personal safety for the child,’ he explains, ‘they might put something down on top of the stove that could set on fire.’
TELL US…
Do you have any wood-burning stove tips to share? Let us know in the Comments below.
Why not?! Wood-burners not only look fabulous, they have plenty of practical benefits, too. ‘They provide a great deal of heat for relatively little cost, and are highly efficient in comparison to open fires,’ says Oliver Neal of Hot Box Stoves. ‘Plus, they will provide heat even if there’s a break in the power supply.’
For the most part, wood-burning stoves are environmentally friendly. However, make sure your wood supplier is committed to replanting the trees harvested and source locally to reduce your carbon footprint.
Get more ideas for wood-burning stoves