Choosing Your Stove

In England and Wales, there are only two routes to legally install a domestic solid fuel, wood or biomass burning appliance.

You can either:

• Use a registered installer who can self certify that the work he does complies with the relevant Building Regulations; or
• The consumer applies to their local authority building control department for a building notice BEFORE work commences, and pays the appropriate fee (possibly up to £300).

It is generally much simpler and cheaper to use an HETAS registered installer who will leave you with a Certificate of Compliance as a record of the job and that it complies with Building Regulations. A copy of the certificate is forwarded to HETAS who notify the local authority on your behalf.

HETAS is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services.

This guide, the information from our brochures, and our expert staff will assist you in selecting the ideal stove for your needs and the most practical for your home. Always feel free to ask as we have been here since 1961 and are experts in our field. We can help you to reach the right decision for you as an individual.

The information in this guide is JUST a guide. Do not be tempted to fit a stove into an unsuitable fireplace. Installation must be carried out in accordance with building regulations, although ultimately manufacturers instructions take precedence and therefore should be referred to if concerned.

Document J of the Building Regulations states that any work which affects an existing chimney (i.e. fitting a new stove or liner) or creating a new chimney now comes under Building Control.

Download Document J

What is the right size of stove for you?

To work out the kw output needed for you room size - dry stove minimum 65% efficiency e.g.

LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT

e.g. 4m x 5m x 2.5m = 50m³
50 x 0.06 = 3.0kw min
50% = 1.5

Comfort level 4.5kw needed

For rooms of about 28m³ x 0.07 kw/m³
57m³ x 0.06 kw/m³ 85m³ x 0.05 kw/m³

Clearances for solid fuel stoves

When installing a stove into an inglenook setting it is important to allow adequate clearance around the stove. This allows air to circulate efficiently in the room, allows access to any controls on the side of the stove and also protects both the stove and the surroundings from any damage by excess heat. Manufacturers differ in their stated clearances, so please refer to each individual manufacturers recommendations.

Hearths in general

The idea of a hearth for a stove is that the stove sits on a slab of non-combustible material that protects any combustible materials underneath and around the stove from the heat of the stove, and from any burning fuel that might accidentally fall out from the stove.

If burning fuel falls from the stove then the hearth should be of sufficient size that it lands on the hearth and not on the floor, carpet, or other combustible material. The edge of the hearth should be at a different level from the floor to clearly define the safe perimeter - you can easily do this by making the hearth higher than the rest of the floor.

We can supply a range of floor plates (a floor plate is also a hearth) made from different types of material - please ask.

Hearth size and thickness

The stove must sit on a hearth of non-combustible material extending a minimum of 150mm (6") out from the stove at the sides and 300mm (12") in front.

Some stoves can sit on a 12mm hearth such as glass, steel or slate but it is advisable to check each manufacturers recommendations.

Hearths for freestanding stoves

The minimum hearth size for a freestanding stove is 840mm x 840mm, unless the stove does not heat the hearth to over 100 degrees, in which case the dimensions are shown above under the heading of "hearth size".

Once we have discussed your requirements and ensured that your chosen stove is suitable we will arrange a convenient day for a qualified HETAS installer to visit your property to survey the site and to prepare a quotation for the installation.

Woodburners

Dedicated woodburners have no grate mechanism or ashpan, so the fire burns in a bed of ash

Chimney Liner

It is always good practice to line a chimney when fitting any stove, whether it is a woodburning stove or a multifuel stove.

If stoves are burning for long periods on a low temperature or 'Slumbering' it is highly recommended to use 904 grade liner which is more resistant to corrosion from acids.

We also recommend flue lining for the following reasons:

• Better future safety for older chimneys.
• Improved stove performance
• Easier to clean, should mean less chance of chimney fires.
• Reduces the size of the chimney to suit the intended appliance.
• Stabilise the flue draught, which reduces the potential chimney problems.

There are two grades of chimney liner. 316 grade should be used for more occasional use and when primarily using wood. 904 grade liner can also be used when burning wood, but it is designed for the higher temperatures of smokeless fuels. Please ask about chimney liner prices.

Multifuel stoves

Multifuel stoves have a grate on which the fuel burns and an air inlet which allows air to enter from below this grate. An ash pan catches the ash as the fuel burns, so that it can be taken away. Multifuel stoves offer the flexibility of burning a combination of wood and coal.

** NB. Please read carefully any & all information regarding the burning of fuel in your stove as such practices as 'slow burning' certain types of smokeless fuels may lead to a sharp drop in the life of your flue liner - which will not be covered by your guarantee.

A Cleanburning wood stove (sometimes referred to as cleanheat stove)

These stoves will burn wood very efficiently. When you burn wood in a wood stove what is essentially happening is that wood gas is given off from the wood and it is this that actually burns. This gas needs oxygen from air to burn and this oxygen can be quickly used up. By introducing a fresh supply of oxygen above the fire, gases that otherwise would have been sucked up the chimney are burnt. This is also referred to as Secondary combustion. This creates extra heat - cleanburning stoves will often have a higher heat output than the non cleanburn model - as well as reducing emissions.

Combustion and efficiency are increased by heating the supply of air - this is done by drawing the air through channels next to the hot firebox of the stove before it is directed to the top of the fire. Wood burning stoves which have air inlets at the top of the stove and stoves with airwash will tend to be more efficient as the air is getting to the fire from above, but they will still not be as efficient as a cleanburning stove.

Some Cleanburning woodburners have approval for burning wood in smokeless zones because the emissions are lower. Please speak to a member of staff to ensure that you have the latest designs and information.

Cleanburning stoves generate more heat through the burning of these otherwise wasted gasses and so you will find that Cleanburning stoves have a higher output than a comparable non-cleanburning stove. This means that they are more efficient and therefore use less fuel than a non cleanburning stove.

NB. As a service to our customers we provide a list of types of wood and their qualities as firewood. We also provide a list wood suppliers in your area. This list is generated by the recommendations of our customers and so we welcome your recommendations and feedback.

What should I do next?

Once you have all your measurements and preferences worked out - choose your stove! Remember, we are here to help.

If you are unable to have a woodburner or multifuel stove you may wish to look at the possibilities of electric or gas.

Electric, e.g. the Opti-Myst the amazing new electric flame effect. Flame and smoke effect with stunning 3D realism. Just plug in and go! No flue, no mess, no hassle - installed in minutes. Flame and smoke only setting and 100% energy efficient.

Gas. There are several models in the gas stove range. The choices include different conventional flue gas stoves and different balanced flue stoves. There is a gas stove for almost any situation.