Sales of stoves continue to increase month on month as the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills.
Whether you are the proud owner of a shiny new stove, or you’re thinking to install one, there are a few things that you need to know to really get the most out of that heating machine in the fireplace.
Do not burn damp wood. Read more
To enjoy using a log burner safely and responsibly, it is important to do your research. Think first about the size of area that needs to be heated and the style of burner you would like.
It is a particularly good idea to check the size and cost of logs you’ll need and whether you can buy them locally. Please also remember you will require an area to store your logs, preferably outdoors and dry.
Damp logs are simply no good for your burner and need to be air dried for at least 2 years, damp logs will cause soot build up and create extra cleaning. Read more
As well as making sure your new stove will physically fit into its new home, it is important to consider that the stove’s output is sufficient for the room. You should also ensure that it is not too large for the room, as this can cause just as many problems as a stove that is too small.
A stove that is too small for the room will not be powerful enough to heat the room adequately, on the other hand, if you have a stove that is too large it will need constant attention to keep the temperature down.
A result of this is the combustion within the stove will not be complete and you will quickly have a build-up of soot not just on the glass, but up the chimney as well.
With this in mind, when calculating the required output, a slightly greater output should be considered (no more than 1.5kW), as there will be a greater need for rapid heating in the long dark cold months of winter. Read more
