The wood burning stove has come very popular of late. This is down to the environmental advantages as much as the style and efficient heating method that they offer. Any owner of a stove will find that they soon pay for themselves in savings.
However, if you’re considering buying a new stove, you may want to take these facts into consideration:
The Stove’s Purpose
How much of your home do you need the stove to heat? You may just need one room to be heated, which can be done very well by a stove. It can either operate as the sole provider of heat, or it can provide extra heat in tandem with central heating for very cold spells.
You may consider installing a back boiler which will give you the further benefits of heating water and radiators to provide a central heating system. You’ll find that this is significantly cheaper than using oil.
Space
Stoves can fit into relatively small spaces, however you will still need to consider the space that you have available. The more space there is around the stove, the more the warmth coming off the stove can spread to heat a room.
One related point is to consider whether you’ll be able to take you stove with you if you decide to move later on down the line.
Efficiency
The efficiency of stoves is provided in the form of a percentage. This refers to how much heat you will get with regards to the money spent on fuel.
Open fireplaces are thought to be 25% efficient, whilst a stove will range in efficiency between 60 and 85%.
Fuel
Wood that burns well is seasoned to dry out any moisture. You will need a good supply of it and it should be stored in a dry place. If you are planning on running the stove for hours at a time, you will need to keep feeding it for it to produce heat.
Some owners prefer to burn coal or other fuels, however, you will need to check with your local authority to find out what is legally possible in your area.
Heat Output
When it comes to stoves, the heat that they produce is measured in KW. This can differ from stove to stove and could depend on the size and the brand of it. Just 5KW will usually be enough for most rooms, but if you have a larger area, then opt for 8KW. Use this stove heat calculator to help.
