Essential Stove & Firewood FAQ

Welcome to my top ten of Frequently Asked Questions.

I have tried to answer the most common questions that clients ask. If you find that your questions are not answered please e-mail me or call 07866 265 957 for further advice.

1. Which type of chimney cowl do I require?

Anti-downdraught cowl - this prevents downdraught and rain/bird entry.
Rain top - used when there is no issue with downdraught. Stops rain/bird entry.
Aspirator- this is wind driven and is used on slow chimneys needing an increase in updraught.
Spark arrester cowl - mainly used on thatch roofs - prevents sparks spilling onto the roof, these must be cleaned at least twice a year.
Stainless steel bird-guard - terracotta finish, ideal for standard installations where a flue liner has already been installed. Stops bird/rain entry.

2. Do I need ventilation?

All open live fires require ventilation to allow for safe and complete combustion to take place. Stoves rated at up to 5KW require room ventilation only - no vent is required. Stoves rated in excess of 5KW will require a permanent open vent - wall or floor type normally rated at 100cm².

3. Which type of fuels can I burn on my stove?

This depends on the area in which you live. If in doubt, please contact your local council to advise weather or not you live in a smokeless zone. Multi-fuel stoves can burn wood or coal or a mixture of both. Mineral and bio fuels can also be used, as can seasoned wood/briquettes or approved smokeless coals.

4. Which wood is best burnt on my stove?

This table shows wood grades or click here for a more poetic answer!

5. How do I dry and season wood?

Firewood should be well seasoned before burning. The wood should be protected from direct rainfall and kept on a raised platform or plinth. The logs should be stacked and the sides left open so that wind can pass over and across the wood to dry out. Some stack the wood in tall rows then fix a roof over the top and leave to season. When buying firewood make sure that you are getting seasoned firewood, this means that it was cut and split at least a year ago and then stored.

6. Which size stove do I need for my room?

As a general rule, you will require 1 KW of heat for every cubic metre. An average room will require a 4-5 KW output stove.

7. Will a stove be more efficient than an open fire?

Most stoves will output at 75-85% efficiency an open fire will output at around 20-25% efficiency.

8. How often will I need to sweep my chimney/liner?

At least once a year - I can sweep and service your stove at the same time.

9. Who can install my stove?

It is essential that your stove or fireplace is installed by a HETAS registered and approved installer. I have over 25 years experience in the fireplace industry, my details are listed:

HETAS Company Registration No. 2212
HETAS Engineer's Registration No. 12277

All work is signed off and notified through HETAS.

10. Do I need a carbon monoxide detector?

From the 1st of October 2010, all stove installations require a carbon monoxide (CO) detector fitting in the room where the stove is installed. Without this, the installation can not be signed off by the HETAS engineer.