If you’re considering having a log burner installed, you’re not alone. Wood burners have always been a great choice, but they’ve boomed in popularity over the past few months because of the energy crisis in the UK. An increasing number of people are getting wood burners to beat the high energy bills and take control of their home heating. But before you take this step, there are several things to consider.
Home Suitability
Any home can have a log burner installed, but whether you have an existing fireplace and chimney will be a deciding factor regarding the stove and installation type. If you already have an existing fireplace in your home, you can have the stove installed there. You can install it in the recess or find surrounds, mantels, and fireplaces London to complete the look. Alternatively, if you don’t already have a fireplace and chimney in your home, you’ll need a twin wall flue system. You can create a recess for your stove with a faux chimney breast or install it freestanding on a 12mm hearth.
Room Size
Another main factor to consider before you get a stove installed is the room size. This will determine the size and heat output of the stove that you need. The average stove gives around 5kW of heat, which is enough for a standard-sized living room. However, if you have a larger space, you should look for a stove with a larger heat output for effective heating. 8-12kW stoves are ideal for larger rooms or open-plan living. Avoid using a stove with a high heat output in a smaller space.
Fuel Type
It’s essential to consider the fuel type you’ll use before having a stove installed. Many people mistakenly believe that you can burn any wood on a stove, but this isn’t the case. If you live in the UK, you’ll need to check if where you live is a Smoke Control Area. If your house falls under such an area, you will need to get a stove that DEFRA has approved for burning wood. Otherwise, you’re limited to only burning smokeless coal, which requires a multi-fuel burner. When choosing wood to burn, ensure you’re using dry fuel with a low moisture level – ideally, 20% or less.
Maintenance
Finally, be aware of the maintenance involved in installing and using a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove in your home. You’ll need to be ready for regular chimney sweepings (at least once a year, depending on use) and more cleaning around the fireplace area to prevent chimney fires and keep your home clean and safe. If you want a low-maintenance option, go for a stove with an airwash system – this keeps the stove glass clean from the inside, resulting in less need to scrub soot off it.
Log burners are growing rapidly in popularity throughout the UK for good reasons. But before you get one of your own for your home, there are a few key factors you should keep in mind.
