FAQs
What size stove do I need?
The following formula will help you calculate the size stove needed to adequately heat your room. Please remember that the number of doors and windows etc. in a room will have a marginal effect, so always over rather than under estimate.
To produce a comfortable room temperature of around 70°F (21°C) when the outside temperature is 0°, you will need 1kW of heat for every 14 cubic metres of space.
If you do not have double glazed windows in the room then add 1kW for each window. If you have radiators in the room that you plan to keep running minus 1kW for each radiator.
Firstly you need to calculate the cubic metres of your room, by multiplying the length, the width and the height. If you then divide this figure by 14, you will get the kW required to comfortably heat your room.
(Length in metres x width in metres x height in metres) ÷ 14 = kW
Wood burning or Multifuel Stove?
A multi-fuel stove will burn a variety of different fuels. Recommended fuels include seasoned wood, smokeless fuel, coal, peat and eco blocks.
A multi-fuel stove is significantly more efficient than an open fire cutting down running costs, carbon emissions and eradicating draughts caused by a constantly open flue.
By installing a stove you become independent from the major fuel suppliers and have more freedom to choose your fuel type to suit your lifestyle and budget. All your fuel will be bought in advance so you will have no more nasty surprises when that gas/electricity bill lands on your doorstep after a freezing winter!
The best fuel to use is seasoned hardwood. For the best results this means dry wood with a moisture content below 20% that is well, but not too tightly, packed into the firebox. The more moisture there is in the wood, the more it will smoke and possibly cause tar to build up in the chimney. Not only that but it will produce less heat.
It sounds common sense but plastic should never be burned on a stove as it harms the environment as well as doing the stove and lining no good what so ever. Plastic can be recycled very easily.
Can I burn softwood or pallets?
Yes you can burn softwood and pallets as long as the wood has not been treated with preservatives. As softwood is lighter in weight and less dense than hard wood, it will burn quicker and the stove will need refuelling sooner, but weight for weight will generate the same amount of heat, 1kg of (20% dry scale) generates 4 kWh.
How often should I sweep my chimney?
Your chimney should be swept at least once a year by a qualified chimney sweep. See the National Association of Chimney Sweeps.
Who can install my stove?
We recommend that your stove is fitted by a HETAS registered engineer who can "self certify" that the stove is fitted to the latest required building standards. Your stove can be installed by any competent person, but the installation will need to be signed off by the building control officer from your local authority who will charge an extra fee for this. We at Shipley Stoves offer fully certified Hetas installation services.
Do I need to line my chimney?
Your flue may have a suitable liner, but if your flue is unlined and rectangular you do need to line your flue. Modern high efficiency stoves (70%+ efficiency) will only work to their maximum efficiency. Oversized, unlined flues can create many problems i.e. poor performance, formation of tars and smoke emissions to name a few.
