Wood Burning Stoves

A wood burner or otherwise known log burner is a device usually constructed from steel that provides heat to a room. Not only does it provide heat it also provides a cosier more welcoming environment to your living area.

Wood burning stoves have been around for many years and thanks to technology and advances in fuels a wood burning stoves are kinder to the environment thanks to the carbon neutral nature of wood stove.

The cost of a wood burning stove can vary from 100's of pounds into 1,000's depending on a number of factors;

• Which manufacturer you choose
• Style of stove
• Size of stove
• Features and benefits

Remember when shopping for your wood burner that the cost indicated will get you the stove you will also need the fitting components to install the stove safely and to conformity of HETAS guidelines. Use our handy instant stove installation quote tool to get an idea of what the cost is of having your new stove installed.

Installing a wood burner is an investment in your property. A good quality wood burning stove, installed by a proper company, who offer a certificate for the same is unlikely to be cheap. 

Further, choosing a wood burning stove can often be a daunting undertaking. 

At Hot Box, we like to help our clients make the right choice, whether buying online or as part of one of our installation packages. 

As such, this brief guide is designed to help you choose the right woodburning stove. 

• Taste, clearly many things are a matter of taste, woodburners are no exception, go for one that you like the look of. 
• Output, make sure it suits the room where it will be installed. How much heat a wood stove produces is measured in KW. The following calculation needs to be used. Room dimensions, length x width x height, then divide by 14. For example 5m x 5m x 2.6m = 65m3 = 4.64 kw (5kw). Variations apply such as insulation levels, how exposed your property is and its overall thermal efficiency. Choose one that is too small and it will not heat the space, too big and the space will be too warm, be sensible. 
•  Quality, at Hot Box, we have spent ten yeas selecting what we believe are some of the best wood burners on the market. Look at reviews and ensure your appliance is well made, from a reputable manufacturer, and has good reviews. Further, SIA Eco design ready certification is an important factor. This certification rates the efficiency of an appliance, by 2022 it will be an industry prerequisite. 
• Availability of spare parts. Certain items inside a wood burning stove are consumable, glass, fire bricks rope seals. Ensure you can get spare parts, you will need to check them each time your stove is serviced. 
• After sales and installation support. As important as the choice of wood burning appliance is the company you choose to fit it. Opt for one who not only offers a full installation package but also provides after sales care such as servicing. Further, a HETAS registered installer offers some peace of mind because you know that they have been continually trained to remain familiar with Document J of building regulations. 

To summarise, choose a stove you like, check its provenance, consider its output, be guided by a HETAS registered installer. Do not buy purely based on costs, not all wood burners, like installers, offer the same long term value. Buy once and buy right and your stove will provide you with many years of home heating. Maintain your wood burner, at least once a year but more realistically twice depending upon how much it is used. Burn good quality wood fuel, it may cost more but you will get more heat and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.