Here is a list of commonly asked questions relating to solid fuel stoves. If you require any further information please call our office on 01527 853622 or E-mail us at sales@heatstoreltd.co.uk.

Most of the stoves on the market are available in gas as well as a good variety in oil.

Questions & Answers

1/What is Cleanburn ?

Cleanburn is a tertiary air flow within the stove bringing air in at a higher level of the combustion Chamber to force the volatiles in the smoke back Into the fire to re-burn them for cleaner emissions.

2/What is Airwash?

Airwash is a system where airflow is directed down the glass pushing volatiles back into the fire to help keep the glass clean when burning for a better view of the fire. (also see question 5)

3/What is Multifuel?

Used to designate the appliance to be capable of burning wood, coal and smokeless fuel. Although most manufacturers specify wood or smokeless fuel and not coal, largely down to environmental reasons and high bitumen and creosote contents.

4/What is Hetas?

Hetas are the governing board over solid fuel heating, very much like Corgi are to gas. They have played a key part in setting a standard for stove installations, cutting down issues afterwards like inability to sweep and downdrafts e.t.c. Getting a Hetas registered engineer should mean the appliance is fitted to the correct standard.( see also question 7&8)

5/Will the Airwash keep the glass spotless?

Highly dependent on the fuel you burn most Airwash Systems do a great job. Wet or green wood and bad quality fuels can still blacken the glass. You need to burn the stove hotter to get cleaner glass. (see question 2)

6/Are stoves controllable?

Stoves control is centred less around heat output and more on the length of the burn time. Different stoves handle at different levels generally the cheaper stoves are less controllable. Also fuel quantities can help i.e less fuel less heat.

7/Can I install the stove?

Yes you can, but its is essential that everything conforms with Document “J” of the building regulations for safety reasons. If the installation does not conform you will experience difficulty when selling the property as the installation will be questioned and reported on the property search and relevant documents need including with your hand over pack. These will be legal requirements as of 2007.(see question 4&8)

8/What is Document J?

Document J covers the building regulations regarding the installations of stoves, flues and open fires. These regulations Do need to kept to not only for a correct sign off but also to make sure certain issues are addressed that help the stove to perform correctly. (see question 4&7)

9/What is seasoned wood?

Seasoned wood relates to wood that has been stored outside undercover with exposed sides for at least a season of 12 months. With going hot, cold, wet and dry the levels of the wood expand and contract pushing the sap out. Good woods to burn are ash, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, crab apple and wild cherry. Most stove manufacturers recommend wood dried for at least 2 seasons.

10/What size stove do I need?

You can match the size of the stove you need dependent on insulation and size of room and other variables like stair cases and single glazed windows e.t.c. A simple system for working out the cubic requirement for a room say in feet would be:

length x width x height divided by 640 =

e.g 15 x 15 x 8 divided by 640= 2.81kw p/hour

If bad insulation or intermittent use you may want to range up the output dependent on heat loss areas.

11/Whats better steel / cast?

Neither really cast iron tends to be the preferred medium as cosmetically it looks better due to the ability to mould pictures or patterns, but heat transfer is near enough the same between them. Although most contemporary appliances lean towards steel for its clean lines on a finished product.

12/Do I need my chimney lined?

If you have a Air/Smoke Pressure Test and it is passes by a Hetas approved installer no! (see question 4 & 13). Provided the flue is not vastly oversize in relation to the stove pipe as oversize flues can be unsaved.

13/What is an Air Pressure Test?

An “Air Pressure Test” is when each end of the chimney is temporarily blocked up, a probe is inserted and a computer monitors permissible leakage limits. 40 pascals is the target (N2). The Air/ smoke pressure test is necessary for building regulations.

14/Can I fit a solid fuel stove anywhere?

With twin wall stainless steel and Pumice chimney systems even without a chimney options are opened up. Although there are limitation due to termination heights distances from combustible materials and limitations on the amount of bends there can be e.t.c (ask staff for further details) you do need a class 1 flue system.(see questions 4 & 8)

15/Can I run my central heating off the stove?

There are more limited models available with differing capabilities / capacities but options are there between say 24,000 btu’s up to 100,000 btu’s dependent on your requirements. Also options are available for clip in boilers which usually manage 8,000 btu’s up st 24,000 btu’s for just domestic hot water or perhaps a couple of radiators.

16/Do I need an air vent?

Yes, for any outputs over 5kw rating. It doesn’t matter whether it is a large or small room or whether the room has gaps around, doors, windows or trickle vents e.t.c as it must have a dedicated, permanently open air vent over 5kws.

17/Can I burn my stove overnight?

Dependent upon fuel used and quality of appliance. Although smokeless fuels should allow overnight burning at low rates of combustion. Seasoned wood should give maximum 3-4 hours. (see also questions 9 & 6)