While the weather is sunny, you might not be thinking about heating your home. But now’s a good time carry out home improvements, so come winter, it’s warm and cosy.
Along with improving insulation and using a warming colour scheme, installing a stove could help to boost the comfort of your living space. But what type should you go for? Let’s take a look at the options.
Wood-burning stoves
When you think of cosy interiors, the wood-burning stove makes a great focal point. Afterall, there’s nothing quite like the crackle and flames of a real fire. And in terms of design, you’re not short of options, with models ranging in style from traditional fireplace to contemporary ceiling-hung stoves.
But there’s more to this type of stove than aesthetics. For starters, they’re a practical option for houses without a gas connection and homes such as remote cottages, which are more prone to power cuts. They’re also good for supplementing a heat pump in winter.
With outputs ranging from 4kW to 15kW, wood-burning stoves produce plenty of heat. So, they can be used as a primary and secondary heat source. However, the size of your room and the level of insulation you have will determine the output you need. So, it’s worth getting some advice from an installer first.
As they require a suitable flue and need to meet building regulations, wood-burning stoves aren’t really suitable for DIY installation. For instance, a chimney liner is usually needed before you can use your existing fireplace. Therefore, it’s best to use a HETAS engineer to make sure your installation’s done correctly and safely. You’ll also need adequate ventilation in the room and a carbon monoxide alarm. But your installer should go through this with you.
Finally, you should be aware that wood-burning stoves cause pollution and local councils have the power to fine households that use a non-compliant stove or produce a lot of smoke. So, you need to minimise emissions and use suitable fuel such as seasoned wood or smokeless briquettes.
Electric stoves
Electric stoves have come a long way in recent years. Top-of-the-range models look pretty close to the real thing. And as most just need plugging in – they’re easy to install.
To add to the illusion of a real fire, you can build them into a fireplace or create a faux fireplace to house them in. You can even buy a surround and stove as a complete kit, enabling DIY installation.
Perhaps the best thing about an electric stove is the convenience. There are no ashes to clean out and remote-control options enable you to change the heat and light levels at the touch of a button. You can also switch the heating function off, enabling you to enjoy the cosy effect of the flames on summer nights and when your central heating’s on.
But there are downsides to electric stoves. Their output tends to fall between 1kW and 2kW, which is fine for small rooms but not necessarily for primary heating in a large room. Furthermore, the cost of running an electric stove is typically higher than that of a gas stove. Although, homes with solar panels may find it a more cost-effective option.
Gas stoves
Although they might not be as popular as wood-burning stoves, gas stoves are a good option for many homes – especially those with an existing gas fire. As with wood-burners, there are plenty of modern and traditional styles to choose from and many models are compatible with both natural gas and LPG.
With gas stoves, heat outputs range between 2kW and 11kW but most models tend to sit between 3kW and 5kW. So, a gas stove might not always work as primary heating in your lounge.
However, you do benefit from thermostatic controls and realistic flames, which can make a gas stove more desirable than similar electric and wood-burning options. And of course, gas tariffs tend to be lower than those for electricity. So, you may find it more economical to run.
As with wood-burners, a gas stove needs a flue to operate safely but you can use a conventional or balanced flue, enabling you to utilise a chimney or vent your stove through an exterior wall. Crucially, a gas stove needs installing and servicing by a Gas Safe engineer. So, they not as simple to install as electric stoves.
Bioethanol stoves
Bioethanol stoves are a newer type of stove and for that reason, they’re a little less well-known. However, they come with a few big advantages that make them worth considering.
Firstly, this type of stove doesn’t need a flue. This means they’re not only quick and easy to install, but you have more choice over where you position them. And like gas stoves, you get a dancing flame without the hassle of sweeping up ashes the next day.
Despite being a new-comer to the market, you also find plenty of style choice with bioethanol stoves, including ceiling-hung and traditional models.
However, with outputs typically falling between the 1kW and 2kW mark, they don’t throw out quite so much heat as other stove types. So, you may still need your radiators on. Plus, the fuel can be a little pricey and some bioethanol produces an odour.
