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Heating and cooling: Wood burning Stoves

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  1.  
    Hi All
    We are planning to fit two new wood burning stoves while our house is being renovated. Both stoves only need to be no more than 5kw. We have been totally baffled by the choice available the only thing we agree on is that it should be black. Can any one recommend a stove make or model or say which ones to steer clear of.
    thanks
    • CommentAuthorBeau
    • CommentTimeOct 4th 2012 edited
     
    I have always been a fan of the Woodwarm fires. They have a good tertiary air system that keeps the glass clean and hopefully the pollutants low.
  3.  
    Very happy with our Dunsley Highlander 5 Enviro Burn.
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeOct 5th 2012
     
    .....and we're very happy with our room sealed, smokeless zone approved Handol 50 (now knows as Contura which sounds like it should be a bra brand). That said I have nothing to compare against and a nice straight flue.
    • CommentAuthorJTGreen
    • CommentTimeOct 5th 2012
     
    We got a woodwarm slender 5kW which is what our installer recommended. However, it's only had a couple of gratuitous uses so far as - with the insulation - it hasn't been cold enough to justify lighting it, so can't really comment on how really works out in use yet. But it looks very attractive - neither ubermodern nor faux olde worlde trad - we got a flat top so I could heat things (kettles, casserole dish) on top if we want. I guess any energy going into heating water in a stove top kettle is heat stolen from the room? But then perhaps more directly warming people through use in a cup of tea?
  6.  
    Happy with Clearview Pioneer 400 and back boiler. Also has external air supply option fitted, ours comes up under the floor to the underside. Tricky to get it all lined up but would be easier with the longer legs option and the flexible metal pipe that they sell (wish I had bought a piece!)

    For a nice picture see www.shrubberycottagecheddleton.co.uk

    We use 2 years (and longer) seasoned wood dry stored. (picture on here of my woodpile somewhere i think it might be "take a look at my logpile" thread) Mostly hardwood beech and oak, some hawthorn, but also some lime and a few bits of elder.
  7.  
    Thanks all,
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeOct 11th 2012 edited
     
    We also have a Clearview. Very pleased. If possible avoid stoves (the version) certified for smokeless zones as it seems to burn a little fast (a relative needed that version).
    • CommentAuthorbarney
    • CommentTimeOct 11th 2012
     
    I've a Franco Belge - Montfort Elegance stove - can't fault it personally speaking

    Regards

    Barney
    • CommentAuthorcrusoe
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2012
     
    Since 1978 I have had customers satisfied - and violently dissatisfied - with the identical stove fitted to similar houses and chimneys. Dominic's point of dry wood is all you need to know. The rest is detail and we could debate the niceties of better stoves for ever.

    I have had, literally, dozens of stoves since then, but for what it's worth, for pure woodburning and aesthetics, I couldn't find better than Clearview. And now have two. Caveat about SC version as mentioned above. Still like Woodwarm too tho'. And ignore the cast vs Steel debate, the longevity has proved similar in the last 30+ years.
  11.  
    I installed two charnwood country 4kws. Easy to use, not too expensive and yes the dryer and harder the wood the better things are. Very happy - infact one is glowing away in the corner as we speak. Also, if you are under 5kw you don't need to install ventalation (requirement of building regs).

    Also top tip, be careful of the HETAS certified installers - cos they certify their own work you get a host of crazy advice on what you need to have to make the installation compliant. I got the Building control officer round who advissed that half of this was not actually required which saved me over £2K for the installation of both stoves and I have a building regs certificate now for both installations. RR
  12.  
    We fitted two Greymetal stoves they are convection stoves so they are steel not cast iron - imported from Eastern European but up to German Spec (think it's higher than EU) a fraction of the cost of the name brand stoves and we have been very happy with them.

    Got permission for a new house and will be buying from them again - hard to justify paying up to 4 times the amount for a branded one.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjoe90
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2012
     
    Calvinmiddle,

    Any chance of posting the name/spec/pics of these stoves, I am sure there are others who would like to see what you got.
  14.  
    Sure website is below - have woodburners, boiler stoves, insert stoves and cook stoves

    http://greymetal.co.uk

    I got the 001L Cube with logstore 5kw for £259

    http://greymetal.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=51

    Very good, we ran 2 last winter to warm our detached 1930s solid walled house (left doors open to get heat upstairs) and just gave up on the central heating system which was old and couldn't get heat into the house faster than it leaked out the walls.

    Burned looks of wood but was better than the winter before when we had to resort to electric fan heaters.

    Plan to get EWI next so house doesn't pour heat out of every wall!

    Dave
  15.  
    • CommentAuthorJonti
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2012
     
    We have a 150 year old croft with modern extension. We have a 5KW Brightburn which does all our heating upstairs and down including the dining room extension. Cutting out the draughts has been key to keeping the heat in.

    Jonti
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2012
     
    Posted By: roseramblerif you are under 5kw you don't need to install ventalation (requirement of building regs).


    This was quite true until the 2010 regs. came in but is no longer quite so clear cut.


    "The guidance for permanent ventilation openings for open flued appliances in very airtight houses (those with a design air permeability less than or equal to 5.0 m3/(h.m2)) have been increased to counteract the decrease in adventitious ventilation relative to older houses. "

    http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/AD_J_wm.pdf
    • CommentAuthorborpin
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2012
     
    Posted By: RobinB
    Posted By: roseramblerif you are under 5kw you don't need to install ventalation (requirement of building regs).
    This was quite true until the 2010 regs. came in but is no longer quite so clear cut.
    Just a reminder that Scottish and E&W Regulations are different (and not just in this area). Please remember to qualify comments on BR.
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2012
     
    sorry I was referring to E&W only
  20.  
    Direct/external air supply is the way to go, whatever size stove. Better safe than sorry in a well sealed house. No unexpected uncontrolled draughts either.
    • CommentAuthorCerisy
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2012
     
    I am planning to install an external air supply under the concrete ground floor - due to be laid this Monday, weather permitting. Looking at a 100mm drain pipe as the log burning stove will be relatively small - does anyone know if there is a problem with the length of this supply? Ours will be 5m + a vertical section on the exterior to get it above ground by a reasonable amount.

    With the stove in the middle of the lounge we don't have too many options!

    Thanks, regards, Jonathan
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2012
     
    The Clearview Pioneer comes with a 70mm dia duct, about 1000m long as a 'standard' option.
    Personally I would go for a larger dia at that length, 125mm-150mm if possible?

    Good luck...:smile:
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeNov 7th 2012
     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Cerisy</cite>Ours will be 5m + a vertical section on the exterior to get it above ground by a reasonable amount.</blockquote>

    Ours is about 4 metres with a 90 bend each end (inlet is under first floor overhang). about 95mm internal diam.
    Larger diameter if you have the space can't hurt.
  24.  
    Ours is about that, 5m probably 100mm diameter. I used a flexible aluminium pipe (concreted in) as I had quite a few slow bends/curves to contend with. I will use underground drain pipe for the rest (when I get round to it).
    • CommentAuthorbarney
    • CommentTimeNov 8th 2012
     
    Personally - I would avoid aluminium in direct contact with concrete

    regards

    Barney

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