Once you have decided that you would like to install a wood-burning stove in your house the next task is choosing a stove which fits for your choice of style, your budget and for your requirements. So where do you start?
Room size
The heat output from woodburning stoves available today can vary from 2 kW up to 20 kW and above. Such is the variety of products available that you will need to ensure that the woodburning stove you choose is suitable for your room size and for your requirements. There is a simple calculation in relation to room dimensions and suitable kilowatt output but there are many variables including the position of the stove, number of windows, number of doors, etc which also need to be considered.
Therefore, with regards to room size and what particular kilowatt output would suit your situation we strongly recommend taking advice before completing a purchase. The reality is that if you have a stove which is too big for your room (in heat terms) then it may be uncomfortably warm whereas if you have a stove which is too small for your room then you will not get value for money.
Budget
It may seem rather strange to suggest that your budget should be considered when looking to choose the best woodburning stove for your situation but in reality you need to appreciate the running costs of the stove as well as the initial cost. However, on the other side of the coin there are far too many people who look towards the budget end of the market only to find out that while they are cheap they are not necessarily durable. There are also issues with reliability and output for some of the very cheap imports which in many ways offer a false sense of saving.
Style
In years gone by the style of woodburning stoves available was very limited and indeed many people were forced to choose the traditional woodburning stove affect. However, the situation has changed dramatically over the last few years and now we have contemporary and traditional woodburning stoves available in abundance. We have double sided stoves, we have large glass windows, small glass windows and even different coloured bodies in many cases. If your major concern is finding a woodburning stove to fit the style of your home and the room where the stove will go then rest as assured, there is more than enough choice in the current marketplace.
Local regulations
One of the main factors coming more and more into play with regards to woodburning stoves is local regulations regarding smoke controlled areas. If you live in a smoke controlled area then you will need to abide by the regulations and install a DEFRA approved stove - thankfully there are a growing number of DEFRA approved stoves available on the market today. Do not be tempted to flout the local regulations because you may well end up significantly out of pocket if you're caught
Conclusion
Choosing the right stove for your home and the right stove for your situation is vital and rather than guessing which stoves will suit your requirements you should take professional advice at the earliest opportunity. The calculation with regards to heat output is fairly straightforward, although there are various variables, and if you are concerned about the style and even your budget then rest assured there are more than enough stoves to choose from. However, it is vital that you take professional advice at the earliest opportunity.