Right now, it may not be the time of year to be firing up the stove, but it sure is the perfect time to upgrade or replace your current stove, or switch to stove heating for one or more of your rooms. We won’t wish the year away, but the cold snaps will be back before you know it!
If you’re in the market for a stove for your home, there’s some careful consideration that needs to go into it, including all of these factors:
The size you need
At a top level, you should know the dimensions of the space that the stove will need to fit in, but beyond that, size can also refer to the heat output of the stove. The higher the kilowatts on a stove (the units that the heat output is measured in), the more heat it will throw out. It figures that bigger rooms need more, and small rooms need less.
Whether you’re in a smoke controlled area
Some areas of the UK are ‘smoke controlled’, which means there are rules around what stoves you can and cannot have installed in your home. You can find out whether you’re in a smoke controlled area using the government website, before contacting your local council to confirm. If you do, you are likely only able to burn smokeless fuels in a stove in your home.
The fuel you’ll be using
If you’re not in a smoke controlled area, you’ve got some options, and smokeless fuels are one of them. Your others include wood, logs, wood briquettes, and wood pellets. Wood burning stoves are, of course, a very popular option, but if you wanted to make the most of whatever fuel was cheapest, a multi-fuel stove is a fantastic way to go.
Your budget
Like any change to your home, a lot of your decision making will be driven by budget, and this isn’t just the cost of the stove itself – there’s also the installation and maintenance to consider, as well as the ongoing cost of fuel. Work out what you can reasonably afford before going stove shopping – there are lots of options available for budgets of various sizes.
The brand and style
Now you’ve got some criteria together, it’s time to do your research. This can include looking at brand reviews, forums, and blog posts, or consulting with a stove supplier and/or installation expert. All of these can guide you towards a brand and style of stove that will suit your home and lifestyle.
Building regulation restrictions
You may know where you’d like to have your stove, but is the location compliant with building regulations? The room around the stove, the location of the flue, the hearth material, and the proximity of both yours and your neighbours windows to the flue exit will all have to be in accordance with building regulations – you may need an expert on hand to ensure everything is above board.
Why choose Wakefords for your stove?
It’s natural to have lots of questions when you’re considering a new stove installation, but here at Wakefords, our friendly, knowledgeable team can answer them all, helping you make the right decision for your home. Here in Surrey we supply stoves across the county, suiting various budget, fuel, and size requirements. Find out more about the stoves we offer and get in touch today to get the ball rolling.