Tel: 01473 736399

Fax: 01473 736406

Please click on the buttons above or any links to navigate around the site

escape with natures own pleasurable heat

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page).  Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us sales@woodstoves.co.uk or call us on 01473 736399 for further advice.

What Stove size (KW output) do I need for my home?  Many stoves are chosen on their physical size to match an existing hearth or opening but this has little relationship to the heat requirement of the room.  Not withstanding variations in heat loss in individual properties, as a general rule you will need 1KW of heat for every cubic metre.  This is based on a room temperature of 21 degrees celcius at an ambient of -1 degree celcius.  For example, an average living room measuring 2.3m x 4.9m x 4.7m divided by 14 would require a stove with a nominal output of 4KW.

Flue/chimney requirements Multi fuel stoves require a class 1 chimney and should conform to building regulations. Existing chimneys should be clean, sound and inspected by an expert before installation and lined, if necessary, with a class 1 chimney liner.  Your Heta and Bohemia Stove stockist will be able to advise you.

What can I burn in a Scanline Stove  All Scanline stoves that are illustrated are multifuel, suitable for use with most smokeless solid fuels.  Wood must be well seasoned, ideally split and stacked for at least two summers.

Will my new stove include fitting instructions Yes all new stoves in the Heta, Bohemia and Suffolk ranges include detailed instructions covering installation, operation, general care and maintenance.

Will a stove be more efficient than an open fire  Yes a stove will operate at efficiency levels between 65-85%.  Most open fires operate at levels of 25% or less.

Where can I install a stove  A suitable site will have a non combustible hearth and offer direct access to the flue system.  The position will need to be at predetermined clearances from both combustible and non combustible surfaces.  These are included in both our installation instructions and the building regulations 2002 approved document J.

What type of chimney will I need   Solid fuel and wood burning stoves require a class 1 flue system.  Minimum overall height must be 4.5m to provide sufficient draught to safely exhaust the products of combustion.  The flue/chimney system may be either mineral or stainless steel and must conform to current building regulations.  There are separate regulations covering the installation of stoves in park homes and boats.

How often do I need to sweep my chimney  This should be done at least annually and preferable by a national association of chimney sweeps registered member who will provide you with a certificate of visual condition covering the flue/chimney and compliance with ventilation requirements.

Do I need any special ventilation All live fires need ventilation to ensure safe and complete combustion although stoves require significantly less than open fires.  Stoves rated upto 5KW require sufficient room ventilation only.  Stoves rated in excess of 5KW do require permanent ventilation and your installer will need to refer to the installation instructions for the specific size required.

What fuels can I burn in my stove  Stoves classified as multifuel can burn a wide range of mineral and bio fuels.  The Bohemias are designed for seasoned wood, wood derived briquettes, brown coal (lignite) briquettes and approved smokeless fuels as recommended by your local CMF coal merchant.

The Heta range will burn seasoned wood, wood derived briquettes and brown coal (lignite) briquettes

The burning of petroleum coke is strictly prohibited.

Who can install my stove  It is essential that your stove is installed by a competent person i.e. a HETAS certified installer or equivalent who can sign off the installation.  Alternatively the installation can be conducted under type A inspection and with the approval of your local authority building control department.

Lighting and combustion

The primary air is drawn into the stove through the slide on the door.  The secondary air is regulated with the aid of a slider above the door.  The heated secondary air flows down the viewing window and then feeds the fire; it is this secondary combustion that completes the burning cycle by turning unburned volatiles into flame.

 As much as half of the heat obtainable from wood is obtained from this secondary combustion.  It is important that the firebox temperature is maintained at a high level as this also aids complete combustion.  The use of a stove pipe thermometer is recommended, as this will indicate stove performance.  For Example, when first lighting a stove it is important to get it really hot before closing the burning rate down.  The firebox temperature should reach 400C which equates to approximately 250C at the flue pipe.

If the stove is operated at this optimum level very clean combustion can be achieved with little or no smoke visible from the chimney.  

Recommended reading and useful links

Fireplaces Chimneys and Stoves by Michael Waumsley.

Published by the Crowood Press.  ISBN1 86126 746 0

Further information can be found from http://www.hetas.co.uk/ and http://www.soliftec.com/

See the Building Regulations 2002 Approved document J

 http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000503.html

copy write of Pevex Enterprises Ltd 2012 ©. No part of this publication may be copied or transmitted without the express prior permission of Pevex Enterprises Ltd