Choosing a wood burning stove
Choosing a wood burning stove is fairly straightforward if you are able to split the various decisions and preferences into individual sections. There are many things to consider when looking to buy a wood burning stove - you need to be fully aware of what you are after, your budget and the standard of the stove you are looking to buy. So what should you consider when choosing a wood-burning stove?
Budget
The cost of a wood-burning stove can vary widely between different brands, different heat outputs and different styles. You need to ascertain an early stage what your maximum budget is and also remember to include the cost of installation which can in some cases be as much or more than the cost of the stove itself. Here at Bowland Stoves we would rather make you fully aware of the overall cost of buying and fitting a woodburning stove as early as possible so that you are fully aware of the picture a very early stage.
Style
Whether you are looking for a contemporary wood burning stove or a traditional wood burning stove the choice on the market today is absolutely enormous. There are short stoves, long stoves, wide stoves, thin stoves and every other type of stove you can think of. We have even seen the introduction of bizarre stove colours such as purple which have caught the eye of some people. If you are unsure as to whether you should choose a wood-burning stove in traditional or contemporary styles then we suggest that you look at the various options available and see what catches your eye.
Heat output
Many people fall into the trap of automatically assuming relatively low or relatively high heat output requirements for their specific rooms. The truth is that each room is very different and while the dimensions of the room will offer a basis on which to base your requirements you will also need to take into account the number of windows, position of the stove, whether the room is open plan and the number of doors. These are fairly simple calculations and we can offer you guidance for your particular situation to ensure you get the right stove heat output for your room.
Size of stove
Many people are surprised by the very compact nature of woodburning stoves when they actually see them in showrooms and in homes up and down the country. However, over the last few years we have seen the introduction of not only fairly compact stoves but also fairly large stoves which are designed to make a statement in any room. It is also vital that you do not fall into the trap of assuming a larger stove will offer a larger heat output because this is not always the case.
Cost of running a stove
The cost of running a wood-burning stove will depend upon your requirements, size of the stove and how often it is used. While any woodburning stove which is active 24/7 will obviously use a fair amount of wood the truth is that for the period required by the vast majority of people in UK there is scope for actual cost savings against the cost of traditional heating systems. As we all know, the cost of gas and electric has increased dramatically over the last few years which is one of the reasons why more and more people are now looking towards installing either woodburning stoves or multifuel stoves.
Stove brands
As the UK stove market continues to grow we have seen a number of new entrants to the market offering more and more competition and better and better prices for consumers. With such brand names as Arada stoves, Broseley stoves, Bosca Stoves, Dovre Stoves, Hamlet Stoves, Harmony Stoves, Huntingdon Stoves, Jotul Stoves, Morso Stoves, Nestor Martin Stoves, Riva Stoves, Stanford Stoves, Stockton Stoves, Termatech Stoves and Yeoman Stoves to name but a few it is not difficult to see an increase in choice.
Before you buy your wood burning stove we strongly recommend taking advice from professionals such as ourselves because various stove companies will target a specific market and specialise in specific effects. So whether you are looking for something traditional, contemporary, colourful or a standard cast black stove there is something out there for you.
Maintenance
Like any piece of machinery we strongly recommend regular servicing of your wood burning stove or multifuel stove to ensure that you are able to get the best out of your machine the vast majority of the time. It is easy to assume that traditional and contemporary stoves of today do not require regular maintenance when in reality they are very highly tuned and highly efficient machines and their performance can be impacted by a buildup of ash and dust. For just a few pounds a year you will be able to have your stove fully serviced and it is highly likely that you will feel the benefits immediately.
Flues and accessories
The process of installing a wood-burning stove is fairly simple and straightforward assuming that the correct measurements and calculations are available. However, incorrect figures can lead to the purchase of incorrect elements of flue and accessories which can increase the price of the overall installation. Again, it is vital that you speak to the experts with regards to flues and accessories because we can give you the best prices and ensure what you receive what you need, nothing more and nothing less.
Replacing your wood burning stove
The UK wood burning stove market has increased dramatically over the last 10 or 20 years and more and more people are now looking to replace their woodburning stoves for something more modern and more efficient. A number of stove retailers around the UK will offer some form of collection service for your older woodburning stove and ensure it is disposed of in the correct manner. In some situations you may well be able to negotiate a discount on the purchase of a new woodburning stove by including your old stove in the deal.
Government grants
The UK government has been introducing a number of grants in relation to wood-burning and multifuel stoves whether this is a direct reduction in price, some form of grant or a reduction in VAT. As a consequence, if you are looking to buy a wood-burning stove we strongly recommend speaking to your retailer and asking them for information regarding government grants and assistance with regards to the purchase of a wood-burning stove. You will be surprised how much a 15% reduction in VAT will take off your bottom line, money which automatically falls into your back pocket!
Conclusion
Over the last few years we have seen massive interest in wood burning stoves and multifuel stoves in the UK. However, while many people are now looking into the possible purchase of a stove it is vital that they are aware of what you are buying, the options available and the overall cost. We are very keen to ascertain our customer’s requirements at a very early stage and give them a cost price for the project, whether this is an individual stove or stove and installation, which we will stick by. There is no point buying a stove only to find out you are unable to afford the installation fee - therefore we are very active in putting together packages which include a significant discount for the customer.
Why not drop us an e-mail or give us a call and we can discuss your stove requirements in more detail.
Website :- www.bowlandstoves.co.uk