Selection Guide

1 Fuel Choice

The first question to answer when selecting a stove or heating appliance is what fuel you want to burn. The available options are:

	Multifuel - burning your choice of wood or coal
	Wood only
	Natural gas - usually from the mains
	LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) - usually from a bottled supply (if you are not on the mains)
	Electricity
	Oil

Please note that waste materials are not suitable for burning with any of the appliances we supply.

As well as your preference, the fuel source is influenced by whether you have a chimney, whether the appliance is to be sited near or on an external wall, and whether you have mains services such as gas to your home.

1a If you DO have a chimney

You can burn multifuel, wood only, oil, gas, or electricity.

In this case, you need a 'conventional flue' - a liner for your chimney.

1b If you DON'T have a chimney

You cannot burn wood, coal or oil.

You can burn gas, but you will need a power flue or balanced flue (depending on the appliance) to be installed in an exterior wall. In the case of a power flue, you will need an electricity supply nearby. Power flues are fan driven (though this is imperceptibly quiet). The flue projects usually about 250mm outside.

2 Heat output

After fuel choice, the next most important consideration is the heat output of the appliance. This will depend on a number of factors such as room size, temperature required, insulation, draught prevention, and so on. However, we have provided the calculator below to help you make a rough estimate. To this figure we have added a recommended margin of 25%, as your appliance will run most efficiently if it is not permanently operating at full output. This margin will also allow for those inevitable cold weather snaps.

Use the left column calculator if you prefer to measure in feet, or the right hand column for metres. Enter your room length, width and height and press 'Calculate'.

	In feet	OR	In metres
Length		ft		m
Width		ft		m
Height		ft		m
Your room volume is		ft3		m3
You will need minimum heat output		kW		kW
Recommended heat output		kW		kW

Please note that electric stoves, though lightweight and portable, are rarely of sufficient heat output for most rooms, if used as the sole source of heating, and you may feel they lack the aesthetic appeal of a stove burning solid fuel or gas. However, they might be better than no stove at all!

3 Appliance dimensions

The next important consideration is the space in which the appliance is to be sited. There is a large variation in product sizes, so before we supply and install your stove or appliance, we will visit your home (free of charge) to measure the space.

4 What to do next

	Choose a stove design at our online gallery
	Visit our showroom to see over 40 stoves and talk through which option best meets your needs