Information

HOW TO CALCULATE THE RIGHT SIZE STOVE FOR YOUR ROOM

A good rule of thumb guide to calculate the heat requirement of a given room is:

               HEIGHTWIDTHDEPTH (in feet) divided by 500

This gives you the kilowatt requirement

Multiply this result by 3,400 to get the Btu’s requirement

This is based on average house insulation with room temperatures of 20c and an ambient temperature of -1c. Well-insulated houses could replace the division of 500 with 650. To find the approximate size of the radiators for any particular room, divide the Btu’s requirement total as calculated above by 160. This will give you the radiator size in square feet, taking both sides of the radiator into account.

When choosing a stove/boiler combination you should also take the following into account:

  • Allow 8,000 Btu’s for domestic hot water

  • Allow an additional 20% of the total Kilowatt or Btu’s requirement as calculated above for heat loss in the system.

WHAT IS THE BEST SORT OF WOOD TO BURN ON YOUR WOODBURNING STOVE?

There are a myriad of wood types to choose from, all of which have their own burning qualities and properties and although there are references to burning green wood in this guide, we would stress that for the most efficient and effective burn in your wood burning stove only very dry wood should be used. We have listed below a brief but by no means comprehensive guide.  In addition there are of course the compressed reclaimed ‘eco’ type of logs and briquettes.  Theses tend to burn well and for a decent length of time because they are dense and very dry, however try to choose a product that does not break apart too easily.

Alder

Poor

Produces poor heat output and it does not last well

Apple

Good

A very good wood that burns slow and steady when dry, it has small flame size, and does not produce sparking or spitting

Ash

V.Good

Reckoned by many to be one of best woods for burning. It produces a steady flame and good heat output. It can be burnt when green but like all woods, it burns best when dry

Beech

V.Good

Burns very much like ash, but does not burn well when green

Birch

Good

Produces good heat output but it does burn quickly. It can be burnt unseasoned, however the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use

Blackthorn

Good

Has a slow burn, with good heat production

Cedar

Good

Is a good burning wood that produces a consistent and long heat output. It burns with a small flame, but does tend to crackle and spit and the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use

Cherry

Good

Is a slow to burn wood that produces a good heat output. Cherry needs to be seasoned well

Chestnut

Poor

A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output

Douglas Fir

Poor

A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output and the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use

Elder

Poor

A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output

Elm

Medium

Is a wood that can follow several burn patterns because of high moisture content, it should be dried for two years for best results. Elm is slow to get going and it may be necessary to use a better burning wood to start it off. Splitting of logs should be done early

Eucalyptus

Poor

Is a fast burning wood. The sap can cause deposits to form in the flue and can increase the risk of a chimney fire if burned unseasoned

Hawthorn

V.Good

Is a good traditional firewood that has a slow burn with good heat output

Hazel

Good

Is a good but fast burning wood and produces best results when allowed to season

Holly

Poor

Is a fast burning wood that produces good flame but poor heat output. Holly will burn green, but best dried for a minimum of a year

Hornbeam

Good

A good burning wood that burns similar to beech, slow burn with a good heat output

Horse Chestnut

Good

A good wood for burning in wood stoves but not for open fires as it does tend to spit a lot.  It does however produce a good flame and heat output. Good (for Stoves)

Laburnum

V.Poor

A very smokey wood with a poor burn – Do not use.

Larch

Medium

Produces a reasonable heat output, but it needs to be well seasoned. The sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use

Laurel

Medium

Burns with a good flame but only reasonable heat output. It needs to be well seasoned

Lilac

Good

Its smaller branches are good to use as kindling, the wood itself burns well with a good flame

Lime

Poor

Not a good wood for burning as it produces very little flame or heat output

Maple

Good

Is a good burning wood that produces good flame and heat output

Oak

Good

Because of its density, oak produces a small flame and very slow burn, it is best when seasoned for a minimum of two years as it is a wood that requires time to season well

Pear

Good

Burns well with good heat output, however it does need to be seasoned well

Pine Species

Good

(Including Leylandii) Burns with a good flame, but the resin sap can cause deposits to form in the flue and can increase the risk of a chimney fire must be well seasoned (with caution)

Plum

Good

A good burning wood that produces good heat output

Poplar

V.Poor

A very smokey wood with a poor burn

Rowan

V.Good

Is a good burning wood that has a slow burn with good heat output

Rhododendron

Good

The older and thick stems can burn well

Robinia (Acacia)

Good

Is a good burning wood that has a slow burn with good heat output. It does produce an acrid and dense smoke but this is of course not a problem in a stove

Spruce

Poor

Produces a poor heat output and it does not last well

Sycamore

Medium

Produces a good flame, but with only moderate heat output. Should only be used well-seasoned

Sweet Chestnut

Medium

The wood burns ok when well-seasoned but it does tend to spit a lot. This is of course not a problem in a stove

Thorn

V.Good

One of the best woods for burning. It produces a steady flame and very good heat output, and produces very little smoke

Walnut

Medium

Is a moderate to good burning wood

Willow

Poor

A poor fire wood that does not burn well even when seasoned

Yew

V.Good

A good burning wood as it has a slow burn, and produces a very good heat output