Buying an appliance like a stove can be tricky. You can’t just rush into buying one without ensuring you’re getting the right one for your home, budget, and lifestyle. However, with so many different brands and types of stoves on the market, it’s easy to feel daunted by the prospect of shopping for one. Therefore, we’ve put together these essential tips on what you should do before buying a stove. There are many different factors you should be thinking of before buying and installing a Stove. We will go through them now to ensure you make the right decision.
Size
Generally, a solid-state fuel stove can be installed almost anywhere – if there is a flue. However, it is still imperative to consider this when buying a new stove is its size. This can vary depending on the type of stove you’re looking at. For example, if you’re opting for a free-standing stove, you’ll need to consider the depth of the stove, as well as the width and length of it. Similarly, if you’re going for a standing stove, you’ll need to be aware of the dimensions of the appliance. The stove’s positioning is essential and how that might affect the rest of your room is also worth keeping in mind. For example, the stove will be more efficient if it is positioned away from windows or doors. This will allow maximum efficiency from the heater to circulate the warm air around the room. You’ll want to ensure you have enough space to position it correctly. Additionally, the installation needs to satisfy the requirements of the product, such as the distance to combustibles laid out by the manufacturer. Your chimney may dictate where you locate your stove unless you have a prefabricated flue system installed.
Building Regulations
One of the main factors is complying with building regulations. These regulations control how much space is left around the stove, where the flue exits the building, how close are you and your neighbour’s windows to this and the size and material of the hearth. You may know where to put your stove, but you have no chance if this doesn’t coincide with the building regulations.
This might seem like a minor detail, but it’s incredibly crucial and something you might not even consider. If your stove doesn’t comply with the building regulations, you won’t be able to install it. This can be a huge headache and will ultimate massive run-up cost ultimately cost run. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your stove is compliant before buying it. One of the easiest ways to check if your stove is compliant is to look at the stove’s manual.
Location
One of the first things you’ll want to consider before buying a new stove is its location. Make sure you plan where your stove will be placed to allow space between the heat and combustible items you may have in the room. Dependent on what stove you choose, you may need to consider the brand’s advice regarding the gaps that need to be left between the walls and the stove.
Make sure you plan where your stove will be placed to allow space between the heat and combustible items you may have in the room. Are you going for an electric or gas stove? If so, you’ll need to make sure there’s an electrical outlet where you plan on positioning it. Similarly, if you’re planning on going for a gas stove, you’ll need to ensure adequate ventilation in the room. Also, for a wood-burning stove, you will want to have a dry space where you can store your wood unless you want to pop to the shops every day. Dependent on what stove you choose, you may need to consider the brand’s advice regarding the gaps that need to be left between the walls and the stove. That said, it’s also worth keeping in mind that some stoves are designed to be installed outside, such as a BBQ or a smoker. If you’re planning on installing an outdoor stove, you’ll need to ensure it’s compliant with the building regulations and that you have the correct installation permits.
Smoke Controlled Areas
Do you need a Defra Approved Stove? If you know the answer is yes, then look through our different brands to find yourself the perfect one. Fortunately, due to the increase of areas becoming smoke controlled, the brands have recognised this and produced many more stoves to choose from. So, you shouldn’t be short of options!
If you live in an area with strict smoke control laws, you’ll need to ensure your stove is compliant. This is particularly important if you plan on installing a wood-burning stove, as there are many different types on the market. However, if you want to install a wood-burning stove, you’ll need to ensure it’s compliant with smoke control laws. There are two main ways to do this: one is by installing a secondary air supply, and the other is by installing an airflow meter. It’s also worth remembering that not all stoves are created equal, and some are more suitable for different areas than others.
Decide on a budget
Before you go out and start shopping for stoves, deciding on a budget is essential. In most people’s minds, the budget is the first thing that will affect the choice of stove. Luckily, hundreds of brands out there give you options whether you want to spend £100 or £200. This is especially important if the stove is going into a big room in your household, as you will need to be able to heat the room efficiently. That said, it’s also essential to remember that you get what you pay for. While there are many great budget options, you don’t want to compromise on quality. You’ll need to consider spending a bit more to ensure you get a stove that will last you years. That said, it’s also important to remember that buying a stove is a long-term investment with energy prices going up wood burning stoves can be an efficient option for the short term.
Brands and Styles
Let’s get down to the good stuff, style. Now you need to ask yourself these questions – do you want traditional or contemporary, free-standing or inset? Either way, you are going to have many choices.
The brand is also something you should consider. As humans, we tend to go for appliances that come from a well-known brand as they are well known for a reason.
It’s also important to consider what kind of stove you want. There are many different types of stoves to choose from, each with its benefits. For example, if you have a large room, you might want to consider a giant stove that will heat the room more efficiently. You should also consider your room’s style when choosing a stove. After all, you want it to match your existing design.
By size, we don’t just mean the apparent dimensions. Even though these should be kept in mind, we mean the heat output. A stove’s heat output is measured in kilowatts; the higher the number, the more heat it will produce. So therefore, the bigger your room, the more heat you need. To approximately calculate what kilowatt you need, use our all you need are your room dimensions.
Even though the kilowatt size is the most important, you must also consider the actual dimensions of the stove you want to buy. As many do, the stove will have to fit into a fireplace, so make sure you measure this first before buying a stove.
What Fuel Type?
Now to decide what you want to burn, just wood or other smokeless fuels. If just wood is suitable, then you have a massive choice of wood-burning stoves to choose from. If you are interested in burning other smokeless fuels, you will need a multifuel stove. But remember that if you are in a smoke-controlled area, you will have to burn wood or DEFRA-exempt fuels.
Do you need a chimney?
Now, this might seem like an obvious one, but there are only two options. This is a prominent place to install a stove if you have a chimney. But if you don’t, you will need to consider a twin wall flue system running through your property internally or externally.
If you’re planning on installing a stove that requires a chimney, then it’s essential to consider where you plan on installing it. You’ll need to ensure enough room to install a chimney in the room you plan on positioning your stove and ensure an excellent draft to allow the chimney to work properly. It’s also worth remembering that you’ll need to get your chimney inspected every year by a qualified engineer. This is particularly important if you live in an area with strict building regulations, as an engineer can determine whether your chimney is compliant. Remember that a chimney doesn’t just bring aesthetic appeal to your home – it’s also crucial for safety.
Check the feedback on different brands and styles.
One of the best ways to find out which brands and styles of the stove are good is to read the reviews. You can find reviews on most major brands online, so it’s easy to do your research before deciding. It’s essential to keep in mind that you can’t always trust what a brand says about itself. After all, they’re trying to sell you their product, so they will make it sound as good as possible. That’s why reading other people’s opinions about a product are crucial before purchasing it. It’s also important to note that certain stoves are better for specific lifestyles. For example, a built-in stove is excellent if you have a small, limited space, but a traditional range stove can be more efficient.
Find out whether you’ll need professional installation.
Finally, it’s essential to determine whether you’ll need professional stove installation. Some stoves are easier to install than others, but if you don’t have the right experience, you might consider hiring a professional like us to install your new stove. This will ensure that your new stove is correctly installed and complies with the building regulations. It can also be helpful if you have a gas stove, as you’ll need to have your gas line checked. Hiring a professional can be pricey, but it’s worth considering it as an investment, as it will cost you less in the long run.
Conclusion
Choosing a new stove can be a tricky process. However, if you follow these tips, you should be able to find one that ticks all the boxes. It can be helpful to bring a notepad with you when shopping for a stove, as it’ll help you keep track of what you like and don’t like. It’s essential to keep in mind that a stove is something.
After reading this blog, you should be in a position to find your perfect stove!
