It is essential that the stove you choose will be appropriate for the amount of heat output for the area its will heat. Another thing to consider is the installation type, if the stove is going into a chamber, it will need sufficient clearance as per regulation.

Other factors will need to be taken into account. i.e. the insulation value of the walls, whether the windows are double or single glazed or if you have high or vaulted ceilings.

There are calculations that can be worked out to determine the average heat output required for the area. And through years of experience, the HETAS engineers we recommend will be able to determine the size of stove required.

It is recommended that solid fuel appliances be installed by Approved professionals, such as a HETAS installer. They are fully approved, and insured to carry out such works, and can sign off installation in accordance with Building regulations.

Alternatively if you are competent to carry out the works yourself, then you can install the stove, but is will need to be signed off through Building regs, which can prove at times to be costly and time consuming. So for peace of mind it is easier to use a HETAS installer.

Yes, you will likely need a chimney liner for safety and efficiency, especially for older chimneys or if installing a modern appliance like a wood-burning stove. A liner creates a sealed, direct path for smoke, protecting the chimney from corrosion and your home from carbon monoxide and fire hazards. You should have your chimney professionally inspected to determine if a liner is necessary.

If your property does not have a chimney or one that can be used for the purpose of installing a solid fuel stove, the alternative option is to go for a Twin Wall Flue System.

A twin wall flue system is a double-walled, insulated metal chimney system used for safely venting smoke and exhaust gases from appliances like wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and boilers, especially in homes without an existing brick chimney. It consists of an inner stainless steel pipe, a layer of insulation (usually rock wool), and an outer stainless steel casing, which allows for safer installation near combustible materials and provides greater efficiency by keeping gases hot.

No, planning permission is generally not required for a twin wall flue system, but you must comply with Building Regulations, and you may need permission if your property is listed or in a special designated area, especially if the flue is on the front of the house. A HETAS-registered installer can self-certify the work to meet Building Regulations, or you’ll need to notify the local authority’s Building Control service. 

A wood burner is designed only for wood, featuring a flat base for a wood-on-ash bed, while a multi-fuel stove has a raised grate and ash pan, allowing it to burn wood, smokeless coal, and other solid fuels. Multi-fuel stoves offer versatility but can be less efficient for wood compared to wood-only stoves, whereas wood burners are considered more environmentally friendly when using sustainably sourced wood. 

A stove can only perform as well as the fuel that it is given. Wood burning stoves can only burn wood, and there are many types of wood available on the market. It is ideal to use wood that is ether seasoned or dried, and has a low moisture content (20% or lower). Wood that is well seasoned and dried will burn hotter and cause less harm to the stove compared with moist logs, which overtime will produce build-ups of creosote and other harmful toxins.

With multi-fuel you have the option to burn lots of other fuels. But mostly is advised to burn approved fuels, such as, Smokeless Coal, and products that are natural and do not contain chemicals.

Manufactures will often list in their manuals what they recommend to burn on the stoves. It is advisable to follow this as they are the ones who have not only designed and built the stove but also tested it stringently to see how well it burns with certain fuels.

Yes, you will need a non-combustible hearth if you are having a solid fuel stove installed. Your stove will require the door to be opened when lighting and refuelling, therefore, it is essential that the hearth is non-combustible, to ensure there are no issues when hot ash or embers fall on to it.

We can advise you on the correct type of hearth required from the thickness and the depth, which comply with the regulations in place.

‘Smoke Controlled Area’ is a council-designated region where it is illegal to emit smoke from a chimney unless it comes from an exempt appliance or authorised fuel, with the goal of reducing air pollution. In an SCA, you must not use unauthorised fuels like wood in a standard open fire or stove. To check if an area is an SCA, you can use the interactive map on the GOV.UK website.

‘DEFRA Approved’ means a wood-burning stove has met the strict environmental emission standards set by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to allow it to be used legally in a Smoke Control Area. These stoves are modified to prevent their air supply from being cut off completely, ensuring that wood burns more efficiently, producing less smoke and fewer pollutants than older or non-approved stoves.

The HETAS engineer who comes out to survey the property will base the need of an air vent on the size of the room, aeration, and the size of the stove. Generally, stoves with an output higher than 5kW tend to have the need to have an air vent in the room, to add extra ventilation due to a higher output of heat from the stove.

Alternatively, if you want extra ventilation, then an air vent can be installed, regardless of the kW.

‘Ecodesign approved’ means a product, often a wood-burning stove, meets strict European and UK regulations for seasonal efficiency and emission limits for Particulate Matter (PM), Organic Gaseous Compounds (OGC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), which came into force in the UK in 2022. These regulations ensure a product has a lower environmental impact and is more fuel-efficient, with benefits including reduced air pollution and fuel costs.

Though it is recommended there is no compulsory law that states you have to upgrade your existing stove. If your stove was fitted before 2022, then this regulation does not apply. The new regulations in place are for the future installations of stoves which do need to be Eco-Design Approved.

This would need to be done Annually, not just to maintain the health of the appliance and chimney/liner or flue system, but also to keep in line with any warranties you have with your chosen stove or flue system.

It is a requirement to keep a record of each sweep and service carried out by an approved company. And is also useful to have for any Insurances you may have in place.

Again, this is recommended to be done Annually, the HETAS engineers who can carry out servicing will do a thorough check on the stove and flue system if there is one in place. They will check all aspects including body condition, and perishable spares inside the stoves. If parts are required to be changed, they can replace these for you, which forms as part of the service.

Conventional chimneys rely on the natural circulation of heated air to expel the products of combustion up your chimney and can work with either open or glass-fronted fires. Air for combustion is supplied from the room the gas fire or stove is installed in.

Balanced flues work in conjunction with glass-fronted fires only. Here the appliance is sealed from the room in which it is installed and a twin-wall pipe vents directly outdoors. Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of your property. Depending upon the fire or stove selected, the twin-walled pipe may exit horizontally through an external wall or vertically through the roof.

A GASAFE engineer would usually be recommended to inspect a property when considering to have a gas fire. They would like at the mains gas, and then advise on works that can be done to a gas run, whereby the gas pipe would be extended and run along to the area its required. This would then allow for an appliance to be installed in the area of your choosing.

Most gas fires or stoves are available in LPG (liquid gas or propane) versions so you can operate them from either bottled gas or from a larger tank in the garden. LPG is readily available in most rural areas. Find out more information about LPG and Natural Gas.

Before you purchase your gas fire or stove, you should consider your home’s suitability for gas. LPG is available in many areas of the UK, but check your supplier choices and also consider your delivery and storage options.

Building regulations state that a hearth is required for wood or gas-powered fires, it must be made from a non-combustible material to protect the interior flooring from heat and embers.

Tall gas stoves do have a little more choice in terms of the thickness of the hearth, As the heat transfer is far less due to the height of the stove, options like glass hearths are possible.

Since October 2022, fitting a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector has been a building regulations requirement when installing or replacing a gas fire or stove. Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas, therefore undetectable. The stealthy nature of CO is why it’s vital to ensure that you have a detector fitted when installing a gas fire or wood-burning stove.

Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in all rooms where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance. These include boilers, fires (including open fires), gas or paraffin heaters, stoves or a flue.

It is recommended to have your gas fire serviced at least once a year. Some manufacturers may have different guidelines based on the type of appliance. But the best way to check is to find your appliance manual to see what is recommended. A service must be carried out by a GASSAFE Engineer.

Every household is different in terms of the gas they use, the appliances they have, and the companies they are with. To find out what your personal running costs are, you would need to first identify the input rating (kW) of your gas fire or stove. Find out how much you pay for your gas per kWh. You can do this by checking your last gas bill or contacting your gas provider. Once you have  this information you can now calculate the cost of running your gas fire or stove per hour.

Yes, you can install a electric fire. Majority of the freestanding or wall mounted models do not require much work involved or the use of an engineer to install them. They simply have a power lead with plug which is plugged into a socket and the fire is ready to be used.

Inset or media wall fires may require more help to install them as they are heavier and do often require some set up.

You can look into getting an electrician in a socket for the area you are looking to have your new electric fire. They will be able to do the wiring and work in a new socket as per your needs.

It is recommended to check the fire every few years. If is it not specified otherwise by the manufacturer of the model. Do a thorough safety check annually. This picks up any potential issues like loose connections or damaged cables. Clean the glass screen and fuel bed regularly as per the instructions. Built-up dust diminishes the visual effects.

You do not need specific certification for the appliance of an electric fire, as it must meet BS EN 60335 safety standards to be sold, but the installation of an electric fire may require certification if it involves new electrical work, which would be confirmed by an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued by a qualified electrician to ensure the electrical circuit is safe and compliant with BS 7671 standards.

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