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Most homes are suitable to accommodate a stove, whether it is solid fuel, gas or electric. Solid fuel and gas stoves can work in a chimney breast for older properties, or if the property does not have a flue system in place already or is a ‘new build’ then you will likely require a Twin Wall flue system in colours Black or Silver. Twin wall flue systems can run internally up through the floors of the property then out of the roof, or up the side of an external wall that the stove is fitted against.

Stove heat output is measured in KW (Kilowatts). The most common KW output is 5, as this output suits most homes and requirements. There is a calculation which you can do to give you an idea (Length x Width x Hight Metres divided by 12). It is important to keep In mind though that you need the physical size of the stove to also work proportionally to the opening that will accommodate the stove. The stove does not want to look lost in the opening or crammed in with hardly any space around it.

Most manufacturers make stoves from steel which varies in thickness and sometimes you will find the stove body made from steel with a cast iron door. Older stoves are usually fully made from cast iron and then bolted together with rope gasket in between the joints.

Steel stoves heat up faster and start heating the room faster, but do not retain heat as well when the fire goes out. Cast iron on the other hand takes longer to heat up and kick heat out but retains heat longer after the fire has gone out. Cast iron can crack which can render the stove a write off whereas it is exceptionally rare for a steel stove to do this. Steel stoves are welded too which makes them airtight and are a lot more controllable as there are no joints in the stove body which will leak air unlike cast iron made stoves.

This is an age-old question, which we get asked a lot. Multifuel stoves have the option to burn wood OR smokeless coal (NOT HOUSE COAL!) which gives you flexibility of course. We tend to find that people that live in ex coal mining communities prefer to use smokeless coal as their main fuel, where as people who live in cities like York, Harrogate and Selby prefer wood-based stoves. Smokeless coal can kick out a ferocious amount of heat, which can damage your appliance if not burnt in small amounts. People often state they want the fire to ‘stay in overnight’ which we strongly protest against. If you bank your stove up with coal, close all the air vents down then you will just soot up the flue system very quickly, tar up the stove and just belch out thick smoke for the entire time. In areas like York, Harrogate and Selby (and all other DEFRA approved zones) it is exceptionally important you adhere to burning fuel correctly. You will just attract unwanted attention from the local council and probably fall out with neighbours! Dedicated woodburning stoves are usually more efficient, can burn just as hot with the correct wood anyway. Plus, smokeless coal prices are skyrocketing, but ultimately the choice is down to you, as you are the end user of the stove.

Almost all stoves manufactured in this day and age come DEFRA approved as standard as most built up areas like York, Harrogate and Selby are densely populated, meaning that poor air quality can negative effect on a large population, Having a stove that is DEFRA approved basically means that the air controls will always permanently stay open a very small amount even when you close the air controls down. This is to stop you slumbering the stove which in turn helps create less PM2.5 Matter and other nasty pollutants, helping us achieve a cleaner, greener world.

The worlds most efficient are Burley stoves. They boast exceptionally low pollutant levels, and have a catalytic converter built in most of their models to achieve such low emission results. Their factory that makes the stoves is powered by renewable solar energy! Calcaria Stoves stock the top the world’s top stove manufacturers such as Woodwarm, Chilli Penguin, Burley, Contura, Arada, Hunter, Avalon, Parkray Broseley, OER, and many more. We can also source stoves which you may see elsewhere, at a competitive price – just ask a member of staff.

No, certainly not from what we can see. With the government looking to reduce the UK’s emissions, the are squeezing every industry as much as they can to lower the carbon footprint overall. The problem our industry suffers with, is that a small minority of stove AND open fire users just use their appliance as an incinerator (like it people did in the 80s) and throw anything from potato peelings, plastic, and just general junk on. This does nothing apart from tar up the flue, put you at a huge risk of a chimney fire, and can contribute enough emissions to make up 300 clean stoves, which the media just blames stoves when this is far from the truth. Most stove users are responsible and have a conscience of the emissions they put into the air we breathe. Stick to good quality dried logs, preferably kiln dried, and low sulphur content smokeless coals. Do your bit for the environment and all our health and be a responsible stove owner. Say NO to being given free ‘fuel’ like skirting boards, tanalised wood, MDF offcuts and the like!

This is quite a tricky question. While adding another heat source which doubles up as an attractive focal point, the buyer may not be remotely interested in this, and want to change it. However, there is nothing cosier than seeing a beautiful real wood stove flickering away on a cold winter’s night. Having a stove fitted in my first new build home was helped the buyer make their mind up on purchasing my property!

In short – No. Unless you live in a conservation area, or your property has covenants. Calcaria stoves install stoves to all UK regulations as set out by HETAS. To be honest though, if you think that having a twin wall flue system installed will upset a neighbour or similar then go and have a chat with them, explain the procedure and what you plan.

All stoves and flue systems must be swept minimum once per year if burning wood only, or if burning smokeless fuels, then twice per year. The chimney sweep will usually sweep up through the stove (depending on model and access) and sweep the liner or twin wall flue system. It is imperative you use an accredited chimney sweep and will issue you a sweep certificate. Receipt of payment is not deemed a certificate. Keep the certificates safe as this will be required should you ever need to claim on any warranties. If you require a chimney sweep we recommend The Yorkshire Chimney sweep – 07392 426345.