Woodburner FAQ
1Do I need an existing chimney to use a woodburner?
Not at all. It is commonplace to install woodurners into properties without a chimney. It will require taking the flue out through an external wall or roof.
2Should I buy a conventional woodburner or a multi fuel stove?
The most common question we get asked. The majority of customers to for a conventional woodburner as wood is carbon neutral, environmentally friendly and generally keeps your appliance cleaner. Multi fuel can still burn wood but is also capable of burning coal and other smokeless fuels. This offers more flexibility in terms of fuel costs and a smokeless install is ideally suited to people living in inner city built up areas. Both systems have advantages and is very much down to personal preference. Our expert team are best based to answer any questions you may have and guide you in the right choice for you
3I own an old woodburner is it worth upgrading?
Being an existing woodburner owner you will no doubt have enjoyed many years of the benefits of ownership. A properly maintained system will last the test of time. Existing owners generally come to see us for one of two reasons. Firstly over time fashions and styles change. Although woodburners generally have a traditional look and feel there is no doubting the sleek style of some of the products we are today. If your older unit is starting to look a little tired then what better way to give the room a fresh look and feel. The second reason is that over time mainly driven by technology and regulation the efficiency of woodburners has gone from relatively poor to in excess of 80℅. Clearly this provides a cost benefit to the owner and the environment. If you are considering a new woodburner then most install issues will already have been sorted. We will endeavour when suitable to use existing parts so as to keep your spend down.
4Which brand of woodburner should I buy?
WFS only promote woodburners and stove brands that we trust to deliver value and performance for our customers. The choice of brand and then woodburner is ultimately driven by budget. There are woodburners that we know and trust from various suppliers and can guide you through with buying advice.
5Is running a woodburner cheaper than electric or gas?
Based on the latest energy caps in place as of December 2022 in the Uk a woodburner would cut your energy bills by up to 50%. This depends on a number of factors such as energy type, size of building, amount of usage. Overall the answer is an overwhelming yes.
6How often should I have my chimney swept?
All chimneys should be swept by a competent professional at least annually. A chimney that hasn't been swept will have less draw and will degrade the performance of your woodburner.
7Can I install the woodburner myself?
A woodburner is an extremely safe appliance to use but ultimately is a heat source and if not installed correctly can be dangerous even life threatening. WFS are Hetas qualified and registered and would highly recommend any potential buyer of a woodburner to use a Hetas registered installer.
8How long does an install take?
This will depend upon the complexity involved. For a straightforward installation we would aim to have it installed together with the relevant testing within one day. However for some more complex buildings this is not practical but we always advise this at the site survey stage.
9Does my existing chimney need a flue liner?
In the vast majority of cases yes it will. The exception to this being if it is less than 10" in diameter, is not an external wall and is gas tight. In these circumstances we can connect to the existing flue.
10What size woodburner do I need?
Our qualified engineers are best placed to give you an accurate answer on this as there are many factors that influence the calculations. However for a rough estimate if you take the height x width x length of your room and then divide by 14 this is a good guide. For example an 8m x 4m x 2m room = 64m, divide this by 14 = 4.57kw.
11What type of wood should i burn?
The type of wood you burn dramaticaly affects the heat, type of flame and length of burn. The wood should be dried, preferrably kiln dried to enhance burning properties. Wet wood does not burn well at all and will create unwanted mess. Hardwood such as ash or beech burns a lot better than softwaood such as pine but comes at a price difference.