Logburner Installation - Blog #Multifuel Stove

Worried about Air Pollution?

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:45:14 +0000

Modern log burners are cleaner burning

You might be surpised to know that UK stove manufacturers have been making Eco-compliant stoves since 2021, way before the deadline was set. As a consequence air quality has improved in the last couple of years. DEFRA still think that there is more to be done by stove manufacturers to make them even more efficient but the main problem is how the stove is used.

It's important to read the stove manual when you get it so that you can get the most out of your stove and keep the cost of logs and coal down.

Road transport is still creating more pollution than domestic burning so if you are worried about Air Pollution then it's time to get a new woodburner and an electric car!

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What size logburner do I need?

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:57:08 +0000

Stove Output Calculator

Enter your room size to estimate the stove output you need.

Room length (metres)Room width (metres)Room height (metres)Insulation level

Try our Stove Output Calculator

You will need to measure your room left to right and importantly up also. Then enter the figures in to the boxes below.

Choose a logburner

Tips for Log Burner Users

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:46:28 +0000

Regular Maintenance is key

These days, more than ever before, with the constant rise of the cost of living; we need to be careful with money but we also need to keep warm. Your stove burns less wood and produces less harmful gases when it's properly looked after, so keep it in tip-top condition.
No-one enjoys breathing in dirty air so make sure the fuel you use is of good quality also. Look for the Woodsure label on your fuel.

As the price of energy increases, a log burner will save you money on gas and electric bills. Should there be a power cut, you will still have a source of heat and can also use the top of your burner for cooking. Log burners need a little bit of care and attention every year however, to keep them running optimally.

On this page you will find ways of saving money and preparing safely for Winter.

Book a Chimney Sweep

Best to book in April to July, after you stop using your fire for the summer months. Helps stop soot in the chimney mixing with the water in the atmosphere and causing acidic corrosion to your flue or chimney and saves the stress of finding a chimney sweep in the run up to Christmas. Sweeps are quieter in the summer months and often will offer a discount to attract your business.

Check CO Alarm

The fire service recommend that you get your chimney swept, at least, once per year as this helps prevent dangerous chimney fires. The sweep will check your CO Alarm - that it is correctly positioned; conforms to the British Standard and that it is still working.

Check your Log Burner

Inside - Check the grate and fire bricks that line the inside of the stove are not in need of repair, cracks of over 2mm wide indicate that the fire bricks may need changing.

Outside - Check the glass and rope around the door seal. If they are damaged; extra air will enter and unnecessary fuel will be burnt. Clean your glass with industry standard cleaning fluid but use sparingly. Take a good look at the metal box of your stove, make sure there is no rust or corrosion and that you can only see the flames through the window and not through any gaps or holes. Stop using immediately if this is the case.

Flue pipe - Check the pipe coming out of the stove still has a good seal so that you are sure it hasn't moved or is coming loose. Check that it is not rusty, that there is no creosote or dried tar around the base of the pipe.

Check Your Chimney

Take a look outside at the top of your chimney or flue. If you do not have a cowl on top of the pot or pipe system then consider having one fitted.

Cowls stop birds from nesting in the flue and also stop rain getting in. Water which creates creosote when mixed with soot, and sets hard in your flue and is extremely difficult to remove.

Creosote can block your cowl if your wood has a high moisture content and releases water whilst burning. [more info on cowls]

Check Your Accessories

Check Logs - Use a moisture meter to check that your wood is seasoned properly. Unseasoned wood creates lots of dense smoke which causes air pollution. It can fill your chimney or flue with a sticky tar that sets like glass and which could start a chimney fire.
Check Smoke Alarm - You should have two types of alarms in your property. Check them both regularly and remember to replace the batteries when necessary. To book a free home fire safety check with the Fire Service visit www.fireservice.co.uk.
Check fire-proof gloves - Essential when using your log burner, if they are damaged or wearing thin, buy more. Most new stoves come with a glove.

Stock up on fuel & kindling

Autumn is a great time for collecting dry twigs that have fallen off the trees. These make excellent and free kindling so stock up early. Also keep a store of newspapers and old bills, so that you can burn them to start off your fire.

Make kindling logs out of cardboard packaging and string. The centre cylinder of bamboo toilet rolls burn brilliantly. Bits of lint from the tumble dryer are very useful for starting the fire so store them up for the winter.

Logs also have been known to rise in price after the burning season starts, because of high demand, so fill up your log store early. It's important to burn seasoned wood only, as wood that has not dried out properly will coat your chimney lining with flammable residue that can cause a chimney fire.

Consider Buying...

Read your stove manual

It's easy to forget how your stove works over the summer break from using it. So remind yourself how to get the best out of your stove. You need to get your logburner burning really hot before reducing the fuel intake. This is crucial to efficient burning as the logs need a hot bed of ashes to keep igniting fresh logs and this can only be done by burning 5 or 6 logs to start with to get it prepared.

Once burning in the 'Optimal Zone' you can add less fuel as your stove will then be burning efficiently. If you keep your fire small, you will find that your wood is burning too quickly and may not give out as much heat as expected, as it is escaping up the chimney.

Your manual will explain how best to light, re-fill and how much fuelyour stove is designed to burn. Most new logburners have manuals that can be downloaded from the internet.

Stove Pipe Thermometer

These are an excellent visual guide to help you keep your fire burning at its most efficient temperature.

Modern Stove

If yours is in need of a lot of refurbishment then check the technical specifications for it. If it doesn't meet current emission ratings then won't be able to reinstall it.

Moisture Meter

Use to check whether the wood that you want to burn is dry enough. Wet and unseasoned wood will produce a lot of smoke and air pollution and you could incur a fine in some counties.

More Tips

Gallery : Freestanding Log Burners

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:45:26 +0000

Gallery Photo's

Here is our gallery of freestanding woodburners and multi-fuel stoves fitted over the years.
Take a look at our testimonial page to see what our customers think of us.

Click for our current log burner installation offers.

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Can you lower the price?

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:43:16 +0000

We don't aim to be the cheapest....

... but we do aim to buy quality goods and parts that will last.

We sometimes get asked whether we can lower the price on our quote, and there will always be another company who can do it cheaper than us.
We take pride in our work and our existing customers will vouch for that.
They are the ones that have recommended us to friends and family, and some have returned after moving house to have a second or third installation!

Find out what our customers say about us.

What we ask our customers to think about is how long the parts on the cheaper quote will last.
You may be able to save money now and not have to wait any longer for your lovely new logburner but if your liner degrades faster because it has not been tested at realistic temperatures, or if you have been sold a liner suitable for wood or gas and you intend to burn coal, then you could find that you are having to replace it within 3 to 5 years.

You could save money on the cowling and buy mild steel instead of stainless, but again, once open to the elements and soot, this kind of steel will soon need replacing. The cowl is usually how the liner is held securely in place, so once the cowl deteriorates, the fixings could release the liner so that it drops and gets damaged along the way. A damaged cowl could allow birds and vermin to nest in your flue (they like it warm) and this could pose a serious health risk if the fumes can’t escape properly.

That’s why we use HETAS approved flexible liner and associated parts which come with a life expectancy of around 20 – 35 years.
We also won’t recommend 316/316 liner if we think you are likely to burn smokeless fuel and we always give customers a free stove pipe thermometer when purchasing a stove through us.

With the banning of regular house coal in May 2021 customers are now forced to burn smokeless coal on their multifuel stoves, much of which contains acidic particles ( that create acidic rain ) that can eat through a 316/316 liner in a matter of years.

You could save money by excavating the opening yourself and ordering and fitting the hearth before we come.
When doing this remember to arrange for your free survey when your work is complete, otherwise we will need to revisit to check what you have done.
It could be a false economy however, as if the opening is not large enough or is unsafe, we will then have to delay your installation possibly by weeks, as our calendar will only have allowed for the one visit, and more may be needed to correct the work, which will certainly incur more labour costs.

The same goes for the hearth. If it is not the correct size, thickness or material as required by building regulations, we will not be able to continue until a new hearth is fitted and we would still have to charge for the wasted day.
This is why we charge for an inspection visit to make sure that you are ready to go ahead.

Also, think about whether you want to use a company that is not registered with HETAS or do it yourself.
If you do this you will have to liaise with building control to obtain planning permission beforehand and to have the installation checked when complete. You will be using people who have not been through the HETAS training and inspection process and have no guarantee that they will leave you with a safe installation. They also may not be around in a few months time to correct any problems you may have, or faults with the parts of appliance or installation.

The same is true of any installation company so choosing a firm registered at Companies House who are VAT registered with a minimum of £2 million in public liability insurance, and who have over 20 years experience, has got to put your mind at ease. Book a quote visit today.

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Which is the Greenest Log burner?

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:49:23 +0000

Carbon Footprint of Logburners

Log burning stoves are made using iron, steel or both. Iron takes a long time to heat up and conversely a long time to cool down, so releases the heat into your room slowly. Steel is the opposite, so burners with both iron and steel are a popular combination. Most have a viewing window made of ceramic glass in the door(s) and insulating firebricks made of vermiculite board on the inside. They are usually sprayed with heatproof paint and sometimes enamelled.

Log burners are made around the world to varying different standards. You usually get what you pay for, so cheaper stoves may not last as long as a more expensive stove.

Assembled outside UK - Bigger Carbon Footprint

Cheaper stoves are cast and assembled overseas in order to keep prices down. Stoves that are cast and assembled and then shipped back to the UK have the largest carbon footprint.

Assembled in UK - Smaller Carbon Footprint

Log burners that are cast overseas and then put together in the UK have a smaller carbon footprint. Stoves that are cast / manufactured and assembled in the UK have the smallest carbon footprint.

On this page we take a look at the information provided by some stove manufacturers and attempt to compare their 'green' credentials so that you can make an informed choice when buying your wood burner or multifuel stove. Note that information regarding transportation within the UK has not been included due to a lack of forthcoming information.

Clear Skies Act

The Clear Skies logo shows you how clean burning a new stove is but does not ( yet ) take into account how much pollution went into the making and shipping of the stove.

List of Best Manufacturers

( when comparing Carbon Footprint )

We have contacted lots of UK stove manufacturers, to try to compare the carbon footprint of stoves that we install, and have found so that 100% steel stoves that are made in the UK have the lowest footprint.

Companies that have been currently forthcoming with information are to the left. Please bear in mind we are still collating information and awaiting responses. To be kinder to the planet you also need to be avoiding coal and only buying wood that is seasoned properly and is either from UK tree surgeons or sustainable forests.

BEST

AGA stoves

Manufactured : UK. Steel made in Port Talbot, Wales. Iron doors cast in the West Midlands.
Assembled : UK.

Other notes : Fireboards and Heat Proof Paint are manufactured in the UK. Ceramic Glass is imported.

Price range : £936 to £2200+

Link to website : https://www.agaliving.com/products/catalog/stoves

Score : 2 (= very good)

TOP 2

Firebelly stoves

Manufactured : All stoves manufactured usuing steel sourced in UK
Assembled : handbuilt in Yorkshire.

Other notes : Fireboards, Ceramic Glass and Heat Proof Paint sourced in UK

Price range : £1250 to £4000 -
link to website : https://firebellystoves.com/

Score : 2 (= excellent)

TOP 3

Charnwood stoves

Manufactured : Isle of Wight using British materials as much as possible.
Assembled : Isle of Wight

Other notes : Fireboards sourced in the UK; Ceramic Glass imported from Germany, EU and Heat Proof Paint sourced from Belgium, EU.

Price range : £1140 to £4,200
Link to website : https://www.charnwood.com/stoves/

Score : 3 (= good)

TOP 4

Oakleaf

Manufactured : Asia
Assembled : Asia - shipped to UK fully assembled

Other notes : Fireboards, Ceramic Glass and Heat Proof Paint sourced Asia

Offsetting: Planting of trees every month. Full electric and hybrid vehicles in fleet. Using paper packaging material and paper tape to reduce carbon footprint.

Price range : £600 to £1500 : https://oakleafstoves.com/

Score : 8
(= medium carbon footprint)

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Choosing a Log burner

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:41:26 +0000

How to choose what you need

Don't rush into buying a wood stove solely because you like the look of it, your friend is getting rid of one or because it is super cheap or on special offer. If an incorrect appliance is purchased, it cannot be certified as safe to use. Don't panic and do take your time to make the correct choice.

Lack of planning usually means having to buy extra materials or parts and sometimes having to send appliances back or sell them privately. This can often turn a bargain into an expense. We can often get a discount for you on the price that you see whilst browsing shopping websites, so it's wise to book a survey before actually buying your woodburner.

Get a few comparison quotes but make sure the items are like-for-like. Some installers have been known to fit a 316 liner to a multifuel stove just to save money and win the job. But this liner is suitable for burning wood only and may only last 3-5 years if you are burning coal on it.

Due to high demand and slow processing times at Customs for stoves coming from overseas, stock levels of wood stoves has been wildly fluctuating over the last 18 months. Don't let low stock pressure you into a purchase. There are many other similar stoves out there and bargains to be had if you are flexible on looks.

If you are interested in buying British and reducing your carbon footprint, then take a look at our brand comparison page.

For great deals on installation of a wood burner or multifuel stove plus flexible liner kit and commisioning see our Spring/ Summer Sale

Research your woodburner installation

Get your woodburner installation right by researching what is on the market, whilst knowing exactly what you need. Start planning around March time so that there is plenty of stock available when you are buying, and if the model you prefer is not instock, you are happy to wait a few weeks or months because the weather is nice and you don't need to have the heating on.

Compare quotes making sure that the liner and kit are comparable. 316 liner is not the same as 904 liner and will last around 3-5 years if you burn coal rather than 35 years for 904. Sometimes buying the cheapest is not the best solution.

Summer is a quieter time for installers and stove retailers, so you may find more special offers in the warmer months that save you money. Take a look at our current multi-fuel burner installation special offer and our wood burner installation offer.

Finding the right log burner

There are thousands of burners to choose from, so here are some tips to help you narrow down the search.
Before buying work out if you need a woodburner or multifuel stove, double sided or stove with a back boiler, pellet stove or regular stove; twin wall or chimney?

Jargon explained

If there are words that you don't understand or want to clarify, take a look at our animation explaining the technical names of the different parts of your fireplace.

Things to consider

Are you going to burn logs, coal or both?

Do you want to heat the whole house or just one or two rooms?
*

Is there enough room for a freestanding stove?

Do you want a colourful stove?

How often do you want to add fuel to the fire?

Can you use your existing fireplace or chimney ?

What kilowattage is suitable for your room?
*

Do you want black or silver twin wall?

Measure your chamber

Don't buy a stove that fills your opening. Buy one at least 10cm smaller than the opening on each side. Check the specifications in the manual online to find out how much gap it should have around it for air flow. Too small a gap means it will not meet building regulations, and you will have a warm wall rather than a warm room...

How eco-friendly are you?

Wood stoves are better for the environment than multi-fuel stoves that burn both wood and coal. Installation of 1 woodburner is also cheaper, although the method is the same. Different methods of heating produce different environmental impact. Look for a high efficiency rating around 80% or better , A or better on the energy label and a Clear Skies mark of 3 or above. Some manufacturers import to the UK raising the carbon footprint of your purchase.

Measure your room

Don't buy a stove that is too hot for your room. 4 to 5kW is good enough for the average living room. Larger than this will mean fitting a permanently open air vent to an external wall, and is required by building regulations. Use a Stove Output Calculator to work out the kilowattage (kW) that you need.

Types of stove - Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves might not be as aesthetically pleasing but need less attention and can heat your whole house with less effort. They usually need a twin wall flue and are incredibly efficient, so save you lots of money on fuel. The pellets they burn are a waste product from saw mills so very environmentally friendly.

Types of Stove - Freestanding/ Inset
If you don't have a chimney you will be needing a stove raised off the ground for ease of use and better aesthetics'. Look for one with a log store underneath and of course, you will be needing a twin walled flue. Some log burners and multi-fuel stoves can also be attached to radiators. For this you will also need a plumber.

Types of Stove - Gas / Electric / Bio-ethanol
Woodburner style gas fires and electric fires are less messy than their real counterparts but the flame is always fake. Bio-ethanol fires do not need a flue fitting and are great for topping up the heat in a small room. They have a real flame and the liquid fuel is made from recycled products. They cannot be topped up whilst hot and usually give out 1kW to 2kW of heat.

Eco Considerations

Making Greener Choices

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:41:26 +0000

Choosing a logburner

Because of the Clean Air Act of 2019 (which is constantly under revision), DEFRA and the government believe that the 'greenest' stoves are the ones that are Eco-design ready with A or A+ energy labels. These stoves are starting to be labelled as 3 and above on the CleanSkies scale.

You can also consider how far the stove has travelled or how large is its carbon footprint. There are no current bodies looking into this so we believe that the 'greenest' options here are stoves made in the UK. 100% steel stoves that are made in the UK have the lowest footprint but most are made of a mixture of steel and cast iron. Compare logburner manufacturers.

We have contacted lots of UK stove manufacturers, to try to compare the carbon footprint of stoves that we install, and have found so that 100% steel stoves that are made in the UK have the lowest footprint. For more information visit our greener choices page.

Companies that have been currently forthcoming with information are to the left. Please bear in mind we are still collating information and awaiting responses. To be kinder to the planet you also need to be avoiding coal and only buying wood that is seasoned properly and is either from UK tree surgeons or sustainable forests.

New Labelling

There are a few new labelling systems that you will see whilst browsing for wood burners and multifuel stoves. These are to help you compare and choose appliances but can be confusing if the shopping websites don't use them.

HETAS Cleaner Choice symbol indicates a clean burning appliance for your wood stove, multi-fuel or bio-mass installation. The HETAS Cleaner Choice Approval Scheme is unique in that HETAS is a third party independent and impartial certification body that relies on first-hand review of test data from in checking that each appliance meets, and often, exceeds some of the most stringent limits set by tested standards and test methods.

Clean Skies Mark symbol indicates the stove has met the standards of Eco-design and exceeded them. Because of this a new labelling scheme is in place to clearly show consumers when comparing woodburners.

Level 5 - the best rating. The woodburner is at least 15% more efficient and has 15% less emissions than level 4 stoves. Also DEFRA approved.
Level 4 - Stove has 15 % improvement on level 3 appliances. Also DEFRA approved.
Level 3 - Meets Eco-design standards and is DEFRA approved.
Level 2 - Meets Eco-design standards (just)

Eco-design Compliant means that a woodburner has met the 5 regulation requirements for emissions and efficiency.

These requirements are much stricter than ever before, even for DEFRA approved models. All newly manufactured stoves must meet these standards since 2020. Second hand stoves are unlikely to be Eco-compliant. Visit the Stove Industry Alliance website for more information. The SIA are an association of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, advisory/test house bodies, sweep associations and other parties that exists to promote and explain the benefits of wood-burning stoves and biomass appliances.

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