Log burners

THINKING OF INVESTING IN A NEW WOOD-BURNING STOVE THIS YEAR? OUR GUIDE WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR HOME...

- 

Are you looking to replace an open fire with a more efficient way of heating your home? Or maybe you're keen to add an additional form of heating over the colder months?

As well as providing an efficient form of heating, a wood-burning stove adds style, character and a focal point. With its combination of heat and the visual impact of roaring flames, there's nothing better when it's cold outside than snuggling up in front of one...

WHAT TYPES ARE THERE?

Wood burners are self-contained heating appliances designed to produce heat inside your home by burning wood.

The fire is contained in the body of the stove, which is usually made from steel or cast iron. The heat created radiates into the surrounding space. Smoke created by the fire leaves the body of the stove through a flue that leads to the house's chimney. There are several types of stove to choose from:

Radiant stoves transmit heat through the glass door and the stove's body to the air surrounding it. 'The closer you are to a radiant stove, the warmer it will feel, making these models ideal for localised space heating,' says Erica Malkin, communications manager at Stove Industry Alliance.

Convection stoves are designed with a secondary outer layer that clads the stove's body, and cool air is drawn into the convection layer. This air heats up as it rises within the stove and then flows out into the room. 'These stoves are well suited to larger rooms with high ceilings and where a high heat output is required,' says Erica.