|
Wood burner frequently asked questions
How much does a wood burner cost to run?
It depends very much on use. The burners I install are all
'dry back' i.e. they do not provide water heating as well so they
tend to be used less than 'wet back' burners. My personal use of a
5kW dry wood burner (a
Broseley eVolution 5, 85.5% efficient) installed in my lounge is that
£80 (or a ton
bag sometimes described as a cubic meter) of logs usually sees me
through the winter, however it is not my sole source of heating.
A cubic meter of hardwood logs contains about 1355 kWh of
energy at 20% moisture. A softwood meter about 1030 kWh. Costing per
kWh approximately 5.1-5.8 pence. Electricity is 12.6 pence per kWh. source:
www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk
The Brighton Log Centre in Stanmer Park are who I go to for logs.
www.brightonlogcentre.co.uk 01273 620489 07795 821916. Prices
are approximately
£88 a cubic meter. For coal and smokeless fuels
try
www.corralls.co.uk near Hove station.
You should also expect to pay a chimney sweep annually or more
frequently depending on the fuel and usage try Sean Wilson
www.thebrightonchimneysweep.co.uk.
To put this in context the average (small) house is estimated
to use about 10000 kWh of gas per annum. A medium house
approximately 20500 kWh.
How much does it cost to buy and install a wood burner, open
fire, inset burner etc.?
It can cost as much as you are willing to spend. The budget end
of the spectrum is probably best represented by
Machine Mart where
£300 can buy a reasonable stove.
Diligence International
in contrast retail some items at over
£20000.
Free installation quotes are available upon request, and
inspection but a starting price of
£350 is a reasonable expectation.
I'm really skint, who does really cheap burners that
are worth having?
If your looking at super cheap but reputable quality, other than
myself of
course, supply and fit from £685, try:
www.astove.co.uk for a selection of Amesti (Chilean made
contemporary styled), Sunrain (Chinese made traditional
styled) and Oxford (presumably Chinese made).
www.fireglowstoves.co.uk Chinese made stoves with clean lines,
I've fitted a couple and think they are exceptional for the price.
www.stovesareus.co.uk with something that looks very much like a
copy of the rather elegant Aarrow Acorn called a Pennine.
www.machinemart.co.uk probably the king of cheap burners
with nationwide showrooms and stock you can purchase on the day.
Brighton's Branch is just off the Vogue Gyratory on Lewes road.
What about local suppliers?
Obviously we would rather you bought from us our new showroom in
Hove is the biggest in Brighton and Hove.
everyone else in rough geographical order from Brighton:
www.brightonwoodburners.co.uk
in 253 Ditchling Road Brighton BN1 6JG
Suppliers of: Carron, Chilli Penguin, Ecozoom, Mendip,
Rais, Salamander (Hobbit) and Westfire stoves.
www.firestoresbrighton.com in 7 Dials, Brighton BN1 3JD
Suppliers of: Charnwood, Chesney,
Esse
,Morso, Mendip and Pevex (Bohemia).
www.smokehouse7dials.com
in 7 Dials, Brighton BN1 3TJ
www.bolneystoves.co.uk
in Hassocks BN6 9LD
Suppliers of: Aarrow, Contura,
Chesney, Gazco, Jotul,
Morso, Rika, Scan
and Stovax stoves.
Plumpton Green BN7 3BX
Suppliers of: Heta Scanline, Parkray, Firebelly, Invicta
and Hunter stoves.
www.gratefireplaces.co.uk in Portslade
BN41 1DG
Suppliers of: Capital Sirius, Percy Doughty (Firefox,
Tiger),
and Stovax stoves.
www.home-heat.net
in Ringmer Suppliers of: Gazco, Morso
,Stovax and Yeoman
stoves.
www.home-heat.net
in Ringmer Suppliers of: Gazco, Morso
,Stovax and Yeoman
stoves.
www.whsupplies.com
in Arundel BN18 0BH
Suppliers of: Aga, Austro Flamm, Barbas, Chesney,
Dovre, Rocal, Stovax and Yeoman stoves.
www.heatsolutions-sussex.co.uk
in Plumpton BN7 3DF
Suppliers of: Clearview stoves.
Suppliers of: Aga, Amesti,
Pevex (Bohemia), Carron, Charnwood,
Di Lusso, Dovre, Eco-Ideal, Firebelly, Franco
Belge, Heta Scanline, Hunter, Invicta, Jetmaster,
Jotul,
Logfire, Mendip, Morsų, Rais, Newman
Stoven, Nordpeis, Parkray, Saey, Salamander
(Hobbit), Stovax, Stuv, Villager, Vermont
Castings, Westfire, Woodwarm and
Yeoman stoves.
What about antique burners?
Try:
www.antiquefrenchstove.com
www.happystoves.co.uk
www.britainsheritage.co.uk
Antique stove FAQ
Are wood burning stoves safe?
If they are installed and used properly. There are some significant
dangers such as Carbon Monoxide, spitting and smoke. However the
average wood burner is a much safer (and efficient) option than an
open fire. If installed correctly and serviced regularly they are
safe.
Can any house with a chimney have a wood burner fitted?
Yes, with a few provisos. The hearth has be suitable (or made
so), the chimney has to suitable.
An inspection can usually
determine the matter quite quickly.
I have don't have chimney can I still have a burner?
Yes, many new build are built without chimneys and many older
houses often have had their chimney stacks removed. In such cases it
is often possible to utilise what remains of the stack or to build a
sectional twin wall stainless steel chimney for the burner to use.
See
www.hanoverbuilder.co.uk/chimney.php for more detailed
information.
How can burning wood be carbon neutral?
It isn't until you consider that if wood is replanted it
becomes so until it is again harvested and burnt on something like a
fifty year cycle. Trees left to rot
also release carbon so wood burning is considered to be carbon
neutral by Government, HETAS, the Solid Fuel Association and many
environmentalists.
What permissions are needed before or after fitting?
All new solid fuel installations since 1 April 2002 should be passed off by either a HETAS
certified engineer or with a notice from the council building
control department. Brighton & Hove council notices currently cost
£145.
Who are HETAS and what do they do?
HETAS are the organisation recognised by the government to
approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and associated
equipment and services, HETAS independently confirm by means of
testing manufacturers claims of appliance performance, heat output
and efficiency.
HETAS in conjunction with the Solid Fuel Association has
introduced a competent person's registration scheme. The objective
of this scheme is to ensure that any consumer wishing to have a new
appliance installed or an existing appliance serviced can contact a
competent engineer or company employing competent engineers. I am HETAS registered.
What is the significance of the kW rating of a stove?
In short it is the power of the appliance. The higher the kW the
more heat the stove is capable of emitting should it be
appropriately fuelled.
To produce a room temperature of around 21º/22º Celsius (70º
Fahrenheit), when the outside temperature is at 0º, you will need
about 1kW of heat for every 14 cubic metres of averagely insulated
space. 1kW is the equivalent of 1 bar of an electric fire.
Most rooms work quite happily with a 4-5kW appliance although if
a larger appliance is installed it can be used on a lower setting.
Stoves over 5kW also require clear air venting (usually achieved
with airbrick). For stoves with outputs over 5kW the free area
requirement of the vent is 550mm² per kW over and above 5kW. So an
8kW appliance would have a free air requirement of 1650mm².
To convert BTU (British Thermal Units) to kW multiply by
0.000293. To convert kW to BTU multiply by 3414.
Does the 'type' of stove make much of a difference to heat
output?
Yes and no. Heat produced by 'dry back' stoves can percolate into
the room via three methods, convection, conduction and radiation.
Convection is the quickest way you will feel the heat, however
most stoves are not convector stoves. Radiation through the glass
takes about 15 minutes before it is significant and conduction (air
touching the stove casing and being warmed) will take a similar
period of time.
If the stove is an inset burner it has less opportunity to
conduct by virtue of it being embedded in masonry. However most
inset stoves act like masonry heaters and often put out heat for a
longer period of time due to storing energy in their surrounding
brickwork.
So output is best measured by the stove's efficiency rating,
however when you feel that output and for how long you will feel
that output, is largely determined by the stove type.
How efficient are open fires, wood stoves, inset room heaters
etc.?
HETAS and the Solid Fuel Association set minimum efficiency
standards for all new appliances sold in the UK. Similar bodies
operate across the EU. Open fires minimum is 37%, freestanding stoves minimum is 65%.
Old or antique appliances may have significantly lower
efficiency. All new appliances should come with documentation that
states their efficiency rating.
Inglenook fireplaces for all their popularity can actually have a
negative effect on heating a room, this can be remedied with the
installation of a stove. 'Dog basket' fires are estimated to have a
10-15% efficiency.
Approximate efficiencies |
Solar panels |
15% |
Cars |
25% |
Power stations |
40% |
Gas condensing boilers |
up to
80% |
Wood stoves |
65%-89.1% |
Open fires |
37% |
Dog basket fires |
10-15% |
Inglenook fireplaces |
negative overall effect |
source:
www.soliftec.com |
The stove with the world's highest claimed efficiency is the
Burley
Debdale 9104 which has an 89.8% efficiency.
It can be supplied in the Brighton & Hove area by
Sean Wilson the Brighton Chimney Sweep and fitted by myself for under
£995.
See the Wood
burner efficiency page for more in-depth information.
I have an antique appliance how do you prove efficiency and
certificate that?
These can be a significant problem particularly if the provenance
is unknown. If your home is in a conservation area some leeway on
the regulations is permitted and usually a route can be found.
What is the best fuel to burn?
It depends on your criteria. If sustainability is your motivator,
wood is sustainable and carbon neutral. If kW per kg is all
important not much is better than Ecoal or Phurnacite. If cost is
your criteria coal prices are now below that of mains gas.
Fuel |
kW/kg |
|
Hardwoods
@ 20% moisture |
up to 4.5 (approx) |
Ash |
4.1 |
Beech |
4.3 |
Oak |
4.5 |
Softwoods
@ 20% moisture |
up to 2.5 (approx) |
Anthracite coal |
9 upwards |
Coke |
8.2 |
House coal |
7.5 (approx) |
Turf or peat |
4.0 |
Smokeless fuels |
kW/kg |
Made by |
Ancit |
8.97 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Cosycoke |
8.72 |
Monckton Coke & Chemical Co Ltd. |
Ecoal |
9.16 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Homefire |
8.96 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Homefire Ovals |
8.91 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Phurnacite |
9.11 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Taybrite |
8.4 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Stoveheat Premium |
9.11 |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
It is important to burn the appropriate fuel for your appliance.
For more on smokeless fuels click here. For
more on fire woods click here.
What is a 'smoke test'?
There are two 'smoke tests' commonly performed during and after
installation of new burners and servicing of old appliances. The
first test has a smoke pellet lit in the firebox of the appliance
and more correctly should be termed the 'smoke draw test' to verify
the draw of the appliance is sufficient to evacuate the smoke from
the firebox. The second test is the 'balloon' test, in which a
pellet is ignited and the chimney is sealed in order to verify the
chimney's ability to hold the smoke for a period of time.
My glass fronted wood burner doesn't stay clean why is this?
It is probably because combustible materials are falling in front
of the 'fire dogs' (the metal bar(s) intended to keep the fire from
touching the glass), and overwhelming the 'hot air curtain' that
most burners use to keep the glass free from soot. Build your fire
more conservatively and further back and this should not be a
problem.
My glass still soots up how do I get it clean?
When cold, use Mr Muscle or other foaming oven cleaner for about
20 minutes, then wipe clean with warm water and leave to dry before
running the fire. If some tar like deposits are resistant repeat the
process.
What is a DEFRA approved wood burner and why would I need one?
DEFRA (the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural
Affairs), certificate specific wood burning appliances for use in
smoke control areas. These appliances burn hotter and hence produce
less smoke. DEFRA approved appliances are generally significantly
more expensive than non DEFRA approved.
What are 'smoke control areas' and am I in one?
Smoke control areas were part of the Clean Air act of 1993 which
replaced previous Clean Air acts passed to deal with the post war smogs. Local Authorities may declare part or whole districts to be
within a smoke control area and prohibit smoke emissions from
residential or commercial buildings.
Nationally
click here to check for Brighton and Hove
click here to check.
Click here for a street by street breakdown of Brighton.
For DEFRA guidance
click here.
I'm not in a smoke control area, what can I burn?
Wood, coal (and coal derivatives) and smokeless fuels. In short
all fuels that the manufacturer of the stove, states as suitable.
I am in a smoke control area, what can I burn?
If your burner is DEFRA approved you can burn all fuels. If not
you are restricted to the smokeless fuels. HETAS currently list the
following as suitable:
Name |
Comments |
Made by |
Ancit |
For multi-fuel stoves and closed appliances. High
heat output, low ash, consistent quality. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Briteheat |
For cookers and other closed appliances, not for open
fires. Exceptionally long burning, has a high heat output and
recovers quickly after hours of slumbering. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Briteflame |
Smokeless fuel suitable for open fires, multi-fuel
stoves and Rayburns & AGAs. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Cosycoke |
Contains petroleum coke, should only be used if
recommended by your appliance manufacturer. Very efficient burning,
very hot with little ash, for both multi-fuel stoves and open fires. |
Monckton Coke & Chemical Co Ltd. |
Cosycoke Briquettes |
A blend of fuels, good all round performance. For
both multi-fuel stoves and open fires.
|
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Coalite Newflame |
Medium sized pillow shaped ovoids, for use on open
fires and multi-fuel stoves. East to light, lively flame with high
heat output. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Coalite Ovals |
Large (140mm) pillow shaped ovoids, for use on open
fires and multi-fuel stoves. Easy to light, lively flame with high
heat output. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Ecoal |
Made from 30% renewable materials, emits 25% less CO2
than house coal and one fifth of the smoke, suitable for both open
fires and multi-fuel stoves. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Ecobrite |
For cookers and other closed appliances. Low ash,
high heat, consistent quality. |
Arigna Fuels Ltd. |
Excel |
Coal for open fires but not for closed appliances.
Burns bright and long. |
Oxbow Carbon & Minerals UK Ltd. |
Homefire |
Market leader for open fires, slow burning 25% less
CO2 than coal, long refuelling intervals, attractive
flame very little ash. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Homefire Ovals |
Cost-effective, clean-burning smokeless fuel that
will pack together tightly. Maximum heat output and minimum waste,
can burn for up to 9 hours for both open fires and multi-fuel
stoves. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Maxibrite |
Not for use with open fires, easy to light, high heat
output, low ash and good value for money. Odour free. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Multiheat |
For use in open fires and multi-fuel stoves. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Newflame |
For use in open fires and multi-fuel stoves, low ash,
easy to light with lively flame. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Onllwyn GP Nuts |
For multi-fuel stoves and not open fires.
|
Celtic Energy Ltd. |
Phurnacite |
Britain's most popular smokeless fuel for multi-fuel
stoves, slow burning, can be banked for up to an 18 hour 'slumber',
low CO2 emissions, leaves dense ash, ideal if used for
water heating, Rayburns and AGAs. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Pureheat |
For use in open fires and multi-fuel stoves briquette
fuel, ovoid in shape. |
Oxbow Carbon & Minerals UK Ltd. |
Sunbrite Doubles |
For multi-fuel stoves but not open fires. Coke
product which outperforms most other fuels, can be difficult to
light. |
Monckton Coke & Chemical Co Ltd. |
Supacite |
Anthracite ovoids for all bar open fires, low ash
easy to light with high heat output and odour free. Manufactured in
South Wales. |
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Supertherm II |
For open fires only. Difficult to light but very high
heat output and very long burn time. Looks like a large black duck
egg. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Taybrite |
Multi-purpose smokeless fuel for multi-fuel stoves,
boilers etc. but not for open fires. Easy to light, burns cleanly
and provides long lasting controllable heat with low CO2
emissions. |
CPL Industries Ltd. |
Therma |
For multi-fuel stoves but not open fires.
Manufactured in South Wales.
|
Maxibrite Ltd. |
Can I burn wet wood?
You can but it is better not to. Wet wood will increase tar and
creosote deposits in your chimney (or liner) which will decrease
liner life and can contribute towards chimney fires. The exception
is Ash, which can be burnt green.
HETAS recommend burning wood with
less than 20% moisture content. 12-15% is usually the lowest
moisture content of wood stored outside. Wood burnt with a 30%
moisture content will give off approximately half of the heat of the
same wood burnt with a 20% moisture content. Wood is usually seasoned
for two years before sale.
How do I measure moisture content of wood?
With a timber moisture meter. I can supply a digital meter for
£16.00. Click here for more
details.
What type of wood is best to burn?
The most appropriate wood is seasoned, cleaved hardwood. It is
not appropriate to use the following as fuel: wet, tarred, treated
or painted wood; sawdust or wood shavings; fine coal, paper or
cardboard (except when lighting).
Burning wood. Wood should be cut, split and then stored
under cover with sides open to the air for at least a year. (It
takes two years for some hardwoods to season fully.) Store it inside
the house for a few days, or in the warm log store for a few hours
before it is actually used in the wood burner.
When refuelling, place wood towards the back of the stove where
it will burn hotter and more efficiently. Try to place logs length
ways so that any spitting from the end grain does not go onto the
glass window.
Types and characteristics of wood. The quality of firewood
is based upon various characteristics such as its speed of burn,
heat given off, tendency to spark (spit), ease of splitting, time
required to season, etc.
Type |
Comments |
Grade |
Alder
|
A low quality firewood.
|
poor
|
Apple
|
Needs to be seasoned well. Burns well with a
pleasant smell and without spitting.
|
good
|
Ash
|
Considered
to be one of the best woods for firewood. It has a low water content
(approx. 50%) and can be split very easily with an axe. It can be
burned green but like all wood is best when seasoned. Burns at a
steady rate and not too fast.
|
high
|
Beech
|
Beech has a high water content (approx. 90%) so
only burns well when seasoned.
|
good
|
Birch
|
Birch
is an excellent firewood and will burn unseasoned. However, it does
burn very fast so is best mixed with slower burning wood such as Elm
or Oak.
|
good-high
|
Cedar
|
A
good firewood which burns well with a pleasant smell. Gives off a
good, lasting heat. Doesn't spit too much and small pieces can be
burned unseasoned.
|
low
|
Cherry
|
Needs to be seasoned well. Burns well with a pleasant smell and without spitting.
|
low-good
|
Elder |
Supposed to bring death to the household burning it
and it's also a poor firewood |
poor |
Elm
|
A
good firewood but due to its high water content of approximately
140% (more water than wood!) it must be seasoned very well. It may
need assistance from another faster burning wood such as Birch to
keep it burning well. However it gives off a good, lasting heat and
burns very slowly. Dutch Elm Disease is producing a constant &
plentiful supply of small dead hedgerow Elm trees of a small
diameter. Larger pieces of wood will prove difficult to split.
|
low-good
|
Eucalyptus
|
Allow
to season well since the wood is very wet (sappy) when fresh. Can be
difficult to split due to stringy wood fibre. Best method is to
slice into rings and allow to season during the summer, the rings
will start to split themselves. Burns fast with a pleasant smell and
without spitting.
|
low-good
|
Hawthorn
|
Good firewood. Burns well, fast growing and plentiful due to
18th and 19th century agricultural enclosure plantings.
|
good-high
|
Hazel
|
Excellent firewood. Allow to season. Burns fast but without spitting.
|
high
|
Holly
|
Can be burnt green. A good firewood.
|
good
|
Hornbeam
|
Good firewood. Burns well.
|
good
|
Horse Chestnut
|
A low quality firewood
|
low
|
Larch
|
Needs to be seasoned well. Spits excessively while it burns and forms an oily soot within chimney's.
|
poor
|
Lime
|
A low quality firewood.
|
low
|
Oak
|
One of the best firewood's. When seasoned well, it gives off a good, lasting heat. Burns reasonably slowly.
|
high
|
Pear
|
Needs to be seasoned well. Burns well with a pleasant smell and without spitting.
|
good
|
Pine
|
Needs to be seasoned well. Spits while it burns and
forms an oily soot within chimneys, unswept this can contribute to
chimney fires. Best burnt with other hotter burning woods. |
poor
|
Plane
|
A usable hardwood.
|
good
|
Poplar
|
Considered a poor firewood.
|
poor
|
Rowan
|
Good firewood. Burns well, slow and hot.
|
good
|
Spruce
|
A low quality firewood.
|
low
|
Sweet Chestnut
|
Burns
when seasoned but spits continuously and excessively. Not for use on
an open fire and make sure wood-burning stoves have a good door
catch.
|
poor-low
|
Sycamore (Maples)
|
Good firewood. Burns well.
|
good
|
Walnut
|
A low quality firewood.
|
low
|
Wellingtonia
|
Poor for use as a firewood.
|
poor
|
Willow
|
Willow has a high water content so only burns well when seasoned well.
|
low
|
Yew
|
A usable firewood. Can be seasoned in a single
year.
|
low-good
|
source:
www.greymetal.co.uk |
Alternatively The Firewood poem by Celia
Congreve gives similar guidance, first published in 1930 in the
Times. The poem's advice about Elder is probably superstition but
Elder is a poor firewood.
Beechwood
fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year,
Chestnut's only good they say,
If for logs 'tis laid away.
Make a fire of Elder tree,
Death within your house will be;
But ash new or ash old,
Is fit for a queen with crown of gold
Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last,
it is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,
E'en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for a queen with golden crown
Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills your eyes and makes you choke,
Apple wood will scent your room
Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom
Oaken logs, if dry and old
keep away the winter's cold
But ash wet or ash dry
a king shall warm his slippers by.
Can I burn MDF?
Current DEFRA advice is rather convoluted but yes in both
smoke control and non smoke control areas.
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/guidance.php?a=i&q=0
What is this data plate I've heard installers mention?
This is a building regulations requirement if the hearth is
modified or a flue liner is installed. It is a small metal plate
containing useful information concerning the specification of the
flue liner and hearth intended to be affixed in the meter cupboard
for future reference.
How often should I get my chimney swept?
HETAS guidance on sweeping is that in domestic dwellings chimneys
are swept at least twice a year if wood is burnt and a minimum of
once a year if smokeless fuels are used. Manufacturers may have
differing requirements for specific appliances, HETAS guidance is
the minimum requirement.
What causes creosote and how is it dangerous?
Flue gas consists of steam, and vaporized but unburned carbon
by-products (vaporized creosote). As the flue gas exits the
fireplace or wood stove, it moves upward into the relatively cool
flue where condensation occurs. Like hot breath on a cold mirror,
the cool surface temperature of the flue causes the carbon particles
in the warm vapour to solidify. This resulting carbon based
condensation is creosote.
It's usually black in appearance. It can be the fine black dust
called soot, (1st stage creosote); or porous and crunchy, (2nd
stage); or it can be tar-like: drippy and sticky, until it hardens
into a shiny glaze, (3rd stage). All forms of creosote can occur in
one chimney system. Whatever form it takes, creosote is highly
combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities - and ignites
inside the chimney flue: the result is a chimney fire.
How can I avoid a chimney fire?
Regular sweeping
www.thebrightonchimneysweep.co.uk.
Burn small hot fires rather than large smouldering fires, burn
dry, seasoned wood, shelter your woodpile. Don't burn sooty woods
such as pine and larch. A chimney liner does not protect you
from a chimney fire, without regular sweeping it is just postponing
the day.
Help my burner is smoking what can I do?
Burner's that smoke can be classified as having one of three
problems or, occasionally, a combination of all three.
1) Sweating or steaming. The burner is burning off the installers
oily finger prints, curing the fire cement, high heat silicone and
paint. Some steel burners smoke considerably when first fired. This
should not persist beyond one or two firings. I use Thermacure paint
to touch in burners I service and I find afterwards this paint
always smokes when the burner is fired. The CO alarm should remain
silent however smoke alarms are often set off during this process,
air the room and monitor the situation.
2) Spillage when the burner is refuelled. When the door is opened
and more fuel is added sometimes a puff of smoke will be emitted
from the burner into the room. If the door is opened more slowly
this is generally avoided but not always. The CO alarm may sound as
may any smoke alarm. Most appliances are 'closed appliances' and
should not be run with the doors open, other than for lighting and
refuelling.
3) Leakage. This either means the installer did not do a thorough
job or the seals have been compromised since the installer was
present. The CO alarm is very likely to sound and this is
potentially quite a dangerous situation. Contact the installer and
minimise use of the appliance until a resolution is found.
The most common problem is sweating or steaming and can affect
exposed pipework as well as the burner itself.
I want a burner fitted to my canal boat/yacht/camper van where
do I look?
Try
www.kaieteur.uk.com. Installation of wood burners for small
craft are governed by BS 8511:2010.
Why do stoves need a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm fitted?
In short, because the building regulations say that all solid
fuel appliance
installations since October 2010 need to have one fitted.
Installations that occurred prior to this date do not need to have
an alarm retrospectively fitted.
The reasoning behind this decision was that deaths from carbon
monoxide inhalation have been increasing year on year (about 20 a
year) and have overtaken deaths from faulty gas boilers despite the
fact that solid fuel heats a tiny percentage of homes compared to
natural gas. See
www.co-bealarmed.co.uk
What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas
which is lighter than air and toxic to humans and animals. It is
produced by burning carbon containing compounds (such as wood).
Usually this is evacuated through the chimney and into the
environment, should the chimney become blocked or begin to leak it
can spill into habitable spaces. A significant danger is that as it
is lighter than air it poisons people sleeping in upstairs rooms.
I'm worried about carbon monoxide, perhaps I should have an
alarm?
If your worried, perhaps you should. Alarms have to conform to BS
EN 50291:2001. I can supply an alarm for
£27.50. They
should be fitted in the same room as the solid fuel appliance,
preferably opposite and above. They can be mains wired or battery operated. If
you are a smoker (or have one available) they can be tested by blowing
cigarette smoke at them.
Click here to purchase
an alarm. Most alarms are triggered at 35ppm (parts per
million), this is a high concentration of CO.
Do I need a bird guard?
Generally speaking, no. Having a bird fall into your chimney is a
pretty rare event, however it is quite disturbing if it does occur.
I have had experience of opening fireplaces up to find a long dead
rat carcass amongst the soot and debris. If you require a guard they
cost from
£65 supplied and installed.
Remember to tell your sweep that a guard is installed to prevent
him from dislodging it when sweeping.
Can you fit a gas fire for me?
Sadly no. I don't have the required authorisation (Gas Safe
certificate). I can however recommend Spencer Hart who does
07795025790,
www.spencerhartbathrooms.com.
I'm looking for a sympathetic plasterer/carpenter etc. can you
recommend someone?
Sean Jenkins is an excellent no nonsense plasterer whom I've
worked with for many years. 07981 122913.
Jamie Baker makes beautiful wooden mantles and fire surrounds.
07860 200 631. One of Jamie's surrounds is
pictured here with Marion
Brandis tiles.
Bevis is an excellent architectural carpenter based in Poynings
just outside Brighton 07960 362803.
Marion Brandis creates custom made tiles and architectural
ceramics
www.marionbrandis.co.uk
Stuart at Metal Art Wales makes custom log stands one of which I
use myself.
www.metalartwales.co.uk
What are all these standards CE, Din, BS EN 13240 etc.?
Solid fuel appliances have been something of a Cinderella product
in the UK and only relatively recently have they found the
popularity they enjoyed in times gone by. As a result the
authorities that regulate the market have been somewhat disorganised
and due to the Single European Act and governmental disputes,
overlapping.
CE Marking is for products originating from inside or outside the EU
and are licensed for sale across the EU AND EFTA (European Free
Trade Area). CE marking is a product passport, these products must
meet minimum efficiency requirements.
British made products do not need CE marking to be sold in the UK
before July 2013. After July 2013 this exemption ends.
The CE Mark is not a quality mark, it does not imply any form of
official approval, it is not issued by any official body and there
is no such thing as an official 'CE Certificate', though the
manufacturer or supplier may supply a "declaration of conformity".
The improper application of a CE Mark, or an improper claim of
conformity to EN Standards can constitute a criminal offence of
deception, which in the UK can carry a penalty of up to 10 years
imprisonment. Supervision of conformity to EN Standards is a matter
for local and national authorities.
In 1988 European Counties agreed on the Construction Products
Directive, 89/106/EEC, which lays down that "any product which is
produced for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction
works" must be "fit for its intended use" allowing for "differences
... at national, regional or local level". It also provides for free
trade in that "Member States shall not impede the free movement,
placing on the market or use in their territory of products which
satisfy the provisions of this Directive." and guards against petty
local interference by saying that "Member States shall ensure that
the use of such products ... shall not be impeded by rules or
conditions", and absolutely forbids the establishment of national
'approval lists'.
BS EN standards as related to solid fuel
appliances |
Standard
|
Appliance type |
Minimum efficiency |
BS EN 13240 |
For freestanding room heaters/stoves. |
65% |
The that the appliance is soundly constructed, has a means of
cleaning the internal flue ways, is provided with a glove or tool
for handling hot surfaces. Need refuelling
no more
than every 45 minutes. on wood, 1 hour on mineral fuels
(intermittent use)
Be capable of burning unattended for 10 hours on wood, 12 hrs on
mineral fuel (if for continuous use). Be marked with a label showing:
-
the maker's name or mark and the model
-
heat output to space and to water (if applicable)
-
CO emissions at 13% oxygen
- minimum clearance distances from combustible materials, in mm
- whether or not for use in a shared flue
- whether for continuous or intermittent operation
|
BS EN 14785 |
For wood pellet fired stoves. |
75% |
The appliance should need refuelling
no more than every 3 hours at nominal output, or 6 hours at reduced
output. |
BS EN 13229 |
For open and inset fires. |
30% |
The appliance should need refuelling no more than every 45 minutes
on wood, 1 hour on mineral fuels. |
BS EN 12815 |
For solid fuel cookers. |
60% |
The appliance should have a capability of burning for at least 1
hour between refuels on wood, or 2 hours (3 if automatically
controlled) on other fuels. The cooker is required to have
demonstrated an ability to oven cook the European Standard
shortbread.
|
BS EN 12809 |
For solid fuel boilers and 'wetback' stoves. |
65% |
EN 15250 |
For
slow heat release appliances fired by solid fuel - commonly referred
to as 'masonry heaters'. |
70% |
EN 303-5
|
Is part of the standard required for
DEFRA approval, however having EN 303-5 does not
necessarily confer DEFRA approval on a product. |
BS 8511:2010 |
Is a code of practice for installation of
stoves and solid fuel appliances into small craft, such as canal
boats and camper vans. The code is advisory.
Click here for more information. |
EU made products often cite these standards as EN 13229 omitting
the BS (British Standard) part of the designation. |
source:
www.soliftec.com |
Kitemark is the symbol displayed when a product conforms
to the relevant British standards, operated by the British Standards
Institute (BSI).
Flamme Verte (green flame) is a French efficiency
standard.
Din and Din+ are German standards. Din+ accreditation
requires a minimum 75% efficiency.
EPA certified is an American standard which usually lists
efficiency levels, grams of smoke per hour emitted and heat output.
Strangely the Americans use BTU (British Thermal Units) to measure
output rather than kW. Click here for conversions.
HETAS approved is a standard derived from five harmonized
European Standards, developed by CEN TC 295, covering solid fuel
fired cookers, stoves, roomheaters, open fires, inserts, independent
boilers and pellet-fired appliances have been approved by CEN and
have been adopted as the new British Standards.
HETAS tests against these European Standards. HETAS are,
therefore, now able to approve wood burning and multi-fuel stoves
and roomheaters, cookers, boilers and inset open fires and
specialist pellet burning appliances that are capable of burning
both wood and solid mineral fuels. HETAS publish list of these
appliances in their guide.
Despite all these overlapping regulatory bodies and systems there
does not seem to be requirement for the manufacturer to declare
where the appliance is made. So the National Trust endorse Chesney's
Croatian manufactured stoves implying they are a British product.
Many other manufacturers similarly blur the definitions of British
product.
My stove has been fitted but not to the manufacturers
instructions, what can be done?
Solid fuel appliances are regulated by numerous bodies
institutions and laws. In England and Wales the top tier of these
regulations is Document 'J' of the building regulations. If your
stove is fitted in compliance with 'J' it was done properly
regardless of what manufacturers instructions state or other bodies
recommend.
HETAS recommend some practices with exceed document 'J' if they
are practical I follow these recommendations, often they are not and
I don't. Some manufacturers recommend practices which are unlawful
according to building regulations in which case building regulations
take precedence. Building control officers can allow specific
violations of building regulations if they believe the violations
can be addressed via other means.
In most instances the orange cells in the table below are
essential and the white cells are advisory.
Tiered regulations and
recommendations |
Building control officer's directions |
Document 'J' of the building regulations |
SAP directions |
British/European standards for example BS 8303-1:1994
Specification for the design of installation of domestic heating and
cooking appliances burning solid mineral fuels. These are NOT freely available and only
constitute 'best practice' |
Manufacturer's recommendations |
Recommendations from bodies such as HETAS and the SFA |
There is no obligation on the householder to bring up to current
specification a solid fuel appliance that was fitted before the
current regulations (October 2010). Sometimes it is advisable, other
times entirely unnecessary.
My stove is marked as for "intermittent use", what does this
mean?
Intermittent use in this context is a specification laid down in BS EN 13240.
It means the appliance needs refuelling no more than every 45 minutes
for wood, 1 hour for mineral fuels. An appliance marked for
"continuous use" is capable of burning unattended for 10 hours on
wood, 12 hrs on mineral fuel.
Is there any use for the ash produced by my burner?
The ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY state that:
"Ash from untreated wood has a slight liming action and can be
used to raise soil pH. Where ash contains larger particles, its
incorporation also helps to improve soil structure. Ash produced
from young sappy prunings contains a useful proportion of potassium
and traces of other nutrients while older wood tends to contain
lower concentrations of nutrients. Coal ash is best avoided because
it has a negligible nutrient content and its fine particle size
means it is of little benefit to soil structure."
However in most of Sussex the soil is generally chalky with a
high pH already.
|