Replacing your open fire with a wood-burning stove this year

November 3, 2022

Although the Romans understood the chimney effect well enough to use them in industrial applications, domestic chimneys don't make an appearance in the archaeological record of Northern Europe until the 12th Century. The chimney allowed the operation of a warming fire in a dwelling without filling the home with smoke. For the ensuing centuries, with this simple technology becoming commonplace, an open fire was de rigueur in dwellings, with most social activities taking place near or around one: home is where the hearth is.

Even with the advent of modern homes with central heating, open fires remained extremely popular out of a combination of atmosphere, tradition and authenticity, but most users became gradually aware of the major drawbacks of choosing this medieval way of attempting to heat a house.

This is where a wood-burning stove can be the right choice

Wood-burning stoves are a great alternative to open fires, and here are the main reasons why you should consider replacing your open fire with one this year.

Wood Burning Stoves are much more efficient at heating

Open fires are not efficient at heating your home. Most of the heat from the fire will escape straight up the chimney. And in most properties, using an open fire will result in a net heat loss because of the sheer quantity of air pulled up the chimney, especially when it's burning, but even when it's not. By contrast, wood burning stoves are extremely efficient and practical when it comes to heating your home. This is because they are designed and built to retain and radiate as much of the heat that they produce as possible.

Not only do they consume a fraction of the quantity of logs that an open fire devours as well as cutting the draught up the chimney, they also project the enormous heat generated by the fire into the room instead of up the chimney, heating you instead of the birds.

Wood burners are safer than open fires

Safety is a concern for many people when it comes to having an open fire in their house. Logs can spit out embers which is a concern for many people, especially if you have small children or pets, and is an obvious safety risk that can easily cause a house fire. This is not an issue with a woodburning stove as all of the flames and fuel are contained safely behind a securely latched door. The fire can't spit through steel and glass and a stove can be safely left unattended to burn itself out. Therefore a wood burning stove is a much safer choice than an open fire.

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Wood burners come in many styles to suit all types of properties

Wood burning stoves often look much nicer than a standard open fire. This is because they are designed to combine style and function. Whilst most people have a set image in their mind of a ‘traditional’ style of wood burner, there are many different styles available, including many contemporary or modern styles. This means that they can fit in with any style of house with ease, regardless of whether you have a large detached house in the Brockenhurst, a modern contemporary property by the beach or even a small terrace house.

They can also be a great focal point for the entire room, giving you a central spot to base the rest of the space around. With modern airwash technology that affords a crystal-clear view of the flames, you can still enjoy that same magical fire view that has entranced humans for millennia. Many stove users say they find watching the flames more enchanting than television or even their phone screens.

You can use wood burners for more than heating

Whilst the primary function of a wood burning stove is to heat the room, they can do more than that. Many people use them for cooking certain foods, boiling kettles or just re-heating drinks, especially if they live in an area prone to power outages. Some stoves even have small ovens or dedicated cooking surfaces.

They can also help illuminate the room, particularly if you are trying to conserve your energy usage but don’t want a dark and gloomy house.

Easy to fit - British stoves are designed to fit British fireplaces

The prevalence of open fires in the housing stock of the chilly British Isles has dictated the form and vernacular of British stove design, quite distinct from Scandinavian or American equivalents, although these days there are plenty of Continental offerings to choose from, too. This means that whatever the size of your fireplace, there's probably a very good choice of stoves that will fit inside it. And the fact that you already have a chimney means there's a ready conduit for the flexible flue liner that will make your stove perform efficiently and safely at much less expense than installing a complete new flue system.

Conclusion

If you're considering or have decided on having a new wood burning or multi fuel stove installed in your property then please get in touch and speak to one of our experts who can advise you on all of the options and styles available.

Still not sure that a new wood burning stove is the right choice for your home? Then we are always there to help you by offering our expert wood burner installer advice and support. And if that doesn't persuade you, we also have an excellent selection of no-fuss gas and electric fires to choose from.

With our help and guidance, you can make sure that you pick the perfect stove for both your home and your style too.

About New Forest Fires

We are the leading supplier of woodburning and multi fuel stoves in the New Forest. As well as supplying all of the leading brands of wood burning stoves we also provide an installation service throughout the New Forest, Southampton and Bournemouth areas.

If you have any more questions on the different types of wood burning stoves and what's best for you then please get in touch by completing the form below