A stove with a boiler.
Lots of stoves are now available with a boiler option, it may be built in or a clip in boiler, a boiler is used to heat domestic hot water and radiators in the home. With the increase in fuel costs it has become very popular for people to now link their cast iron stove and boiler to their existing central heating system (such as Oil).
It is important that you choose the right size boiler for the job, There are calculations available on line which can provide you with a general idea of the size required but these vary from one dealer to another, Domestic hot water will require different amounts of energy depending on the size of the tank and radiators differ in size from one place to the next. We always recommend having a qualified solid fuel plumber survey your property and advise on your specific requirements. When you have chosen your cast iron stove and boiler ask them to confirm that it will meet your needs before making a purchase.
Smokeless areas
In some areas you are not allowed to burn fuel that emits smoke, this is called a smoke control area. You are permitted to burn smokeless fuel on a multifuel stove in these areas.
List of UK smoke control areas- http://www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk/locations.php
Chimney lining.
We offer a full range of high quality flexible chimney liner and components suitable for solid fuel.
Components explained
MA Adaptor: This connects the vitreous flue to the flexible liner.
Top Plate and Clamp This is used to hold the liner up and is fixed between the top of the stack and the underneath of the pot, it is advisable that once the pot has been fixed you also use a cowl to stop the rain and other materials which may fall down the chimney.
Standard Cowl Our standard cowl (chinaman's hat) can be used with a standard round chimney pot, these will help keep the rain from coming down the stack.
Claypot Hanger This is an alternative to the top plate and clamp and standard cowl. The Claypot hanger fits into your existing chimney pot so there is no need to remove this and also holds up your liner from the top, the claypot hanger has a cowl attached to it so there is no need for an additional cowl.
Reasons to line your chimney:
- Insulating your chimney liner reduces tar and soot deposits, therefore reducing the chance of a chimney fire
- Using a good quality liner will create a smooth chimney, with less areas for soot and tar to cling to. Tar that does form can fall back into the stove and be recombusted rather than build up on the rough surface and cracks of the bricks.
- Insulating the liner will increase the temperature of the flue gasses improving the draw as the warm air will rise.
- A liner will stop smoke and tar coming through cracks in the bricks and back into your home.
- If you have a large chimney or a large void in your chimney lining will help, as the flue gasses will cool very quickly in a large chimney space and create condensates which are difficult to remove.
- Expelling the flue gasses from a pipe which is of consistent diameter will help the flue gasses to travel faster leaving less time for them to cool and leave deposits, it will also help improve draw
Carbon manoxide
The following information is taken from the solid fuel associations Carbon manoxide safety leaflet.
1. Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas
Carbon Monoxide fumes have no colour, taste or smell and can be produced by appliances that use gas, wood, oil, coal or smokeless fuel. Carbon Monoxide can also be present in smoke from solid fuel, wood or oil appliances. Carbon Monoxide is potentially fatal,and even low-levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to your health.
2. You must have your solid fuel or wood burning appliance safety-checked annually by a registered competent person for solid fuel and wood appliances i.e. a HETAS Registered Engineer.
You increase the risk of your appliance producing Carbon Monoxide if it is badly installed or poorly maintained. If you have a solid fuel appliance you should empty the ash can daily, clean the flue ways at the back of the boiler weekly and clean the throat plates at the top of the room heater monthly. Have your chimney swept at least once a year if burning smokeless fuel or at least twice a year if using wood or bituminous coal. If you live in rented accommodation with gas appliances your landlord must provide you with proof that a CORGI registered installer has safety-checked the appliances within the last 12 months. A responsible landlord will provide the same for solid fuel and oil.
3. Fit an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm
Carbon Monoxide alarms need to meet European safety standards and must be audible. Fit them in accordance to the manufacturer’s instructions. Note: an alarm is no substitute
for regular maintenance and chimney sweeping. We do not recommend the use of a ‘Black Spot’ detector – these are often inaccurate and will not alert you if you are overcome by
Carbon Monoxide fumes or asleep. If you are concerned about the threat of Carbon Monoxide poisoning whilst on holiday in the UK or abroad, you may wish to take a battery-operated Carbon Monoxide alarm with you.
4. Recognising the early symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning will save your life
The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are similar to the ‘flu’; nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, stomach and chest pains. If you experience these symptoms but feel better when you are outside or away from the appliance, you could be suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
5. Know how to spot the signs of Carbon Monoxide around your appliance
Look out for Carbon Monoxide danger signs such as sooting or staining around the appliance and excessive condensation in the room. Carbon Monoxide can also be present in smoke from solid fuel, wood or oil appliances. If you are using a gas appliance that should have a crisp blue flame, such as a pilot light, look out for changes. If it turns to a lazy orange flame, the appliance may not be working correctly.
6. Know what to do and who to call in an emergency
If you suspect a Carbon Monoxide leak, stop using the appliance until it has been checked by a competent engineer. You should open windows to ventilate the area, leave the room to get some fresh air and seek medical advice. If you receive medical attention, be sure to state that you suspect you could be suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning to ensure you receive appropriate treatment, and are offered a breath or blood test.
7. It is dangerous to block ventilation
Blocking ventilation or misusing your appliance can lead to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. You should have your chimney swept at least once a year, preferably before each winter.
What kind of wood should I burn?
Alder: low in heat and does not burn for long,
Apple: Great It bums slowly and steadily when dry, with little flame, but good for heat.
Ash: The best wood for burning; has both flame and heat, and will bum when green, but burns best when dry.
Beech: Nearly as good as ash, and only fair when green. If it has a fault, it will shoot embers a long way.
Birch: good for heat but it burns quickly. A nice smell.
Cedar: Good when dry. It gives little flame but lots of heat, a lovely scent.
Cherry: Burns slowly, with good heat. Another wood with the advantage of a nice scent. Chestnut. OK. Will spark. Small flame and heating power.
Douglas Fir: Poor. Little flame or heat.
Elder: Average . Very smoky. Quick burner, with not much heat.
Elm: Commonly sold for fuel. To bum well it needs to be dried for two years. Even then it will smoke.
Hazel: Good.
Holly: Good, will burn when green, but best when dried for a season.
Hornbeam: A rival to beech.
Laburnum: A poisonous tree, foul smoke, taints food, best never used.
Larch: Crackles, nice scent, and fairly good for heat.
Laurel: Gives a brilliant flame.
Lime: Poor. Burns with dull flame.
Maple: Good.
Oak: New oak gives a poor flame and the smoke is foul, but dry old oak is excellent for heat, burning slowly and steadily until whole log collapses into cigar-like ash.
Pear: Good heat and a good scent.
Pine: Bums with a wonderful flame, but often spits. The resinous Weymouth pine has a lovely scent and a cheerful blue flame.
Plane: Burns nicely, but will spark if very dry.
Plum: Good heat and smell.
Poplar: Very bad.
Rhododendron: The thick old stems burn well.
Robinia (Acacia): Burns slowly, with good heat, but with foul smoke.
Spruce: Burns very quickly and with lots of sparks.
Sycamore: Burns with a good flame, with medium heat. But do not use green.
Thorn: Very good. Slow burning, with good heat and little smoke.
Walnut: Good, and so is the scent..
Willow: Poor. It must be dry to use, and then it burns slowly, with little flame. Will spark.
Yew: Among the best. Burns slowly, with strong heat, and the scent is nice.
Replacement stove glass:
As well as replacement stove glass for the many models we sell, we are able to provide replacement glass for all makes and models of stove, such as Aarrow, ACR, Aga, Agatar, All blacks, Austroflamm, Balmoral, Barbas, Baxi, Beacon, Boatman, Brosley, Bubble, Burley appliances, Butler, Canon, Crabo, Charnwood, Chase of Milford, Chatelaine, Clarke stoves, Chappee, Clearview, Coalbrookdale, Continental fires, Cosy Gee, Country life, Country Brit, Courtier, Dalesman, Deville, Dovre, Dowling, Dunsley, Effel, Esse, Eva, Everglow, Firebelly, Flavel, Fondis, Foresight, Gazco, Gloworm,. Godin, GWB, Heat stream, Hede, Hergom, Hot spot, HRG Stoves, Hunter, Huntsman, Jetwin, Jig, Jotul, Keddy, Lange, La grande select, Le select, Logfire, Longlife, Machine mart, Morso, Morley, Natural heating, Nestor martin, Nordica, Nu-Flame, Oakfire, Paragon, Parkray, Pither forrester, Ploughman, Potterton, Quebb, Queen, Quantock, Rayburn, Robinson Willey, S&G Marketing, Sampson, Scan anderson, Scandafire, Scandia, Senora, Spencer, Stanley, Stovax, Super nova, Torgem, Torglow, Town & Country, Thermastove, Thermocet, Trianco, Tripp, Valor, Verine, Vermount, Villager, Wanders, Warmland, Warrior, Waterford, Wenlock, Westminster, Wonderfire, Woodburning stoves Ltd, Woodman, Woodwarm and Yeoman.
