Considerations when choosing a wood burning or multi-fuel stove

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If you’re thinking about purchasing a stove this winter, then we are sure you wont be disappointed. But there are a lot of different things to consider, before you make a final decision. So what are the most important considerations for choosing the best stove? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to help choose the stove that is perfect for your requirements.

What are the important considerations when choosing a wood burning or multi-fuel stove?

The best stove will always be a subjective choice, based on the buyers own preferences. So to choose the right stove for your home, you should consider:

  • The efficiency level of the stove
  • Defra
  • Type of fuel for your stove
  • The stove material

Considering stove efficiency for your new stove

The stove you choose should have a high efficiency rating, so that you can heat your home effectively, without adding additional costs. New stoves, adhering to the EU regulations that will be in place later this year, are at least 80% efficient.

Defra-approved

For a wood burning stove, you should look for a Defra approved model as this burn cleaner, and be better for your home, and the environment. If you live in a smoke-controlled area, a Defra approved model is mandatory.

Choosing the type of fuel for your stove

You can choose between a dedicated wood burner or a multi-fuel stove for your home. Wood can also be used on a multi-fuel stove, as well as other types of fuel. But a wood-burner can only burn wood.

Choosing the material for your stove

Stoves are available in both cast iron and steel. While cast iron will take longer to heat up, it will stay warmer for longer. A steel stove will warm your home quickly, but will also lose heat quickly once the fire is extinguished.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Choose a multi-fuel stove instead of a gas fire

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to everything you should know about how multi-fuel stoves compare to gas fires.

Why should you choose a multi-fuel stove instead of a gas fire?

There are a number of reasons why a multi-fuel stove can be a better option for your home than a gas fire fitting. These reasons incude:

  • Carbon monoxide and maintenance- while both multi-fuel stoves and gas fires will require some annual chimney maintenance to keep these in tip top condition, gas fires will need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will need to be examined and serviced by an expert on a yearly basis. A gas stove will also require a carbon monoxide sensor fitting to ensure that your household is completely safe. A multi-fuel stove will need yearly maintenance for your chimney, but additional steps will not be necessary.
  • Additional heat- while a gas fire is on average 6kw, multi-fuel stoves can be larger than this, up to 15 kw. So for larger rooms and open plan spaces, a multi fuel stove can be the most practical option.
  • Running costs- when you compare gas prices to the fuel options for multi-fuel, it is clear that a multi-fuel stove has lower running costs, although gas fires can be up to 100% efficient.

What are the important considerations?

There are some important considerations you should bear in mind, including:

  • Any stove over 5kw needs an air brick or ventilation kit installed in the same room to ensure adequate air flow
  • Both gas and multi-fuel stoves will need to be installed within a chimney breast or an outside wall.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Choosing a contemporary free standing stove

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And we offer professional installation and advice to homeowners and property developers across the area. We have produced this guide to everything you should know about contemporary free standing stoves.

What are the important considerations for choosing a contemporary free standing stove?

There are a number of important considerations to take into account when choosing a new contemporary free standing stove. These considerations include:

  • The shape- contemporary freestanding stoves are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. These include cylinder freestanding stoves as well as square, rectangular and hexagonal shapes. This means that for your home or property you will need to choose a shape of free standing stoves that suits the available space, and that creates the right heat distribution for your property.
  • The design- contemporary free standing stoves are available in a couple of different material options including cast iron and stainless steel. While stainless steel usually is associated with more contemporary design there are a number of cast iron free standing stoves that can also look stunning in a contemporary property.
  • The heat output- as when choosing any stove for your property you will need to factor in the heat output and efficiency of your new free standing contemporary style stove. A professional team like us here at JMS Stoves will be able to guide you through the different heat output options so that you can make the right choice for your home.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new multi-fuel or wood burning stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.

Why should you choose a free standing stove?

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When it comes to choosing a wood burning or multi fuel stove for your home, there are a number of considerations to bear in mind. These include the size, shape and material, as well as whether or not to choose an inset or free standing stove? Each of these options have advantages and benefits, and its important to weigh these against your requirements. Here at at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. And this is our guide to everything you should know about free standing stoves.

What is a free standing stove?

A free standing stove is a stove that stands on legs, a base or a pedestal and is not built into a fireplace. These differ from inset stoves, which sit within an existing fireplace.

So, why should you choose a free standing stove?

There are a number of reasons why free standing stoves are the most popular option for home owners across the UK. These include:

  • Effective heating- even for large open plan living rooms, a free standing stove can provide the optimum amount of heating to keep your home warm. This is because the heat fro the fire radiates around the entire room, and less heat is lost through transference.
  • Stunning designs- free standing stoves are available in a wide range of stunning designs. From contemporary, circular designs that can be the centre piece of your home to stylish, classic and traditional stoves, there are a variety of options to suit any design theme or home style.
  • Flexible- free standing stoves do offer the option for being moved or repositioned in the future, although this will require a professional stove engineer. What this means is that you can redesign your living room and fireplace area in the future, without needing extensive work.

For more information, or for your multi-fuel stove installation, get in touch today, here at JMS Stoves.

Choose a multi-fuel stove this New Year

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Choosing home improvements as part of a list of New Years resolutions is a popular trend. And as part of this, you could consider installing a new stove. Choosing between wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves is never easy, and will ultimately be down to individual preference. But there are a number of reasons to choose a multi-fuel stove this New Year. Here at at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. And this is our guide to everything you should know about multi-fuel stoves.

What are the different reasons to choose a multi-fuel stove this New Year?

There are a number of reasons why a multi-fuel stove could be the perfect option for your home in the up coming year ahead. These include:

  • Range of fuels to choose from- While a wood burning stove is limited in fuel choice to just timber, a multi-fuel stove can successfully burn a variety of different materials. This means you can still burn wood and timber, but you can also choose other fuel types, like smokeless briquettes. However when burning wood, its important to remember that you should only choose wood that is FSC approved.
  • Keeping warm throughout the winter- In the cold winter months a real fire is something many homes can enjoy, and benefit from. Not only can this be a stunning visual centerpiece for any living area, but this is also the perfect way to keep your property warm, especially in winter. A multi-fuel stove can allow any room to warm up quickly, and stay warm for a generous period of time too. This is also a great way to reduce your heating and energy bills, saving you money every month.
  • Style and visual design- from cast iron stoves with a traditional, detailed design, to stainless steel stoves, there are a variety of different styles and designs of multi-fuel stoves to choose from. So whether your property is contemporary or traditional, you can find the perfect multi-fuel stove to become a key feature for your home.

For more information, or for your multi-fuel stove installation, get in touch today, here at JMS Stoves.

Creating a focal point with a wood burning stove

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Mutli Fuel Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove specialists. We install all kinds of stove, including wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, as well as cast iron or stainless steel varieties. And this is our guide to how you can create a focal point with a wood burning stove.

What are the important considerations for creating a focal point with a wood burning stove?

To make sure that your new stove is the perfect centre piece or feature point for your home, you should consider:

  • The style and design- stoves are available in a range of different styles and designs. From traditional cast iron with intricate details, to smooth steel with a sleek finish and curved or straight edges, there are wood bunting and multi-fuel stoves available to suit any property, in any style. As a result, you should consider the style of your room, and your property overall, and choose a stove that will fit with the design scheme. Not only with the right stove be a good addition, it will also become one of the key features of the room, really accentuating the style and design of the space.
  • The size- the size of the wood burning stove is an important practical consideration, as this needs to heat your home appropriately. A stove that is too small will not provide enough heat, while a stove that is too large, will be difficult to maintain a good temperature. But at the same time, as a visual feature, your stove needs to be well sized too. If this is too small for the space you have available, you may need to think about creating a faux fireplace or nook to extend the visual impression. If this is too large, it will look odd and out of place.

For more information or advice, or for installation of your new wood burning stove, get in touch today with the experts here at JMS Stoves.

Common myths about wood burning stoves

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Mutli Fuel Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove specialists. We install all kinds of stove, including wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, as well as cast iron or stainless steel varieties. And this is our guide to the most common myths about wood burning stoves.

What are the common myths about wood burning stoves?

There are a number of myths abounding regarding wood burning stoves. These are usually negative, and can prevent people from enjoying the warmth and luxury of a real stove. These myths include:

  • Wood burning stoves can’t heat up a large open plan space- it’s a common misconception that wood burning stoves cannot heat up a large space effectively. This is simply not true. Wood burning stoves are available in a variety of sizes with different power levels. This means you just need to use the wood burning stove that is powerful enough to heat your space. A professional team like us here at JMS Wood Burning And Multi Fuel Stoves can help with that.
  • Wood burning stoves are bad for the environment- Wood burners only emit the amount of carbon that a tree has absorbed. This means that by choosing the right wood, this is less damaging than using fossil fuels. In addition, modern wood burners have new technologies that reduce emissions including clean-burn systems.
  • Wood burning stoves cost a lot to maintain- it really doesn’t cost a lot to maintain a wood burning stove. But this can depend on the chimney itself. The cost of maintenance is comparable to that of a boiler, and usually less.

For more information or advice, or for installation of your new wood burning stove, get in touch today with the experts here at JMS Stoves.

Is wood burning better for the environment?

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Wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are becoming increasingly popular for millions of home owners across the country. After all, who wouldn’t want to snuggle up in front of a fire in the evening? However cozy this image is though, wood burning and multi- fuel stoves are not just visually attractive home additions. They are also incredibly practical too. And using a stove could help to reduce your carbon footprint, and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. But is wood burning better for the environment? Here at JMS Stoves, we are leading stove experts. As a result, we have produced this guide exploring the environmental aspects of burning wood.

Is wood burning better for the environment?

Wood burning has several direct and indirect environmental advantages, including:

  • Wood is renewable- burning wood is better for the environment than relying on coal, or gas. This is because wood is a renewable energy source, which unlike fossil fuels will not run out, as long as it is sourced sustainably. This is an important point if you are environmentally focused, as you should only buy wood for burning that has been sustainably sourced.
  • Wood is carbon neutral- the amount of carbon dioxide released when wood burns, is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide that the tree took in while alive. As a result, burning wood is carbon neutral.

However, wood burning is not all positive.

The disadvantages of wood burning

The most significant down side to burning wood is the amount of particles the wood fire produces. These are damaging the quality of the air in our towns and cities. Modern appliances over the last five years have been designed and built to be eco-friendly, and so these produce less pollution that older models that are not as efficient. This means if you have currently have an older wood stove, it could be a great idea t upgrade. Alternatively, fitting a particle filter can seriously help to filter out the particles and keep the air cleaner, by up to 92%. However, this is a more expensive option.

Biomass or wood pellets

Wood pellets can be an even more environmentally friendly option, that can be burnt on your multi-fuel stove. These are made from compressed sawdust that would otherwise be going to landfill sites. Because these are compressed, they hold hardly any moisture at all, which means that they burn cleaner, producing less particles.

Ultimately, a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove could put you on the path to a greener future. Choose a stove with an eco-friendly design, or install a filter, to heat your home with no negative environmental impacts at all. Get in touch with the professionals today, here at JMS Stoves.

Advantages of compact multi-fuel stoves

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Here at JMS Wood Burning and Mutli Fuel Stoves, we are Birmingham’s leading stove specialists. We install all kinds of stove, including wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, as well as cast iron or stainless steel varieties. But what about stoves for small spaces? Well, compact multi-fuel stoves can offer the solution. These are smaller than average multi-fuel stoves, but still heat up your space with ease. So what are the advantages of compact multi-fuel stoves?

What are the advantages of compact multi-fuel stoves?

There are a number of advantages to choosing a compact multi-fuel stove. These advantages include:

  • Providing heat in small rooms- when people think of stoves, they generally think of large wood burners or multi-fuel stoves that are in the centre of an open plan, or large living space. But what about small rooms? Well, a compact multi-fuel stove can be the perfect solution. This will be large enough to provide heat and warmth to a small room, without overpowering the space, and without taking up too much room. As a result, this could even be used for large double bedrooms.
  • Less fuel- although a compact multi-fuel stove will generally output less heat, they will also use less fuel. So if you don’t have storage space for a lot of fuel, or you’re concerned about purchasing fuel in bulk, a compact multi-fuel stove could be a good solution.
  • DEFRA approved- many small or compact multi-fuel stoves are DEFRA approved. This means that they can be used safely and legally in areas that are even classified as smoke control areas.
  • Stylish design- just like average size multi-fuel stoves, compact ones are available in a range of stylish designs, including more contemporary or traditional options, to suit any home.

For more information or advice, or for installation of your new compact multi-fuel stove, get in touch today with the experts here at JMS Stoves.

Size considerations for your wood burning stove

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There are a number of considerations to bear in mind when choosing a wood burning stove for your property, including the material choice. the style and the size. Choosing the right size stove for your space can be more important than any other consideration, and should be a top priority. But what are the important size considerations for your wood burning stove? Well, here at JMS Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, we are leading stove experts. From multi-fuel stoves, to wood-burning stoves, we have a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise. And this is our guide to everything you should know about choosing the right size wood burning stove.

What are the important size considerations for your wood burning stove?

There are a number of important considerations to take into account when choosing the size of your wood burning stove. These considerations include:

  • The size of the room- make sure you measure the size of the room that you will be installing the wood burning stove into, to get a god idea of the cubic area. This will help you determine which size wood burner you will need. Simple divide the cubic area by 14 to the get the kW output. If this is less than 6, you will need a small log burner. If this is between 7 and 9 you will need a medium sized good burner, but if this is between 10 and 15, you should choose a large model.
  • The airflow- ventilation is an important consideration for wood burners with an output of 5 kW or more. You could consider a ventilation kit, or an air brick. Even in small spaces with a small burner, you should ensure high quality ventilation.
  • Building regulations- building regulations surrounding wood burners determine that you need to keep a gap of 950mm at least, from flammable materials. There should also be at least a 225mm gap at the front of the burner and a 150mm gap between the sides.

For more information or advice, or to choose your new wood burning or multi-fuel stove, get in touch with the experts today, here at JMS Stoves.