In the UK,
nearly all homes use a central heating system to keep warm during the colder
months. English weather can be extremely unpredictable and during the winter,
it’s not uncommon to have the heating on for a few hours a day to warm up after
a day of battling the elements. Radiators are extremely effective at heating up
a room, however, there’s nothing quite like curling up in front of an open
fire.
As well as
being a great source of heat, a traditional fireplace adds a touch of majestic
grandeur to a living space and is bound to be an extremely striking feature in
any property. However, whereas many period properties have built-in fireplaces,
this is not a common component of new builds. Owning a home with a working
fireplace is the dream for many buyers, but what’s the alternative if your new
property is lacking in this department?
A stove is
the modern day alternative to a classic open fireplace. Nowadays, many
contemporary properties are being built without fireplaces and as a result, the
traditional model is arguably dying out. Whilst this is indeed a pity, it’s
also a time for wood and multi-fuel stoves to shine. Many believe that a grand
open fireplace is unrivalled in both style and heat radiance, but this simply
isn’t the case. Wood stoves have the ability to heat up a room quickly and
efficiently, and with so many makes and models on the market, there’s bound to
be a design to suit any and every household.
Stove
installation is undoubtedly the best alternative to a traditional fireplace.
However, we understand that this can be a difficult pill to swallow if you’ve
been dreaming of evenings spent relaxing in front of a crackling open fire.
With this in mind, we’ve listed the reasons why having a stove installed is
often preferable to having a fireplace built.
Freedom and flexibility
One of the
great things about a stove is that it can be installed virtually anywhere in a
property. Whereas the placement of a traditional fireplace is dictated by where
the chimney is, stoves do not require a chimney to function. Contemporary
properties are often bought without existing chimneys and with this in mind, a
stove is likely to be a simple and fuss-free fireplace alternative. When a wood
or multi-fuel stove is installed, purpose-built flue systems are implemented to
vent emissions outdoors. So, as long as there is the space needed to mount a
flue, your stove can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Many of us want
the freedom and flexibility to take control of home improvements and stove
heaters give us the opportunity to do so.
Another
thing that makes stoves so appealing is the simple installation. Building a
fireplace into a property can be a reasonably big project that often requires
costly masonry work. Traditional fireplaces are usually constructed using stone
or bricks and can therefore take time to build. However, stove installation
offers a less disruptive and cheaper alternative. After your home has been
surveyed, a specialist will then be able to install your chosen stove and flue
with no need for intricate building work.
Efficiency and the importance of hiring a
chimney sweep
Although
there is indeed something spellbinding about a classic open fireplace, it is
not the most efficient means of heating up a room. A chimney acts as an outlet
for smoke to be filtered out of your home, however, it also allows heat to
escape too. Wood stoves radiate heat from all angles and although the flame is
shielded, this actually reduces the amount of heat that is lost.
It’s been
said that whilst an open fire loses 80% of its output to the chimney,
a wood stove will use 80% of the fuel you feed it to emit heat. This startling
statistic proves that not only do stoves operate way more efficiently, they are
also much more cost effective. A fire that loses heat so rapidly will
inevitably require more fuel to run, making it much more costly. However, a
wood burning stove is much less wasteful and could therefore save you a lot of
money in the long run.
When it
comes to fireplaces, log burners or stoves, the importance of flue and chimney
sweeping cannot be overstated. Although wood stoves do not require a chimney to
function, they do need a clear flue pipe that’s free of blockages in order to
filter out smoke effectively. In order to keep your burner operating at optimum
efficiency, it’s advisable to have your chimney flue swept at least once a
year, if not twice. As well as getting rid of any debris blocking your flue, a
chimney sweep will also be able to identify and fix any minor issues before
they turn into major ones, which could save you a lot of money and hassle
further down the line.
A sleek and stylish alternative to a
traditional fireplace
Wood and
multi-fuel stoves are the perfect addition to any contemporary property. Many
modern homes are now designed to be simultaneously stylish and practical which
is where a minimalistic style of decor comes into its own. Rather than being
cluttered with unnecessary bric-a-brac and busy decoration, a modern household
is simply designed to be classy and elegant. A wood stove fits perfectly with
such a design scheme and with so many different makes and models to choose
from, you’re bound to find one that compliments its surroundings.
Many wood
stoves are neutral in colour so as to subtly decorate a room, however, if you’d
like your stove to be an eye catching feature, why not look into different
colours? Here at Milborrow Chimney Sweeps, we stock and install a wide range of
stoves by different brands including AGA, Hunter and Milner. We also produce
bespoke hearths depending on the design preferences of the individual in
question to add a personal touch to your stove. To find out more about our
stove and boiler services, click here
to visit our website.
Environmentally friendly
At a time
when it’s more important than ever to be conscious of our carbon footprint,
investing in a wood burning stove could be the perfect solution. Whereas fossil
fuels such as coal emit high levels of carbon dioxide when burnt, wood is
considered to be ‘carbon neutral’. In other words, burning wood releases no
more carbon dioxide than a tree that is naturally decomposing in a forest,
making wood stoves a ‘greener’ alternative to coal burning fires.
As
previously mentioned, stoves are often far more efficient than open fireplaces
and can heat up a room more quickly using less fuel. All these factors
considered, installing a wood stove is a much more environmentally friendly
alternative to a fireplace.
Milborrow Chimney Sweeps: a fireplace
restoration and stove installation service operating in Sussex, Surrey &
Kent
At Milborrow
Chimney Sweeps, we have the expertise to provide all the necessary services
surrounding the maintenance and upkeep of fireplaces, log burners and wood
stoves. As well as being able to carry out necessary repairs to any existing
fireplaces, we also supply and install wood burning stoves. As a family run
business, we understand how important a personalised style of customer service
is. Our glowing reputation speaks for itself and we make it our business to
deliver a professional, top quality service with a smile.
We
understand that having a stylish stove or fireplace is only half the battle;
that’s why we also provide comprehensive chimney repair and sweeping services
to ensure your system remains functional all year round.
To find out more about what we do, or to book in
one of our services,
contact us
today. Invest in one of our stylish
wood burning stoves and make your living room complete with Milborrow Chimney
Sweeps.
