Wood Burning Stove Installation Guide | Sussex Eco Solutions
Updated: 6 days ago
Thinking about installing a wood burning stove? A wood burner can add warmth, character and a focal point to your home, but successful installation involves much more than choosing a stove you like.
From assessing your chimney and choosing the right stove to checking ventilation, hearth requirements and flue arrangements, every installation needs to be considered carefully.
At Sussex Eco Solutions, we supply and professionally install wood burning stoves across Sussex. Our process starts with understanding your home and requirements, followed by a site survey to establish what type of stove and installation will be suitable.
Wood Burning Stove Installation: What Does It Involve?
A typical wood burning stove installation can involve:
Choosing the correct stove and heat output
Assessing the room and existing fireplace
Inspecting an existing chimney
Checking hearth requirements
Assessing ventilation and air supply
Installing or adapting a flue or chimney liner
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm
Checking clearances from combustible materials
Installing and commissioning the stove
Completing the relevant certification and notification
The exact requirements vary from one property to another, which is why a site survey is an important part of the process.
Building Regulations guidance for combustion appliances covers matters including air supply, discharge of combustion products, hearths, fireplaces, flues and chimneys.
Choosing the Right Wood Burning Stove
The stove needs to be appropriate for the room, property and proposed installation. One of the most important considerations is heat output.
A stove that is too powerful for the room can make it uncomfortable and encourage you to run the appliance inefficiently. A stove that is too small may struggle to provide the heat you need.
The best way to establish the appropriate output is to have your room and property assessed rather than relying solely on a simple online calculation.
You'll also need to consider:
The size of the room
How well insulated the property is
The age and construction of the building
The position of the stove
Existing chimney arrangements
Whether additional ventilation is required
The style and dimensions of the fireplace or hearth
Our showroom has a range of wood burning stoves, so you can compare different styles and discuss which options may be suitable for your home.
Wood Burning Stove or Multi-Fuel Stove?
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are designed with different fuel arrangements.
A dedicated wood burning stove is designed primarily for burning logs, while a multi-fuel stove can be designed to burn wood and other permitted solid fuels.
If you are planning to burn wood, it's important to use appropriate, dry fuel and operate the appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Does My Home Need a Chimney?
Not necessarily.
If your property has a suitable existing chimney, it may be possible to install a wood burning stove using the existing chimney after it has been properly assessed. If there isn't a suitable chimney, a new flue system may be possible. For example, a twin-wall flue can sometimes be installed through the property and terminate above the roof.
The appropriate solution depends on the building, the stove and the proposed route of the flue. This is one of the reasons a professional site survey is so important.
Do I Need a Chimney Liner?
If you are using an existing chimney, your installer will need to establish whether it is suitable for the proposed appliance. A chimney may need to be lined depending on its condition, construction and the requirements of the appliance and installation. A chimney liner can help provide an appropriate route for combustion gases and may be necessary where the existing chimney isn't suitable for the new installation. Your installer should assess the chimney rather than assuming that an existing chimney is automatically suitable.
Wood Burning Stove Hearth Requirements
The stove needs to sit on a suitable hearth that provides appropriate protection for the surrounding building. The exact requirements depend on the appliance and installation, including factors such as the stove design, its position and the materials surrounding it.
This is particularly important where the stove is being installed near combustible materials such as timber flooring, wooden beams or other combustible construction.
Rather than relying on a generic measurement, the hearth and clearances should be assessed against the relevant Building Regulations guidance and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Does a Wood Burning Stove Need Ventilation?
In some installations, additional ventilation may be required to provide the appliance with sufficient combustion air. This can depend on the stove's rated output, the construction and airtightness of the property and the requirements of the installation.
A site survey should establish whether additional ventilation is needed and, if so, the appropriate solution. This could involve a dedicated air supply or ventilation through an external wall, depending on the property and appliance. Ventilation shouldn't be treated as an optional extra: the air supply and discharge of combustion products are specifically addressed by Building Regulations.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide alarm is an important part of a new solid-fuel appliance installation.
Approved Document J provides guidance for carbon monoxide alarms associated with fixed solid-fuel appliances, including their positioning and performance requirements.
Your installer should make sure the appropriate alarm is provided and positioned correctly. A carbon monoxide alarm is an important safety measure, but it does not replace correct installation, commissioning and regular maintenance of the appliance.
What Happens During a Wood Burning Stove Installation?
Every installation is different, but the process will usually involve several stages.
1. Site survey
Before installation, the property is assessed to establish what is required.
This can include looking at:
The fireplace opening
Existing chimney
Flue route
Hearth
Room dimensions
Ventilation
Clearances
Position of the stove
Surrounding materials
This allows the installer to identify any preparation work before installation day. 2. Preparing the fireplace
Depending on the property, preparation could include opening up an existing fireplace, altering the hearth, making good surrounding areas or preparing a new fireplace opening.
3. Preparing the flue
If an existing chimney is being used, it may require cleaning, inspection and/or lining.
If there is no suitable chimney, an alternative flue system may need to be designed and installed.
4. Installing the stove
Once the fireplace, hearth and flue arrangements are ready, the stove can be positioned and connected. The installer will make sure the flue connections are secure and that the installation complies with the relevant requirements and the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Testing and commissioning
The completed installation needs to be checked and commissioned before the stove is handed over. A competent installation should include the appropriate testing, documentation and notification/certification.
Why Use a HETAS Registered Installer?
For a solid-fuel appliance, using a properly trained and registered competent installer gives you an important additional layer of assurance. HETAS states that its registered installers are trained and assessed to carry out compliant work, and that customers can receive a certificate of compliance following completion of an installation in England and Wales. Our installation team includes HETAS Registered Installers, giving you confidence that your wood burning stove installation is carried out by appropriately trained professionals.
Can I Install a Wood Burning Stove Myself?
DIY installation is possible in some circumstances, but it is not a straightforward DIY project. A wood burning stove involves combustion, high temperatures, flues and potentially carbon monoxide. The installation also needs to comply with Building Regulations and the manufacturer's instructions. If you aren't experienced with solid-fuel appliance installation, professional installation is recommended. Using a registered competent-person scheme such as HETAS can also simplify the certification and notification process.
Can I Have a Wood Burning Stove in a Smoke Control Area?
Possibly, but there are additional rules.
In a Smoke Control Area in England, you cannot emit smoke from a chimney and you can only burn authorised fuel unless you are using an appropriate exempt appliance.
If you are considering a wood burning stove, check whether your property is within a Smoke Control Area and make sure the stove is suitable for the location.
What Wood Can I Burn?
The fuel you use matters.
For domestic wood sold in England in quantities under 2 cubic metres, the wood must be certified as Ready to Burn, with requirements relating to moisture content and labelling. Always follow the stove manufacturer's instructions regarding suitable fuels.
Do not burn household rubbish, treated timber or unsuitable waste materials in your stove.
How Much Does Wood Burning Stove Installation Cost?
The cost of installing a wood burning stove varies considerably depending on the property and the work required.
For example, costs can be affected by:
Whether there is an existing chimney
Whether the chimney needs lining
Hearth requirements
Fireplace preparation
Flue requirements
Ventilation
The stove selected
Any plastering or making-good work
Access to the property
This is why a site survey is the best way to establish what your installation will require.
How Long Does a Wood Burning Stove Installation Take?
The time required depends on the complexity of the installation. A relatively straightforward installation using an existing fireplace and chimney may be considerably quicker than a project requiring:
A new flue
Chimney lining
Fireplace alterations
A new hearth
Plastering or making good
Additional ventilation
Your installer should be able to give you a more accurate indication following the site survey.
What Happens After Installation?
Once your wood burning stove has been installed and commissioned, your installer should explain how to operate it safely and efficiently. Your stove's manufacturer's instructions should always be followed. It is also important to keep the chimney and appliance properly maintained and swept at appropriate intervals.
Wood Burning Stove Installation in Sussex
Sussex Eco Solutions supplies and installs wood burning stoves for homes across West Sussex and East Sussex. Our installation service covers areas including Littlehampton, Worthing, Brighton and Chichester, as well as surrounding areas across Sussex. Our process is designed to take you from initial advice and product selection through to site survey, professional installation and completion.
We can help with:
Choosing the right wood burning stove
Stove sizing
Fireplace preparation
Chimney and flue requirements
Installation
Certification
Making good
Visit Our Sussex Showroom
Choosing a wood burning stove is much easier when you can see the appliances in person. At the Sussex Eco Solutions showroom in Littlehampton, you can explore a range of fires, stoves, fireplaces and hearths and discuss your requirements with the team.
If you're considering a new wood burning stove, bring photographs of your room and fireplace where possible. These can help start the conversation about what might work in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a chimney for a wood burning stove?
Not necessarily. A suitable existing chimney can sometimes be used, while properties without an appropriate chimney may be able to use a new flue system.
Does a wood burning stove need a hearth?
A suitable hearth is normally required, with the exact requirements depending on the appliance and installation.
Does a wood burner need ventilation?
Some installations require additional ventilation. This depends on the appliance, property and installation requirements.
Do I need planning permission for a wood burning stove?
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate considerations. Whether planning permission is required can depend on the property and proposed work, particularly for listed buildings or properties in conservation areas. Check with your local planning authority if you're unsure.
Can I install a wood burner myself?
It may be possible in some circumstances, but solid-fuel appliance installation is technically demanding and must comply with Building Regulations and the manufacturer's instructions. Professional installation is recommended.
How often should a wood burning stove chimney be swept?
This depends on the appliance, fuel and frequency of use. Regular sweeping is important to maintain the chimney safely and efficiently.
Ready to Install a Wood Burning Stove?
If you're considering a wood burning stove for your home, the best place to start is with a conversation about your property.
Visit the Sussex Eco Solutions showroom or request a Installation and our team can help you understand what is possible, what type of stove may suit your home and what installation work will be required.
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