Field notes
Advice from the workshop and the fireside
Honest, practical notes on stoves, fireplaces and flues, written by the person who fits them. No jargon and no sales pressure, just answers to the questions we get asked most across Yorkshire.
Field Notes is where we answer the questions that usually come up before a survey: how to choose a wood burning stove, what a fireplace installation involves, when a chimney liner is needed and how HETAS paperwork protects the job afterwards.
Start here if you want plain advice before calling. The longer stove and fireplace guides go deeper on costs, flues and design choices, while thecase studies show how those decisions look in real homes from Leeds across to Scarborough.
Why does my wood burning stove glass go black?
Black stove glass usually comes down to wet wood, burning too low, or shut air controls. Here is why it happens and how to keep the glass clear.
Read the note →Seasoned vs kiln dried firewood: which should you burn?
Both can be fine if the wood is genuinely dry, under 20 percent moisture. Kiln dried is reliably ready now, seasoned is cheaper if stored well. Wet wood is the real enemy.
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Chimney Fire Safety Week 2026: seven checks before winter
Chimney Fire Safety Week runs from 7 to 13 September 2026. Use these seven practical checks to prepare your stove and chimney for safer winter use.
Read the note →Can you fit a wood burning stove in a small room?
Yes, small rooms take stoves well, with the right output and the right clearances. Here is how we size and fit a stove so you are warm, not roasted.
Read the note →How often should a wood burning stove be swept?
A wood burning stove should be swept at least once a year, and more often with heavy use or multi-fuel burning. Here is why it matters and how our annual service works.
Read the note →Wood burning stove vs open fire: what's the real difference?
A wood burning stove gives you far more usable heat than an open fire, with less smoke and mess. Here is the honest difference, and what converting involves.
Read the note →Do wood burning stoves add value to your home?
A well-fitted, HETAS-certified wood burning stove can be a strong selling feature and a natural focal point. Here is where it helps most, and why the paperwork matters.
Read the note →How much wood will I actually burn in a winter?
An honest look at how much wood a stove really gets through over a Yorkshire winter, and the small choices that make a load of logs last.
Read the note →When is the best time of year to have a stove fitted?
The best time of year to install a wood burning stove is late summer to early autumn, before the winter rush. Here is why, and how the survey-to-fitted journey works.
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Are wood burning stoves cheaper than central heating?
An honest look at whether a wood burning stove is cheaper to run than central heating, what actually decides the cost, and how to get the most from one in a Yorkshire home.
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How long does it take to install a wood burning stove?
The honest answer to how long a wood burning stove takes to fit, from the day on site to the full journey from enquiry to first light, and why summer is the time to book.
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Wood burning vs multi fuel stove: which is right for your home?
The honest difference between a wood burning and a multi fuel stove, and how to pick the right one for your room, your chimney and how you actually plan to use it.
Read the note →Your enquiry
Send your enquiry to Chris
Our home survey expert will review your details and email you about the next steps.
HETAS-registered installs. We cover Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Ripon, Malton, Thirsk and Scarborough.
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