Guide · Choosing
How to choose the right wood burning stove
Start with heat output. As a rough guide, a reasonably insulated room needs about 1kW of stove output for every 14 cubic metres of space, so most living rooms suit a 4 to 6kW stove. Then decide wood-only or multi-fuel, check the stove is DEFRA exempt if you live in a smoke control area, and pick a size and style that suits the room. We size it properly on the survey.
Updated 7 July 2026
Getting the heat output right
This is the part people most often get wrong. A stove that is too powerful for the room gets run shut down or with the door cracked, which burns dirty and dirties the glass. A stove that is too small never quite heats the space. Measure the room, allow roughly 1kW per 14 cubic metres for a typical home, and adjust for how well insulated and draughty it is.
Wood-burning or multi-fuel
A dedicated wood-burning stove is often preferred for a cleaner, more efficient burn. A multi-fuel stove can burn both wood and approved smokeless fuels, which suits some homes and heating habits. We will talk you through which suits you and how you plan to use the room.
DEFRA exempt and smoke control areas
Many towns and cities, including much of Leeds and York, are smoke control areas. In those, you need a DEFRA-exempt stove to burn wood legally. A DEFRA-exempt appliance is also cleaner-burning, so it is a sensible choice even where it is not required.
Style, size and efficiency
Once the output and fuel are settled, the rest is about fit and finish: a size and shape that suits the opening or the space, a style that works with the room, and an efficient, Ecodesign-ready stove that gets the most heat from the wood. We bring samples and options to the survey so you can see them in your own home.
Common questions
What size wood burning stove do I need?
As a rough guide, allow about 1kW of output for every 14 cubic metres of room, so most living rooms suit a 4 to 6kW stove. We measure the room on the survey and recommend the right output for you.
Can a stove be too big for the room?
Yes. An oversized stove gets run shut down or with the door open, which burns dirty and blackens the glass. Sizing it to the room is more important than buying the biggest stove you can.
Wood-burning or multi-fuel, which is better?
A dedicated woodburner tends to give a cleaner, more efficient burn. A multi-fuel stove adds the option of approved smokeless fuels. The right choice depends on how you plan to use the room, which we help you decide.
What does DEFRA exempt mean?
A DEFRA-exempt stove is approved to burn wood in a smoke control area, which covers much of Leeds and York. It is also cleaner-burning, so it is a good choice even outside those areas.
Thinking about a stove?
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