Fireplaces, stoves & fires; a Capital Fireplaces blog » stoves

Fitting your woodburning stove

Alex — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:03:18 +0000

The Capital Fireplaces and Esse range of Wood burning and Multifuel stoves should always be fitted by a HETAS registered engineer, much like a gas fire or appliance should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer (previously corgi),

HETAS is the official body recognised by the government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. Approving products such as boilers, cookers, open fires, stoves and room heaters.

Their useful website can help you find a chimney sweep, tell you about appliance efficiencies and has leaflets available to download including the Solid Fuel Association Leaflet (solid fuel is also known as multifuel) and a Carbon Monoxide leaflet outlining the concerns, (carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from your local fireplace stockist).

Sirius 405 Stove

Chesnuts roasting on an open fire

Alex — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:04:34 +0000

Here in the South East we have seen more snow fall and experienced the lowest temperatures for almost 30 years… and isn’t it great to sit yourself in front of the fire! It seems gone are the days when central heating was enough to keep the house warm, so when you get the chance to do it, go out and buy a Capital Fireplace, gas fire, electric fire or multi fuel burning stove because it really makes the house the best place to be when you get snowed in!

Internet selling

Alex — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:02:45 +0000

It is tempting for all of us (during this drawn out credit crunch) to push for discount and to look for the cheapest buying option. However, buying a Fireplace Mantel, Stone Fireplace, Marble Fireplace, Fireplace Suite, Cast Iron Fireplace or Stove is not generally a simple purchase, a it might be easy to find internet shops that will sell these kinds of products, but you must be aware that advice about the product before you purchase is vital. You need to know that the Fireplace/ Fire/Stove is suitable for your property (believe me it is a lot more complicated than you probably realise) and advice, fitting and good aftercare service is essential throughout your purchase. If you want to ensure peace of mind and good aftercare you should purchase your products through an Independent Fireplace Retailer. In addition you will be showing support for your local business during a difficult time for them!

The National Fireplace Assosiation recently released this article:

Many internet retailers fail to point out to their purchasers that the installation of their new wood-burning stove is governed by the Building Regulations. To paraphrase Approved Document J of the Building Regulations 2002, purchasers of solid fuel stoves (those burning wood fuels or coal based fuels) must either apply to their local authority building inspectorate for a Building Notice or use a registered member of a ‘Competent Persons’ scheme for solid fuels. The only competent persons scheme for solid fuel is run by HETAS, a not-for-profit company which approves solid fuel appliances and fuels as well as operating this ‘Competent Person’s’ scheme in England and Wales. The HETA web site at www.hetas.co.uk.

With little or no information received by purchasers from internet stove sellers, many try to install these stoves themselves unaware of the Building Regulation requirements or the possible danger of fire or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if these products are not installed properly. The National Fireplace Association, which is the trade body for the fireplace industry (fires, fireplaces and stoves powered by all types of fuel), would like to see each stove accompanied by a sheet spelling out the purchaser’s duty to have the stove installed safely in line with both the Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Will Santa come down your chimney?

Alex — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:11:12 +0000

How does Father Christmas manage to keep his beard gleaming white after jumping down millions of chimeys in one night?! Maybe he only chooses clean ones?!

Keeping your chimney clean especially in winter is important. A blocked chimney does not only create a lot of mess from soot fall and stop the fire working efficiently it can result in a chimney fire and contribute towards carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are not sure who to contact you may find this link to The National Association of Chimney Sweeps useful.

If you do keep your chimney swept, but still experince a few problems with downdraft, soot and rain fall than there is something you can do. Installation of a rain cap or chimney cowl will help protect the chimney from extreme weather conditions.

Woodburning stoves

Jamie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:27:55 +0000

Woodburning stoves are hugely popular throughout the UK perhaps because they are eco friendly, but also because they are clean and can generate a huge amount of heat that is distributed evenly throughout the room.

The Capital Sirius range offers 3 excellent options (essentially small, medium and large versions) the Sirius 405 stove, Sirius 545 stove and the Sirius 645 stove.

The Sirius 645 stove is the largest in our stoves family.

It has twin glazed doors and a burning area that can take logs up to 20’’ long and it can output upto 12kW of controlled heat (that’s a lot of heat)!

Sirius 405 Stove

Sirius 545 Stove

Sirius 645 Stove