Indoor heating guides

Straight, practical answers to the questions people ask us most, from sizing a stove to keeping a fire pit from rusting.

Indoor heating 9 min read Gas Fire Types Explained: Conventional Flue, Balanced Flue and FluelessWhich gas fire you can have depends on your flue. Here is how conventional, balanced, power flue and flueless fires work, what... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Chimney or No Chimney? Every Way to Have a Stove or Fire, ExplainedA chimney opens up every option, but no chimney does not mean no fire. Here is what works with each type of... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Are Wood Burners Being Banned? The Rules in England in 2026, ExplainedThere is no ban on owning or using a wood burner. What exists are rules on which stoves can be sold, what... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Do I Need an Air Vent for a Log Burner? The 5kW Rule ExplainedIn England, in most homes built before 2008, a stove of 5kW or less needs no extra air vent; above 5kW, or... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read What Size Stove Do I Need? Work Out the Right kW for Your RoomAs a rough guide, divide your room volume in cubic metres by 14 to get the kW you need. Here is the... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Why Is My Log Burner Smoking Into the Room? Causes and FixesWhen and how a log burner smokes tells you what is wrong. Here is how to diagnose it, fix the simple causes... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Installing a Wood Burner Without a Chimney: Twin Wall Flue Guide for Modern HomesA twin wall insulated flue lets you fit a wood burner in a home with no chimney. Here is how the internal... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Choosing a Cast Iron Period Fireplace: Inserts vs Combination FireplacesA cast iron insert sits inside a separate surround; a combination fireplace is surround and insert in one casting. Here is how... Read the guide
Indoor heating 6 min read How to Maintain a Log Burner: Daily, Monthly and Yearly ChecklistA few minutes a week, regular chimney sweeping and a yearly service keep a log burner safe and efficient for many years.... Read the guide
Indoor heating 10 min read What Is the Best Wood to Burn in a Log Burner? UK Firewood GuideDryness matters more than species, but some woods do burn longer and hotter. Here is how the common UK firewoods compare, how... Read the guide
Indoor heating 8 min read Common Wood Burning Stove Problems and How to Fix ThemMost wood burner problems come down to wet wood, the wrong air settings or a flue that needs attention. Here are ten... Read the guide
Indoor heating 10 min read How Tall Should My Chimney Be? Chimney and Flue Height Rules ExplainedApproved Document J suggests a minimum flue height of 4.5m for a stove and sets clear rules for where the chimney leaves... Read the guide
Indoor heating 7 min read How to Light a Log Burner: The Top-Down Method, Step by StepOpen the vents, warm the flue and light a top-down fire with dry logs and natural firelighters. Here is the full method,... Read the guide