Buying guide
FDC Eco stoves pack high efficiency into small bodies. If you have a modest room, a shallow fireplace or a smoke control area to work with, they are among the first stoves we suggest.
About FDC
FDC (UK) Ltd, trading as FDCUK, describes itself as bringing warmth to the trade since 1997. Based in Dinton, Wiltshire, it supplies fireplaces, surrounds, stoves and related products through retailers and stockists across the UK, and has an in-house workshop for bespoke fireplace design. The Eco stoves are FDC's own range; the Declaration of Performance in the manual names Charlton and Jenrick Ltd as the manufacturer.
The four stoves compared
| Model | Output (range) | Efficiency (wood / smokeless) | H x W x D | Weight | Max log |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDC4 Eco | 4kW (3.0 to 6.3kW) | 81.8% / 79.8% | 510 x 370 x 210mm | About 50kg | About 300mm |
| FDC5 Eco | 5kW (3.8 to 8.5kW) | 81.7% / 79.5% | 510 x 370 x 260mm | About 60kg | About 300mm |
| FDC5W Eco | 5kW (4.0 to 7.7kW) | 80.8% / 81.6% | 570 x 440 x 260mm | About 70kg | About 375mm |
| FDC8 Eco | 8kW (5.8 to 8.2kW) | 81.1% / 82.9% | 570 x 440 x 310mm | About 80kg | About 375mm |
All four are steel stoves with ceramic firebox liners and a ceramic glass window, with a ClearSkies Level 5 rating. FDC specifies a 12mm hearth extending 225mm in front and 150mm each side, and gives the clearances to walls and combustible materials in the manual.
Which FDC stove?
- FDC4: the smallest, just 210mm deep, for a small room or shallow fireplace.
- FDC5: the same compact front with a deeper firebox and 5kW.
- FDC5W: a wider body and window, taking logs of about 375mm.
- FDC8: the wide body with 8kW for larger rooms; it will normally need an air vent.
The FDC4, FDC5 and FDC5W are rated at 5kW or less, so in most homes built before about 2008 they need no dedicated air vent in England. Distances to combustibles are smaller with FDC's optional rear heat shields; each listing gives the figures.
Built for small spaces
The FDC4 and FDC5 share a 370mm wide front that fits many original fireplace openings, and the FDC4 is only 210mm deep, which helps in shallow recesses and small rooms. The FDC5W and FDC8 share a wider 440mm front with a bigger window, so you see more of the fire. All four have a 125mm outlet. FDC allows a 5 inch liner when burning smokeless fuel or seasoned wood with the air limiter fitted, as Approved Document J allows for exempt stoves, but recommends a 6 inch (150mm) flue.
Running an FDC stove
Light with the air controls open and kindling on top of a few small logs, then turn down once the stove is hot to a steady, lively flame. On wood, keep a thin bed of ash; on smokeless fuel, riddle the grate so air reaches the fuel from below and empty the ash pan before it fills. Burn logs under 20% moisture. Fire and rescue services recommend sweeping the chimney quarterly while burning wood regularly, and at least once a year on smokeless fuel only.
Fuel and installation
All four are multi-fuel: burn dry wood under 20% moisture or approved smokeless fuel, and in a smoke control area only the fuel their exemption covers. Installation is by a HETAS registered installer, with a carbon monoxide alarm in the room; use 125mm stove pipe and a suitable hearth.
Buying FDC from us
Each listing gives the output range, efficiency on both fuels, dimensions, weight and log length. Delivery is free to England and Wales. For questions, contact us or email info@glowingflames.co.uk.
Common questions
Who makes FDC Eco stoves?
They are the own range of FDC (UK) Ltd, a trade supplier since 1997; the manual's Declaration of Performance names Charlton and Jenrick Ltd as the manufacturer.
Are FDC Eco stoves smoke control exempt?
Yes, all four are listed as exempt for smoke control areas in England.
Are FDC stoves multi-fuel?
Yes. They burn wood or approved smokeless fuel.
What is the smallest FDC stove?
The FDC4 Eco, 510mm high, 370mm wide and 210mm deep.
What flue size do FDC stoves need?
125mm, from a top or rear outlet.
What hearth do they need?
FDC specifies a 12mm hearth extending 225mm in front and 150mm each side.
Do I need an air vent?
Not normally for the FDC4, FDC5 or FDC5W in an older home in England. The FDC8 normally needs one.
How far can the output be turned down?
FDC gives an output range for each stove: 3.0kW to 6.3kW for the FDC4 and 3.8kW to 8.5kW for the FDC5, for example. Size the stove on its nominal output.
What is ClearSkies Level 5?
A rating from the ClearSkies certification scheme for stove emissions. All four FDC Eco stoves carry it.
Small stove, big efficiency
Compare the four FDC Eco stoves on each listing.