MYTH: You can't have a wood burning stove if you live in a smoke free zone. REALITY: Many modern stoves are so clean burning they can be used even in smoke-free zones. The stove will clearly state if it is suitable for use in a smoke-free zone, but ask your retailer if you are concerned.
MYTH: Burning wood is bad for the environment REALITY: When a tree is burned, it releases carbon into the atmosphere - but only what it has absorbed in its lifetime. So in that respect it is carbon neutral and much greener than burning fossil fuels.
MYTH: You don't have to worry about Carbon Monoxide (CO) when you use a wood burning stove. REALITY: This is a common and potentially very dangerous misconception. Burning any fuel can produce deadly CO - so it is vital you follow standard safety tips, such as ensuring that you have sufficient ventilation, your appliance if properly fitted, your chimney is clear, the stove is well maintained and that you have an audible alarm.
MYTH: The person who fitted my gas central heating can install a wood-burning stove for me. REALITY: NO! This could be extremely dangerous. Just as a plumber can't do electrical work, someone who is qualified to work on gas appliances isn't necessarily able to work on wood-burners. It may appear less dangerous, but the risks from Carbon Monoxide are serious if the fitting isn't done properly. Make sure you use a HETAS accredited installer, as they are the only ones qualified to work with solid fuel appliances.
MYTH: The initial cost outweighs any savings you might make REALITY: Stoves come in a range of prices, so you can spend as much or as little as you like. It is important to have it fitted by a qualified HETAS engineer, so never try and save money by installing it yourself. In terms of heating savings - wood costs vary depending on if you collect and season the wood yourself or buy ready to burn kiln dried wood. If you have an energy efficient heating system a stove will reduce demand on your boiler.
MYTH: They can't heat a room - or the house - as well as central heating. REALITY: Wood burning stoves can heat the room they are installed in or even the whole house. This can be achieved by back boiler installation connected in conjunction with your central heating system or using ducted hot air to be fanned throughout your property.
MYTH: A wood-burning stove isn't much more efficient than my open fire REALITY: Most quality wood-burning stoves will operate at between 70-85 percent efficiency with the door closed. That means just 15-30 percent of the heat is lost up the chimney. With an open fire, the efficiency is probably nearer to 20 percent, meaning over four fifths of the heat is lost.
MYTH: Wood burning stoves are a nightmare to clean REALITY: Many modern stoves now come with cleanburn technology, which helps keep the glass clean by blowing super hot air down it, reducing any cleaning required. Of course ashes do need removing from time to time, but usually once a week rather than daily compared to open fires. Your chimney should be cleaned annually by a professional to make sure there's no build up and to ensure safety and efficiency.
MYTH: Anything can be burnt on a wood-burning stove REALITY: Ideally you should only burn seasoned, untreated wood, unless you have a multi-fuel stove. If you burn rubbish or treated wood (for example, wood that has been painted or varnished) you risk releasing harmful chemicals and causing a nasty build up in your stove. Some paper is fine and can help to get the fire going, but stick to plain newspapers or paper, without any plastic element, and don't overdo it.
MYTH: I have a very modern house and wood-burners always seem quite traditional to me REALITY: There really is a wood burner to suit every home. Several quality brands produce some very modern looking wood-burners now, such as the Dutch designer Harrie Leenders or the Belgian Stuv range. For example, the Harrie Leenders Pharos Interior hangs down suspended from the ceiling, and can be rotated around the room if required - it wouldn't look out of place in a modern art gallery! Some of the Stuv stoves can come with very modern surrounds which can pretty much suit any style of home, no matter how modern.
MYTH: We can't have a wood-burner because we have nowhere to store the wood REALITY: The wood for stoves needs to be kept dry and ventilated. If there is no room for a dedicated wood store, many people use a garage, shed or even a watertight box in the garden. It depends how much wood you will need to burn and how you plan on sourcing your wood. It may be someone can deliver more frequently for you, removing the need for an external place to store the wood altogether.
MYTH: Wood-burning stoves go out after a couple of hours, leaving you to return to a cold house REALITY: If you have chosen the right stove for your home, you are keeping it clean and you are using it correctly, with appropriate fuel, a wood-burner should be able to keep going for some time if you want it to. Some stoves now come with a slow burner option, which means you can keep the fire at its very minimum perhaps overnight, but it is ready to rekindle at a moment's notice.
MYTH: Having a wood burning stove is a lot of hard work, compared to flicking a switch on the central heating. REALITY: Some people who have a wood-burner love to make collecting wood a family activity. Others have wood delivered and it's as easy as loading the ready seasoned wood into the stove and lighting it. If you ask people who have a wood-burner if any extra effort is worth it, I'm absolutely sure the majority would say yes!
