Installing a wood burner – a step by step guide

When we moved into our house, it felt far from being a home. There was so much renovation work to do that it seemed like we’d never make it our own. Over the past few years we’ve ripped out, removed and peeled away layers of the old and gradually replaced it with the new. Slowly but surely, it started to feel like our space. But if there’s one thing that has truly transformed the house into a home, it’s installing a wood burner.

A wood burning stove was pretty near the top of our wish list when we moved in. They provide a focal point, create a sense of welcome and just somehow really give the house a heart, but when we first thought about fitting one we had so many questions. What regulations did we need to follow? What work would we need to have done to done to the chimney and hearth to allow a stove to be fitted safely? Where could we find a qualified person to do it for us, and how much would it cost?

We also wanted to ensure our choice was as eco-friendly as possible. After our initial research on choosing a wood burning stove for our living room, we settled on the Arada Farringdon. As well as having the kind of clean minimal styling I love, it also meets strict environmental standards, ensuring that it causes the minimum amount of pollution.

What are the new rules on wood burning stoves in the UK?

Since our stove was fitted a few years ago the rules and regulations on wood-burning stoves in the UK have been updated to address environmental concerns, particularly around air pollution. Here are the key rules you should be aware of (updated as of October 2024):

1. Ecodesign Regulations

All new wood-burning stoves sold in the UK must comply with Ecodesign standards, which came into effect in 2022. These regulations ensure that stoves are designed to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5), a harmful pollutant. Stoves that meet these standards are more efficient and produce fewer emissions than older models.

2. Approved Fuels

You must use approved fuels in wood burners, particularly in Smoke Control Areas (typically urban areas). Wet wood and traditional house coal are now largely banned. Instead, you should use dry wood (with a moisture content of less than 20%) or manufactured solid fuels that are labeled as “Ready to Burn.” These cleaner fuels reduce harmful emissions by up to 50%.

3. Smoke Control Areas

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, which includes many urban locations, there are strict limits on the amount of smoke your stove can emit. Only DEFRA-exempt appliances can be used in these areas, and even then, you must burn authorised fuels. If your stove is not exempt, or you burn unauthorised fuel, you could face a fine, or further proceedings in the case of more serious violations.

4. Installation Rules

While planning permission is not typically required, you must follow Building Regulations when installing a wood burner, particularly concerning ventilation and flue installation. For safety and compliance, it’s recommended to use a HETAS-certified installer who can self-certify the installation.

if you’re thinking of fitting a wood burning stove in your home, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to wood burners and their installation, covering some of the main things you need to consider.

Key Considerations Before Installing a Wood Burner

If your home already has an existing chimney, the first thing you’ll need to think about is preparing the opening.

The original 1930s fireplace in our living room before and after we removed it.

The original 1930s fireplace in our living room was still intact when we moved in. While removing it was something we did ourselves in an afternoon, the stove installation itself is something that is best carried out by a qualified installer. You may want to choose one who is also able to do any building work that is required – opening up the chimney breast to create a larger opening, inserting a lintel or laying a new hearth stone for example.

Wood burner installation regulations

Unless you are planning to build a new chimney you don’t need planning permission to fit a log burner but you do need to make sure that the installation complies with building regulations. You should be able to find information about this on your local council’s website.

Finding a qualified installer

In the UK, you can search for qualified installers in your area on the HETAS website.

All HETAS registered installers will have been trained and assessed to carry out building regulations compliant work and will provide a Building Regulations compliance certificate upon completion of the work. This demonstrates that the installation complies with the relevant Building Regulations, so they basically notify your Local Authority building regulations department that the installation has taken place on your behalf. You’ll need this certificate to validate your home insurance and you may also be asked to provide it if you subsequently decide to sell your home.

Installing a wood burner in a smoke control area

In the UK, many urban areas are designated as Smoke Control Areas, where restrictions apply to the burning of solid fuels like wood and coal. To check if your home lies within one, you can:

• Contact your local council’s environmental services department. They can provide information specific to your area.
• Use online tools:
  • In England, check the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) interactive map.
  • For Scotland, you can use the Spatial Hub tool.
  • In Wales, visit DataMapWales.
  • Northern Ireland has its own Air Quality Map​.

Implications of living in a smoke control area

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, the regulations are stricter, and you must comply with the following:

1. Use of DEFRA-exempt appliances: Only appliances approved by DEFRA can be used to burn solid fuels. These appliances are designed to produce lower emissions.
2. Burning authorised fuels: You can only burn authorised fuels, which typically include dry wood and approved manufactured fuels. Wet wood and traditional house coal are not allowed due to their higher emission levels​.
3. Penalties for non-compliance: If your home is within a Smoke Control Area and you use non-exempt appliances or burn unauthorised fuels, you could face a fine.

If your home does lie within a smoke controlled area and you are planning to burn wood (as opposed to smokeless fuels) you will only be permitted to do so using an exempt appliance.

What is a DEFRA exempt stove?

Before choosing a stove, check with the manufacturer, retailer or installer to make sure that it is DEFRA exempt. A full list of DEFRA-exempt appliances can be found on the DEFRA Smoke Control website. These appliances meet the required emission standards, allowing them to be legally used in Smoke Control Areas​.

Choosing the right model size

Stoves come in a wide range of different sizes so you’ll want to choose one with a heat output that is suitable for the space it is going to be located within. You’ll need to calculate the heating requirement of the space in kilowatts. To do this measure the width, depth and height of the space in metres, multiply the three figures together and then divide by 14.

For example our living room measures 3.2 m wide by around 7m deep and is 2.4m high. This gave us a heating requirement of 3.84 kw, so a 5kw stove like the Farringdon Small Eco was fine for us. If your stove is going to be positioned in a large open plan space or in a room with very high ceilings then you may need to choose a model with a higher output.

Designing the fireplace

There are a number of regulations covering the construction of the hearth and how far away the stove is from plasterboard walls or any other combustible materials – your hearth must extend beyond the front of the stove door by a minimum distance, for example. This can have an impact on the design of your fireplace so if you are buying materials such as tiles or a new hearth stone it is worth checking the distance regulations with your installer or local building regulations inspector first to ensure that you order the correct size and amount.

The installation

Our installer completed the work over two days. In addition to fitting the stove and installing the flue liner this also included removing some of the existing bricks to open up the chimney breast (which immediately made the room feel bigger), rendering the back of the fireplace and laying a new hearth stone. He also installed a carbon monoxide detector.

Choosing the right type of wood

Wood with a low moisture content is best. We use kiln dried logs. After comparing them to a bag of regular logs we picked up from a garage forecourt we noticed the difference immediately. Wood with a higher moisture content creates more smoke which will cause a build up of tar in the flue and cause the glass on your stove to blacken. Wood kept outside can have surface moisture so we bring a few logs indoors first thing in the morning and keep them next to the fireplace ready for use later on in the evening.

FAQs

How much does it cost to install a wood burner in the UK?

This will vary depending on the amount of work involved. You’ll need to consider whether your existing fireplace is ready to accommodate a log burner or whether the old fire surround and hearth need to be removed. If the old fireplace needs to be removed you may need to have a lintel inserted to support the chimney breast. You may also need to have the area around the stove rendered or tiled. If you are installing a new fire surround and hearth then you’ll need to budget for additional labour and material costs accordingly. All of the above will affect the cost of the installation.

As a rough guide we paid around £1300 for our installation (which excluded the cost of the stove itself). This included fitting a flue liner, opening up the chimney breast, inserting a new lintel, rendering the brick opening and fitting a sandstone hearth stone which we purchased from a local architectural salvage yard.

Do you need permission to install a wood burning stove?

In the UK, you typically don’t need planning permission to install a wood burner, but you will need to adhere to building regulations and have your installation certified by a qualified installer.

Can I install a wood burner myself?

It is technically possible to install a wood burner yourself, as long as you undertake the work in accordance with building regulations and obtain a compliance certificate. Given the potential for life threatening danger caused by fire or toxic fumes from incorrectly installed stoves though it’s not a job for the average DIYer. Installing a wood burner is a job best carried out by a qualified installer.

What can you do on either side of the chimney breast?

Use one of these clever ideas for chimney breasts and alcoves to create a stylish storage or display area, or incorporate some wall lights to create a soft ambient mood.

Will installing a wood burner add value to my home?

Not necessarily, but it may very well make your property more desirable to prospective purchasers and therefore more saleable. As well as creating a key design feature within a space, in my view they just make a house feel more like a home.

Since we had our stove installed lighting it each evening in the autumn and winter months has become a daily ritual I look forward to. This simple act marks the time of day when I stop working, marking the transition from daytime to downtime. And as soon as it’s lit I know it’s time to relax for the evening, pour myself a drink and lay the table for dinner. It’s become my favourite part of the day. 

If you are thinking of fitting a wood burning stove in your home you will find lots of inspiration over on Pinterest .

All Images © Design Hunter

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