13 June 2009

Buying Coal Stoves - Things To Consider

Berry 2900 Coal Effect Electric StoveImage by jryoung via Flickr

By Jim Carpenter

Coal stoves are a very effective method for heating your home, nonetheless before you rush out to purchase one there are a number of things which need to be taken into consideration beforehand. It is vital that you know what these issues are because this will aid you to decide easily which is the right coal stove for your own home.

First off you need to examine your home to see whether there is the availability for you to have a chimney installed if you do not have one currently. Although most coal stoves today come with metal chimney pipes and can easily be placed along an outside wall, you need to determine if you require permission to install such an item on your property first. The easiest way is to go to your local authority and see what regulations are in place with regards to installation of external chimney pipes.

If you already have a chimney in your home and wish to have a coal stove rather than the open fire you currently have then it needs to be inspected by a professional before works are carried out. This company should be able to quickly identify any problems and offer a solution to the problem so that you can soon have your coal stove up and running.

You need your chimney to be in good working order as this is what not only helps to vent the coal stove, but also helps to prevent toxic fumes from being able to enter into your home. Therefore after you have had your stove installed it is crucial that you actually set up a regular chimney maintenance program. Ideally arrange to have your chimney inspected and cleaned every six months or once a year. If you are going to be using your stove throughout the year then it is best to have it checked every six months as this will help to prevent any build up in the chimney.

Next you need to consider the size of coal stove that will actually meet your own particular requirements. What size you select will depend on the size of the room into which it is going to be installed and how many other rooms in the house that it will be used to heat.

So you taken into consideration all the factors we have mentioned above and now you need to get the coal stove you have purchased installed. It is best that you select a company who deal in all aspects of this heating equipments installation. Some general building contractors can do the work but they often do not have a complete understanding of how the various parts go together. Rather if you can ask the store where you purchased your coal stove from if they can recommend a company to do the work.

Once installed it is important that when being used regularly your coal stove should be regularly checked. Just doing a visual inspection of yours will quickly help you to identify if there are any problems. Also if you only use yours through the winter months then prior to lighting it for the first time check all the seals, glass and grates and replace if any have become worn or damaged.

Coal stoves as mentioned are a great way of ensuring that your home remains warm throughout the winter months. However, if you really want yours to be truly effective you need to make sure that you take care of it properly and that you use the best kind of fuel possible.

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