A woodburner can be a practical and eco-friendly option for the home, as well as a covetable centrepiece. Emily Brooks explains how to choose the right model

Efficient, sustainable and often employed as a designer focal point, woodburning stoves are almost impossible to resist. Assuming you don’t mind the modest effort involved in obtaining the fuel, preparing a fire and emptying the ash pan (and for many, these rituals are part of the enjoyment), they are ultra-stylish features that look as good as they perform.

Today’s stoves are around 70%-80% efficient – far more effective at heating a room than an open fire – and come in a massive selection of designs. There is a woodburner to suit the majority of budgets, room sizes and situations, from products that fit neatly into a corner to dual-aspect and rotating versions. Here’s an outline of what you should know before you buy.

New from Charnwood, the Arc7 (from £1,995) is Ecodesign Ready, meaning that it meets forthcoming emissions rules

Choosing the right model

Any potential purchase should start with calculating the correct heat output for your proposed space. Putting the dimensions of the room into an online calculator can give a rough idea, but a site survey from your installer will provide the true picture. The energy efficiency of your home can make a huge difference to sizing the appliance. New builds will require lower outputs than draughty period properties, for instance, and manufacturers have responded to this by providing a wider choice of smaller models. “Sales of 5kW output stoves are increasing, mainly due to less heat being required in today’s better-insulated houses, along with the fact that stoves are being installed into smaller rooms,” says Vicky Naylor, general manager at ACR Stoves.