Heating FAQs
Frequently asked questions on solid fuel, wood and pellet stoves and fires. Includes questions and answers on cleaning, enamel care, combustion, efficiency, external air, glass and more.
HOW DO I CLEAN AN ENAMEL SURFACE?
The enamel finish should only be cleaned when cool and to keep the enamel in the best condition observe the following tips:
Wipe over daily with a soapy damp cloth, followed by a polish with a clean dry duster.
For stubborn deposits a soap impregnated pad can be carefully used on the vitreous enamel.
Use only products recommended by the Vitreous Enamel Association. See our cookware site for enamel cleaner suitable for all our cast iron cookers and stoves. https://www.agacookware.ie/collections/cleaning-products
CAN I PAINT THE ENAMEL ON MY STOVE OR COOKER
If your stove or cooker has an enamel finish it would not be possible to paint it a different colour. To change colours you would need to change the relevant castings. If you have small marks on the enamel these can be touched up using the relevant colour of touch up paint which would be available through any of the local stockists. It is only advised to use touch up on very small marks.
Use only products recommended by the Vitreous Enamel Association. See our cookware site for enamel cleaner suitable for all our cast iron cookers and stoves. https://www.agacookware.ie/collections/cleaning-products
HOW DO I REPAIR ENAMEL DAMAGE?
Small impact marks on the enamel finish can be repaired using an appropriate enamel touch up (same can be purchased through your local Stanley dealer) but it should not be used to cover marks greater than Ø10mm or multiple marks on the same casting/area. Unfortunately, a replacement casting would need to be fitted if the touch-up paint is unsuitable.
WHERE CAN I GET SPARE PARTS?
At Waterford Stanley we stock spare parts on all cookers we sell today and hold spares parts on stoves and cookers discontinued up to 10 years.
Your local stockist will be pleased to supply spare parts and to provide any other information you require. For further information on your cooker and exploded views, go to the Heating Resource Centre section or to find your nearest Stockist.
WHAT IS THE BEST FUEL TO USE IN MY SOLID FUEL STOVE?
All our multi-fuel stoves are designed to burn anthracite, coal, turf, timber or briquettes. Due to the damp climate prevalent in Ireland, if burning turf, timber or briquettes it is essential that they are stored in a dry environment as they tend to absorb moisture which will affect the heat output they generate. For that reason, from our experience, coal or anthracite tend to be the best fuels to use as they do not require specific storage facilities and produce the highest heat output per kg.
WHAT IS ECODESIGN AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME?
Ecodesign is the European-wide programme to lower emissions from a range of appliances – solid fuel and wood - that use energy including stoves.
Ecodesign provides much tighter limits on a range of different emissions than the current EN13240 European standard and for the first-time testing of NOx (nitrogen oxides), OGC’s (organic gaseous compounds) and PM (particulate matter/ dust emissions) will become mandatory.
It will come into force across the EU on the 1st January 2022 and will apply to both wood burning and solid fuel stoves. Although much of the attention has been focused on wood burning, the regulations apply to all solid fuel stoves including central heating stoves.
Based on the emission reductions and new requirements, Ecodesign will significantly improve air quality and help the environment. From 2022 on consumers can only buy Ecodesign stoves, with some exceptions (see below).
WHERE ARE WATERFORD STANLEY WITH ECODESIGN CERTIFICATION?
Waterford Stanley is committed to certifying its current range of stoves together with sourcing new products which will be Ecodesign ready for 2022.
To date we have certified all our room heating stoves under wood and solid fuel. We are currently in the process of certifying our central heating stoves.
ARE THE ECODESIGN STOVES TESTED FOR A PARTICULAR FUEL?
As part of the Ecodesign, we as a distributor must declare the fuel that will be used in the stove. A multi fuel stove designated to burn coal will have a separate set of results to that of a wood burning stove. Waterford Stanley will declare and test our stoves with both anthracite (smokeless fuel) and wood where possible.
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN ECODESIGN APPROVED STOVE?
- Minimum efficiency rating of 75% for stoves
- Reduction of CO (Carbon monoxide) –88%
- New limit for emissions of NOx
- Introduction in requirements for Particulate matter and organic gaseous compounds
Based on the emission reductions and new requirements, Ecodesign will significantly improve air quality and help the environment. From 2022 on consumers can only buy Ecodesign stoves, with some exceptions
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO ECODESIGN STOVE INSTALLATIONS?
While an Ecodesign compliant stove has capability to burn fuel with very low emissions it is most important that the correct stove is installed and that it is used correctly with the correct fuel.
CAN THE DOORS OF A STOVE BE LEFT OPEN WHILE BURNING?
For safety and heat efficiency the doors should remain closed at all times.
WHEN DO I NEED TO REPLACE FIREBRICKS IN MY STOVE?
Waterford Stanley advise that a refractory brick would require replacement if it is crumbling away or is falling into the firebox causing a nuisance. If your firebrick is cracked it will not need to be changed as a crack will not affect the operation of the stove.
DO STOVES REQUIRE A CHIMNEY?
With the exception of electric fires, all solid fuel, wood, pellet and gas require a suitable flue or chimney to take away gases formed during ignition. In the case of pellet and gas stoves which are balanced flue you only need an external wall to flue them.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF POOR COMBUSTION IN MY STOVE OR FIRE?
When soot deposits form, typically this is a clear indication of poor combustion. Poor combustion can be caused by any of the following:
- Poor or damp fuel being used
- Poor chimney draught
- Lack of Ventilation to the room in which the stove is fitted.
- Continual low burning
If symptoms persist it is best to get your local service engineer to investigate the matter for you.
HOW MUCH CAN I RECESS A STOVE INTO AN ALCOVE
It is best to have the stove free standing in the room to ensure it is within the natural air circulation pathways around the room. When a stove is recessed into an alcove or fireplace, the heat from it does not tend to natural convect into the room space but rather radiates to the brickwork/walls enclosing the alcove/fireplace thus resulting in a reduction in heat to the room from the stove.
DO WATERFORD STANLEY STOVES WITH OUTSIDE AIR?
Yes. If connecting a stove to a conventional chimney system (or an external stainless-steel flue), traditionally air for combustion would be provided through an air vent on an outside wall.
To allow for the installation of stoves and fires in dwellings that have mechanical ventilation systems fitted (i.e. external air vents are not permitted), we have adapted many of our solid fuel and wood burning models to allow for the majority of the combustion air to be supplied directly to the stove by means of an outside air connection at the back of the stove.
External Air capability - is available for many of our stoves as an optional extra. External Air is used in well-insulated houses for mechanical ventilation and directs air from the outside into the stove to aid efficient combustion.
WHAT CAUSES WEBBING (HAIRLINE CRACKS) ON STOVE GLASS?
The damage on the glass is consistent with sulphur from the fuel reacting with the glass. It is possible that by replacing the glass, it will alleviate this issue but if it doesn't you will need to look at changing the fuel or fuel supplier
WHAT CAUSES THE PLASTERWORK ON A CHIMNEY BREAST TO CRACK?
When installing a stove into an existing fireplace, as the flue gas temperatures into the chimney system will increase, it would be expected that the chimney system and its surrounding brickwork will get hotter. If you are noticing hairline cracks appearing on the plasterwork, it is usually caused by a crack in the flue liner of the chimney system which is allowing for excess heat to get the surrounding brickwork.
To alleviate this issue usually the chimney system would need to be fitted with a flexible liner but I would advise that you contact one of the flue manufacturers who will be able advise exactly how to address this issue.
The largest manufacturer of flue products in Ireland are MI Flues and they can be contacted on 046-9558030.
WHAT CAUSES GLASS TO CRACK/BREAK ON MY STOVE?
The following are the causes of stove glass cracked:
- Impact Damage - If the glass is impacted by a piece of fuel sticking out of the firebox or by a stone in the fuel, a small chip can be created on the glass which over time (through repeated heating & cooling) can grow and will eventually cause the glass to crack.
- Glass Fixings too tight - As the glass grows in size slightly when heated, if the glass screws are over tightened it can cause damage to the glass surface which can cause it to crack. It is recommended to fit the screws until hand tight and then turn the screws back approximately a quarter turn.
- There is a third party company that have been supplying glass for all makes of stoves that is not of the same quality and is not of the some thickness as Stanley supplied glass (our glass is 5mm thick) so you should check with your supplier as to where the glass is being purchased from and that it's Stanley glass.
CAN I RUN CENTRAL HEATING STOVE WITHOUT WATER?
It would not be safe to use your stove without connecting it to the central heating system.
The boiler shell will overheat due to the absence of water. This will cause potential distortion and fracture of the boiler casing resulting in fume leakage from the appliance into the room. We wouldn't never recommend this.
HOW DOES A THERMOSTAT DAMPER WORK ON MY CENTRAL HEATING STOVE?
The 0-4 damper is a thermostatic damper for safety reasons and when the temperature of the water in the boiler exceeds 55 °C the thermostatic damper will begin to shut off the air supply to the stove. Should the water temperature continue to rise the thermostatic damper will continue to close and if the water temperature reaches 85 °C the thermostatic damper closes the primary air supply fully. Therefore, when the boiler reaches temperature, adjusting the 0-4 damper will have no effect on the appearance/burn rate of the fire.
To ascertain if the damper is operating correctly, visually inspect that the damper is opening (setting 4) & closing (setting 0) when the unit is cold and when the flow pipe (top water pipe) from the stove is hot check if the damper is either partially/full closed (the closure of the damper will be dependent on the temperature in the boiler but it should allow a smaller opening than noted if the damper was set fully open when the stove was cold). If this proves to be the case, the damper is working within normal operating parameters.
WHAT WORK IS REQUIRED TO FIT THE CARA+ BOILER INSERT STOVE TO AN EXISTING FIREPLACE?
To remove the back boiler and replace same with an insert boiler stove, will require the fireplace to be removed to allow access to remove the back boiler. To fit the Cara+ insert boiler model, it may be necessary to remove some of the block work surrounding the back boiler to allow for pipe fitting and the fireplace may need to be changed depending on the size of the fireplace opening (the Cara Plus fits into a fireplace opening of 16-18" wide & 21-23" high). The pipe work to the heating system should be capable to connect the insert so plumbing changes should be minimal provided the back boiler was originally fitted correctly.
The stove is supplied with a clay pot adaptor kit that allows for connection to an 8" flue liner but the existing chimney liner will need to be inspected for any cracks and in the event of the chimney exhibiting any cracks or leaks (not capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 1000°C) a suitable flexible flue liner should be fitted. As the top baffle within the insert is removable, once the stove is connected correctly to the chimney system it will be possible to clean the chimney through the insert (i.e. from the bottom up)
DO I NEED TO LINE MY CHIMNEY WHEN INSTALLING A SOLID FUEL OR WOOD STOVE?
To determine if a flexible flue liner needs to be fitted, the integrity of the clay liner in the chimney should be inspected prior to installation. In the event of chimney not being of sound construction, not capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 1000°C or exhibiting any cracks or leaks, a clay pot adaptor should not be used, and a suitable flexible flue liner should be fitted.
If the clay pot adaptor kit is being used, the fireplace opening & flue gather should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure all soot deposits are removed. If this cannot be achieved it is recommended to fit a flexible flue liner to allow any potential fumes from these soot deposits to be vented up around the flue liner when the stove is in operation.
HOW DO I CLEAN THE CHIMNEY?
You will require a chimney sweep to clean the chimney. It is best to provide a dedicated chimney cleaning sootbox.
SHOULD THE HANDLE ON THE CARA INSERT BE ON PERMANENTLY?
No. The handle on the Cara Insert stove is not meant to be permanently fixed to the door rather it is meant to be detachable. Instructions for use of same are as follows:
To open the door, insert the silver end of the handle into the door latch on the fire door, turn the handle clockwise and pull the door towards you. To close the door, insert the handle into the door latch as before, push the door closed, turn the handle anticlockwise to engage the door catch and remove the door handle.
SHOULD A CHIMNEY CONTAIN BENDS?
When fitting a solid fuel appliance in line with building regulations, flues should be vertical wherever possible and where a bend is necessary, it should not make an angle of more than 45° with the vertical.
It also advises that within the clay pot liners, bends above the flue mouth may help to reduce splashes of rain and soot that may fall on the hearth but the angle of the bend should be no greater than 45° and preferably less than 30°. For these reasons it has traditionally been standard practice for clay pot chimneys to be built with a sweeping bend incorporated in it and not have it completely vertical.
WHAT CAUSES GLASS TO BLACKEN ON A STOVE?
The stove glass will self-clean when there is sufficient heat generated by the burning fuel i.e. when the unit is operated at the maximum air settings (i.e. Keep secondary air damper above the fire door open).
If a build-up of creosote occurs on the glass it may be due to low draft conditions, poor quality fuel or operating the stove at the minimum air settings for long periods of time. The glass should be cleaned when cool and cleaned with a non-abrasive cloth using warm soapy water. For stubborn deposits, a grade 0 steel wool can be used whilst taking care not to scratch the glass with any coal/ash deposits.
SHOULD I PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST CARBON MONOXIDE?
Yes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas, it is produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels. CO has no taste, smell or colour and can be present in the fumes (combustion products) of gas, oil, solid mineral fuel or biomass burning appliances.
Solid fuel and biomass are safe to burn if the appliance is installed, maintained, and used correctly. Waterford Stanley recommends the fitting of a CO Alarm, UK Building Regulations Approved Document J now makes it compulsory to fit an audible CO alarm complying with BS EN 50291:2001 with each new or replacement solid fuel/biomass appliance. For more information read our Carbon Monoxide Awareness Leaflet. https://www.waterfordstanley.com/media/2026424/carbon-monoxide-awareness-leaflet.pdf
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE MOISTURE CONTENT FOR FUEL?
We would advise that fuel with a maximum moisture content of 20% are used in any of our stoves.
HOW TO SEASON A STOVE AFTER INSTALLATION?
After installing a stove it is recommended to run a couple of small fires starting off to permit the refractory to set properly & to season the stove. Then run the unit at maximum output for a couple of hours to burn off all the remaining storage coatings on the stove (these are on the stove to prevent it from rusting during storage).
When operating the unit during these initial firings, it is recommended to keep the room well ventilated as an odour will be emitted that will be unpleasant, but this odour will subside after the initial firings.
CAN I USE THE INSERT STOVE WITH A BACK BOILER?
Unfortunately, a room heating insert cannot be connected to a back boiler and you will need to remove it before your stove can be installed. We have a boiler version of the Cara Insert called the Cara+ Insert which will heat up to 10 standard radiators and provide 3.6kW of heat to the room. It replaces the existing back boiler with a more efficient, 71% central heating insert.
WHAT CAN CAUSES A STOVE TO SMELL?
From our experience, providing that there is no smoke emanating from the unit the following can cause a smell or odour when a solid fuel stove is operating:
- Flue pipes sealed with silicone rather than fire cement.
- If connected to an existing fireplace and a clay pot adaptor was used to connect to the flue liner, soot deposits on the flue gather could possibly burn off when the unit & the surrounding area is heated up.
- Laquer/varnish on one of the surrounding materials producing an odour when heated up e.g. coating on fireplace finish.
If you have a carbon monoxide detector in the room in which the stove is and it is not detecting any issue, it should rule out any fumes emanating from the stove during burning. If none of the above is helpful in identifying the issue, it would be best to contact your local service engineer.
WILL A STOVE FIX A CHIMNEY PROBLEM?
If there is an inherent problem with the chimney such as a down draught unfortunately a stove will not rectify same, and alterations will need to be made to the chimney system to address same.
WHAT WARRANTY POLICY DO I GET WITH MY STOVE?
Stanley solid fuel and wood burning stoves are covered for up to five years after the date of purchase. For a detailed breakdown on our 5 year warranty see below
For all other stoves (electric, pellet and gas), Waterford Stanley will replace, free of charge, any working part that fails (under normal operating conditions) within 12 months of purchase.
