What Size Wood Burning Stove Do I Need?

The rule of thumb

Measure length, width and height in metres, multiply them together for the room volume, then divide by about 14 for an average home. Use a smaller divider for a cold, poorly insulated room and a larger one for a well sealed modern build.

Why oversizing is the common mistake

• ✔Single glazing, solid walls or a large open staircase: allow more output
• ✔New build or fully insulated retrofit: allow less
• ✔Open plan spaces heat unevenly, so position matters as much as kW
• ✔Above 5kW you are usually into a permanent air vent
• ✔Below 5kW keeps most installations simpler and cheaper

What else changes the number

• You open the windows while the fire is lit
• The air control lives permanently near the closed position
• The glass blackens within an evening
• The sweep finds heavy tar rather than dry soot

Getting it right for your room

The survey settles it. We measure the room, look at the glazing, the insulation and how the space is used, then recommend an output that will run hot and clean on a normal evening rather than one that has to be strangled to be bearable.