How to Choose a Stove for Your Home

Stoves can help to keep your home warm in the winter. We'll give you some tips for choosing the right one in this article.

Don’t let winter catch you unawares! Dealing with cold temperatures without the right tools can be a big mess. That’s why it’s especially important to know how to choose a stove.

Since stoves are the best option to keep the house warm, in this article, we will explain some of the most common types, their characteristics, and keys that will help you to choose the best one for you.

Stoves: A quick solution to heat your home

Heating systems, such as boilers, become expensive and sometimes don’t heat all areas of the house, so some families stop using them. Instead, they buy a practical stove, which often turns out to be cheap and very easy to handle.

So, if there aren’t many heating sources in the household, the ideal is to choose a stove. With a stove, you can heat the bedroom, the living room, or any other room.

Its easy transportation makes moving it possible, and it doesn’t require complex installations. You only need to plug it in or know a few specific details, depending on the model.

How to choose a stove: 8 types of stoves you should know about

Stoves allow you to better control expenses and, unlike boilers, you don’t need to hire several professionals to install them and put them into operation. Find out more about this interesting option for heating.

1. Electric stoves

Electric stoves are usually the most demanded type in Europe. However, they have recently been experiencing a decline in sales. This is due to the arrival of other more modern and efficient models. The first thing you should know is that electric stoves consume a lot of energy.

However, one point in their favor is that they operate by convection. That is, they transform electrons into heat.

This means that they do not emit fumes that are harmful to health or pollutants. They’re usually recommended for heating small areas.

2. Halogen stoves

Halogen stoves provide heat from radiation, have good heating power, and can heat medium-sized rooms. The room should not be larger than 10 square meters.

In order to operate, they require a larger power supply, as they have several power levels. In that sense, before acquiring one, you should take into account the size of the space where you want to place it.

3. Butane gas stoves

Butane gas stoves are very cheap when it comes to long-term use. Perhaps it is for this reason, and because they heat so quickly, that they have remained one of the preferred options. For the operation of a butane gas stove, it’s essential to equip it with a gas tank.

Without detracting from the above, it’s also important that you consider the following: butane stoves have been the protagonists of a significant number of accidents in the home. On the other hand, it’s required to change the gas tank once it’s consumed.

4. Kerosene stoves

Paraffin stoves are an option to consider if the room does not exceed 40 square meters. In fact, there was a time when they were in great demand.

There are two models. The kerosene ones operate by means of a wick and the electric ones do. In general, they emit an annoying odor for most people.

5. Wood-burning stoves

Wood-burning stoves are a classic, especially in country houses. One of their great advantages is that they can heat large spaces, as long as they have a suitable ventilation system. Another factor to consider is that they can stain nearby areas.

Since they work with firewood, you must provide it. It’s suggested to have a place to extend it and keep in mind that both the appliance and the room will require periodic maintenance. Otherwise, you will enjoy a warmth similar to that radiated by a fireplace.

6. Pellet stoves

These stoves work with 100% vegetable fuel and are friendly for the planet, known by the name of pellet stoves. That is why they have become popular today, even though they’re more expensive to buy than any of their counterparts.

What do they offer you in return? Pellet stoves are cleaner, easier to operate, require little maintenance, and, best of all, their fuel is affordable.

7. How to choose a stove: Oil stoves

Oil stoves are functional and inexpensive. They work with a special oil that does not need to be renewed since it doesn’t burn. They are known to be practical and provide heat in areas that do not exceed 40 square meters.

8. Biomass stoves

Biomass stoves go hand in hand with pellet stoves. These also work with vegetable energy, such as wood pellets, olive pits, forest residues, and nut shells, for example. They’re often expensive at the time of purchase, but in the long run, they’re cost-effective to maintain and allow heating large houses.

5 points to consider when choosing your next home stove

You can’t overlook the following facts to choose a new home stove. With them, you will be able to have good results:

1. Study the location that the stove will have, the space available, the possible air currents, and the material of construction. All these data will help you to decipher the caloric power that the room requires to maintain itself.
2. Ask if it needs some kind of space facility to operate. This includes ventilation or electrical systems. Also, inspect if your house or the area has them.
3. Check and repair the windows and general insulation of your house. If they’re in good condition, you will not need a high-heat output stove.
4. The weight and volume of the stove are other factors to consider. Some floors can’t support very heavy appliances, so they end up deforming.
5. Some stove models must comply with special regulations, inspections, and periodic maintenance in order to operate. Make sure to do some research on this topic.

You will find various models that suit many different needs on the market. When buying, take into account these keys to choose a stove according to your home.

Stoves: A necessary tool in the winter

Stoves are often the preferred appliance to withstand freezing days. Among other things, this is because you can have greater control over costs and power usage.

However, if it’s a question of surviving the winter, there’s also the option of installing a heating system at home. Nevertheless, remember that you will need several professionals for a safe installation.