The high efficiency of woodburners makes them a desirable asset in any home — but which woodburning stove is the most efficient?
Woodburning stoves are in high demand at the moment and their efficiency is a key factor in their popularity. An efficient woodburner makes for a cost-effective and valuable form of home heating. By working out which woodburning stove is the most efficient you can maximise those benefits.
The vast majority of stoves are around 80% efficient, which means that only 20% of the fuel you burn is wasted. If you compare this to an open fire, you might expect only 20-30% efficiency with 70-80% of the fuel lost.
Against that backdrop, how do you go about finding the most efficient woodburning stove for your home? There are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Highly efficient Ecodesign stoves
All stoves now sold in the UK must be made in accordance with Ecodesign regulations. This legislation is designed to reduce emissions from woodburners. A consequence of that is that they also burn more efficiently than older stoves. With that in mind, Ecodesign stoves are the best starting when considering which woodburning stove is the most efficient.
DEFRA smoke control approved stoves
In the days before Ecodesign, a reliable way of working out which woodburning stoves are most efficient was the list of DEFRA smoke control approved stoves. These are appliances that have been exempted by DEFRA for use in smoke control areas. The fact that an appliance is DEFRA approved indicates it is low emission and therefore very efficient. As a result, knowing that a stove is DEFRA exempt remains a useful measure for finding efficient woodburning stoves.
Woodburning stove efficiency ratings
All woodburning stoves have an efficiency rating. These are created when stove manufacturers put their appliances through testing to determine how efficiently they burn. The rating is based on the percentage of energy created that actually goes towards heating your home (as opposed to being lost up the flue). You will see these efficiency ratings featured in the specification of woodburning stoves. Although not an exact science — because not all stoves are tested under identical conditions — it offers some insight into the maximum efficiency achieved during the test.
The most efficient woodburning stoves we stock
There is very little to choose between many of the woodburning stoves we sell. The vast majority of stoves have an efficiency rating of around 80%. But here are a handful of appliances that are exceptional examples of highly efficient woodburning stoves.
Mazona Ripley 5 kW Ecodesign Ready Multi Fuel Wood Burning Stove
The Mazona Ripley 5 kW is our more efficient woodburning stove. It boasts a hugely impressive 86.5% efficiency rating. Its credentials are further enhanced by the fact that it is built in accordance with Ecodesign regulations and is also DEFRA approved. A delightful contemporary stove that’s suitable for most living rooms. Take a closer look.
Mazona Rye 5 kW Ecodesign Ready Multi Fuel Stove
With its 83.9% efficiency rating, the Mazona Rye 5 kW is another example of a very efficient woodburning stove. Like its stablemate the Mazona Ripley, it is Ecodesign ready and DEFRA approved. It’s a timeless stove with sleek, contemporary features and minimal detailing. Take a closer look.
Arada Hamlet Solution 4 (S4) Ecodesign Ready Multi Fuel Wood Burning Stove
The highly efficient Arada Hamlet Solution 4 has an efficiency rating of 83.1%. It’s no surprise that this appliance is also Ecodesign Ready and DEFRA approved — both great indicators of efficient woodburning stoves. This great little appliance is perfect for snug spaces. Take a closer look.
Looking for something even more efficient?
Those examples — and many other stoves on our site — all have efficiency ratings that are above 80%. If you’re looking for something even more efficient, you might need to turn your attention away from woodburning stoves and towards pellet stoves.
The best pellet stoves are often more than 90% efficient. The technology found within pellet stoves allows for greater efficiency than can be achieved in a woodburning stove. A couple of prime examples of the Artel Hydro 24 Thermo Pellet Stove Grey, which offers 97% efficiency, and the Artel Futura 9 Pellet Stove Black, which is 95% efficient.
Which woodburning stove is the most efficient for your requirements?
Your search for an efficient woodburning stove might not be guided by efficiency alone. You’ll probably also want to consider heat output, design and other factors. Take a look at all of our woodburning stoves — and remember to check the Specification tab to see the efficiency rating of any stove that grabs your attention.
