What to look for

Stoves come in two broad categories - "portable" and masonry.

For "portable" (typically cast iron or steel) stoves - whether they are for wood, straw, grain or multiple fuel types,:

• Is it certified as meeting the emissions standards of the US EPA and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA B415)? While all stoves sold by reputable dealers will comply with these standards, we recommend that you request evidence of compliance from your vendor.

• What efficiency is quoted by the manufacturers? (While we set no cut-off criteria at present in this directory, we recommend that you look for a figure of at least 75%)

Masonry heaters are usually custom-built. A builder of masonry heaters should demonstrate a track record of installation of such stoves, including a record of emissions control and of combustion efficiency.