In the last few years it became impossible to get away from the hype about green technologies versus fossil fuel technologies. Solar panels, solar thermal and wind turbines have ruled the headlines with major projects undertaken around the world. However, let us not forget the humble wood burning stove. Although not as flashy as a gleaming white wind turbine rotating at a steady speed over a green hill or a high-tech solar photovoltaic cell generating electricity out of simple sun light, the wood burning stove has some important benefits to bring to the table.

If you use the motor car as a metaphor for your domestic central heating system, the engine of the car would be the boiler. The wheels and tyres would be the radiators as the conduit that transfers the energy to your home, ensuring the system delivers on its potential and using the input energy (gas or oil) effectively. Beside the boilers, which normally attract a lot of attention, a well designed and positioned set of radiators can have a major impact on the output and efficiency of a typical domestic central heating system.