Check the air supply

Every wood burning and multi-fuel stove requires a permanent, adequate air supply to the room it's in. Modern airtight homes can starve a stove of combustion air, leading to poor draw, excessive smoking into the room, and dangerous conditions. If your stove was installed after 2008, building regulations may require a specific air vent, and if that vent has been blocked by a previous occupant or a well-meaning draught-proofer, you'll know about it.

Check that any dedicated air vents near the stove or in the floor haven't been blocked or sealed. If the stove seems to perform better when a window is cracked open, that's a strong indicator the air supply is insufficient. This is particularly common in recently renovated properties where new windows and doors have significantly reduced natural infiltration.

On older installations without a dedicated vent, a carbon monoxide detector is especially important. Poor combustion from restricted air creates more CO. If you're unsure whether your installation has adequate air supply, a HETAS or OFTEC registered engineer can assess it. Getting this right is one of the most important aspects of safe, efficient stove operation.