No chimney!

[Timelord]

You can start a stove up on wood legally for the first 30mins in a smokeless zone. By that time, the fire will be up to temp anyway and will burn seasoned logs clean enough. Burning wood on a bed of smokeless coal is even better and if anyone did ever call round (v.unlikely), then you have the smokeless coal in bags to show.

For the flue, you can either use a purpose built chimney or have an external one fitted made out of twin wall stainless to the outside of the building that connects through the wall to the stove.

If using a pre-existing chimney, then it will need to be in good order. You can run the stove pipe straight up into the chimney on its own if there is enough "draw" in your particular chimney - BUT the draw can vary with the weather and carbon monoxide can come back down with deadly results. Stoves are not the same as open fires and are best run connected to a SOLID FUEL FLUE. (Not an old gas one which will burn through). A steel register plate should be used to blank off above the stove with the flue running up through it. Plasterboard is not adequate!!

It really is pretty simple, but you have to get it right and unfortunately there is usually no end of incorrect advice given with good intentions. You can look it up on the net how the installation should be constructed.

It will cost a few pennies, unless you can do or have friends who can do some of it for you. I got the cost of the equipment back in the first 12 months and since then have been saving a fortune. I shudder when I think what the bills would have been now if I was still running the gas central heating daily and a useless gas fire at times.

The stove really is a preppers friend and is a source of heat, light & cooking. If you buy one of the smaller ones, you could yank it out in an emergency and take it with you in a vehicle if you had to relocate.

Try "Country Kiln Stoves". They are far cheaper for good quality stoves. Made in Scotland and delivered to your door. V.helpful too. Flues & accessories can be bought cheaper elsewhere.

Running a stove also entails quite a bit of extra work in acquiring, transporting, processing, storing & transferring fuel. You will need some space to store it. Even if running just on smokeless + occasional gas central heating when really cold(yes if up to temp.... but neighbours will still be able to smell it outdoors) I reckon it is much cheaper by £100's a quarter, than being milked by the utility companies.
Regards, TL