Winter is coming: Hi-tech stoves to keep you warm

There’s nothing old-fashioned about the hi-tech stoves that Kya deLongchamps is eyeing up, which combine efficient heat with the cosy comfort of a real fire

The Morso 7493 designed by Monica Ritterband, is €2,602, approximately, with dealers nationwide.

As a primary or secondary heating source — we instinctively warm to a real flame fire.

Even with the need for hands-on attention, our fondness for wood, solid fuel and multi-fuel stoves shows no sign of fizzling out.

Free-standing or inset, the firebox should be of nothing less than scorching quality and scaled to the room size. Don’t dismiss split logs and biomass choices — they are proving to be future-proof solutions, as progressive European countries announce the outlawing of oil and even LPG-fed central heating by 2020.

Open fireplaces lose 70% of their heat up the chimney, so pick a fire-box for economy and sustainability. This Fondis inset stove handles wood, eco logs and briquettes. Performances is 8-12kw and it features a baffle to keep smoke out of the room when opened. From €3,200, suppliers include flamebydesign.ie.

With the rediscovery of passive heat storage in ‘overnight’ radiant heating panels, and improved secondary combustion and air delivery, wood is the ecological choice with all the answers.

In terms of finish, look for show-stoppers, with new offerings in carved marble, enamelled steel and Italian majolica.

The Morso 7493 designed by Monica Ritterband, is €2,602, approximately, with dealers nationwide.