an alternative form of heating for our lounge if the gas central heating was not working. we live in the country and do get electricity cuts from time to time. when the electricity is out then the central heating does not work either. having the wood burning stove lets us heat at least one of the rooms and boil a saucepan of water for drinks if this happens.
secondly it provides some heat in autumn evenings and in the winter during the day without having to switch on the central heating. having the wood burning stove just takes the edge of the cold in these situations. it pushes back by a 