Clearview Solution 500 stove Hot

Admittedly I have only had my Clearview 500 since Dec 2011 but am very disappointed with the efficiency of the stove. I find it very expensive to run as we are burning 2 seasoned hardwood logs per 30 mins. To be honest my 3 Kw gas fire was hotter than this 8 Kw stove. The glass has always got a brown stain on even though we keep the air wash open! I wouldn't mind the expense if we felt the difference in the house but I am pleased I have central heating as a back up and we haven't had snow in our part of Cumbria this winter!!!

Stove Expert replied: Not enough detail given to say if it's the stove not producing the heat or other factors that have lead to the disappointment, the rated output h=must be achievable otherwise the company would be breaking the law. Worth checking all aspects to insure they are correct!

Was told when I was buying this stove that it was one of the most efficient stoves in the world. Needless to say I was pretty gutted to see it scoring so low on the Hetas Product Guide (http://guide.hetas.co.uk/guide_appliances.html)
At 65.2% I think that it can only just refer to itself as a stove.
Inefficient and outdated, do not believe the hype.


Stove Expert Replied: There are many sources of information regarding stoves, it is worth spending time to find one that best suits your needs. Clearview have a good reputation, maybe you expected too much!

Overall, pleased with the stove generally. Though we had a few niggles and there was no manual/instructions included.

We emailed and phoned Clearview head office on numerous occasions.

No reply to emails whatsoever.

No call back from messages left on their answerphone.

Got through ONCE in about 7 calls - unfriendly and unhelpful woman who said she'd get someone to call back. They didn't.

Still, the stove's OK despite all that, though a tad expensive for what it is.

Had I known Clearview simply seem to want your money and then leave you high and dry, I'd have gone for a Charnwood or Morso.


Stove expert says: when one buys a stove one should really go through to the retailer for product support, not the manufacturer or main importer. The way that the stove industry is set up means that the manufacturer services the retailer, and it is the retailer who supports their own sales. So the manufacturer, in this case Clearview, is not set up to provide individual support to people who have bought their stoves. One should always go back to the retailer.

Well designed and built to a high standard, this stove was more expensive than our original budget, but we are in no way disappointed. It is responsive to its controls and can pump out a lot of heat - well able to heat our 2200 ft3 room, plus the open plan stairs and upstairs corridor. It can be throttled back to a slower burn as required. I would recommend the use of an optional stove thermometer attached magnetically just above the firebox door. This allows us to check that the stove is operating within its optimum temperature range, with the most complete combustion. For a rated 8kWh the amount of wood consumed seems very reasonable. We do not try to keep it in overnight; at bedtime we close the stove down to the minimum burn, and, next day there is often a small amount of charred wood left - to help with re-lighting.

An efficient airwash was one of our main requirements when we went shopping for a new stove. Our experience is that the Clearview system keeps the door glass amazing clean and we enjoy the view of the 'slowmotion' flames dancing above the glowing logs. This is an impressive stove to look at and, while it seems expensive in comparison to other stoves, as far as we are concerned the cost is justified by its impeccable performance.

Heartily recommended.

No issues with this stove. Generates a lot of heat, but the convector sides make it a very comfortable heat. Very controllable and looks great with the "wide screen". Heats up in about 30mins