Sales of stoves continue to increase month on month as the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills. Whether you’re the proud owner of a shiny new stove, or your thinking to install one, there are a few things that you need to know to really get the most out of that heat generator in the fireplace.
I know this is basic but do read the manufacturers instruction books as efficiency is crucial to you saving money. Read more
Don’t let this hot spell fool you, winter will return, and heating bills are going to rise this winter if all the experts are right.
Have you considered a wood burning stove which can be used as an excellent alternative to the main central heating system in your home? Instead of turning up the thermostat try lighting the burner and you will be able to reduce the thermostat in a cold spell. If your home is well insulated and draught free you could even leave doors open and the log burner will heat assist all-round the house. You will immediately see a reduction in your heating bills, that is certain.
So, as you can see there are many benefits of installing a log burner not to mention the fact that a professionally fitted one could increase the value of your property. Property experts say this increase could be as much as 5.5% on the original value! Read more
Acting now for a warmer winter
Wood stove owners have a tendency to underestimate just how much moisture firewood contains. Nothing will cause your stove to function less efficiently than to fill it with green wood, so to avoid the problem you should begin the seasoning process in the early spring if you want your wood to be ready by the next winter. To make life a lot easier you can buy a moisture content meter to measure your woods consistency, ask locally or search the www.
If you plan to use any wood that is larger than normal, you will need to set it out to dry even earlier. Essentially, you should be harvesting your wood about 18 months in advance of when you actually plan to burn it, if you want to guarantee that it will be properly seasoned.
Summer time is a great time to season wood, just make sure the air can flow round the stacked timber for efficient drying. Read more
Stove maintenance and safety If you choose the correct stove for your home should be fairly straight forward. But there are a few steps you should take to keep it efficient and safe.
To keep your stove in good working order, the Stove Industry recommends that you have your chimney swept at the beginning and the end of the winter to avoid a build-up of soot, which could damage the chimney and stove when not in use.
From a safety point of view, blocked chimneys can also cause deadly carbon monoxide. Read more
