November 2018 | Kent Stoves

What to look for when selecting your new heating machine

27th November 2018/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The most important thing to look at first is the efficiency of the Stove. Look for something at around 78% efficiency or above.

Another good thing to look for is an easily controllable stove. Stoves are controlled by a single air flow lever at the front, you pull it out to let more air in and close it down to let less air in.

One of the most important considerations is the glass which should have an air wash or clear view technology. This means that you can see the flames clearly and you should barely ever have to clean the glass, assuming you’re using aged and seasoned timber with around 20% moisture content.

Another good thing to look for in a stove is a body made of steel with cast iron components. As steel can be bent to shape in a single piece it avoids the gaps that occur in a cast iron stove. This makes it highly durable and more efficient as steel is exceptional at expanding and contracting. It also heats up quickly transferring the heat. The cast Iron elements of the stove retain and radiate heat for some time after the fire has died down. Read more

Can you really save money installing a wood burner?

19th November 2018/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Log burners claim to not only be good for the environment but also a way to cut the cost of your energy bills, also as a bonus they could add value to your property.

This financial year the stove industry is reporting record sales and installations of the traditional log burner. Sales this year are up a massive 28.7% on the same period last year.

It would seem the homeowner is seriously looking to save money on energy bills these days, it’s little wonder when you analyse the cost of the traditional fuels.

After purchase savings

A lot of experts estimate after installation and purchase costs households will start to see savings within 3 years. There has been a big increase in sales of wood burning stoves lately, both for adding character to a home and adding value to your property – one estate agent in Kent commented “a certificated fitted wood stove could add as much 6% to the sale price, house hunters these days are looking for heating efficiency”. Read more

When installing a new wood stove always use a registered fitter

13th November 2018/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The installation of a wood burner must comply with building regulations and the easiest way to do this is to use a qualified fitter.

HETAS-registered installers deal with wood, solid-fuel and biomass domestic heating appliances and can self-certify that their work complies with building regulations, so it’s safe and legal.

Benefits of using a registered fitter

Safety
Easier to insure your home
Peace of mind
Total burner efficiency

Centre point of the room

6th November 2018/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Log burners make great focal points for interiors, they are cleaner and more efficient than open fireplaces, and can even save you money on your heating bills.

If you’re dreaming of installing one as the winter approaches, you’re in good company – 195,000 are installed each year in the UK alone.

To enjoy using a log burner safely and responsibly, it’s important to do your research. Firstly think first about the size of area that needs to be heated (as a rule of thumb, 1kW of heat output for every 14 cubic metres of space is needed to make your room 21C when it’s 1C outside). Talk to a HETAS registered installer and they will be happy to guide you.

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of installation and maintenance, as these can change the final price. It’s a good idea to check the size and cost of logs you’ll need and whether you can buy them locally. You will also need a good size space to store your logs. Read more