Stove Installation. Installing a new wood stove can be quick and very easy.

If you have an existing chimney installing a wood stove is relatively easy. The fitter will usually insert a liner inside the existing chimney from the burner to the exit point. At Kent Stoves we cover the whole of Kent for wood stove installation.

For straight chimneys this can made up of sections of jointed metal pipe, which can be either single or double skinned. A double skin is more airtight and lasts longer than a single skin but of course costs more. For chimneys that aren’t perfectly straight, a flexible non-flammable liner is used.

It is important to note, chimneys should be swept at least once a year and twice if they are in heavy use. Otherwise, creosote (a by-product of inefficient combustion) builds up on the walls of the chimney to become a fire hazard. Creosote builds up gradually over time as fires burn less efficiently. When they are just getting started but can accumulate very rapidly if you burn unseasoned or damp wood.

Wood Stove Air vents used correctly will improve efficiency

Vents, usually mounted near the door, can be opened or closed to increase or decrease the airflow through the fire. When choosing your new stove do pay special attention to the airflow controls, a fitter will explain which fire would suit your home.

General Stove care

In addition to keeping your stove clean inside and outside, be sure to have it inspected by a registered fitter at least once a year to make sure that everything is working perfectly. If there are any signs of damage such as cracks, leaks or warping. Finally if you have any problems with the stove have it repaired immediately.

Can we help?

If you are thinking of installing a new burner or require your existing one serviced do make contact. One of our fitters will be happy to help.

Are Stoves Economic? Keep warmer and reduce those horrible heating bills

With the colder weather beginning to hit the UK, how do you stay warm? I am sure you will be like the majority and turn up the thermostat on the central heating system. However, a growing number of people are opting for renewable heating sources instead such as wood burning stoves.

 After purchase and fitting of your new stove can you really make 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 – some estate agents say a certificated wood stove could add as much 5%to the sale price. 

A stove is a highly efficient source of heat – delivering more than 80% efficiency in many cases. The current generation of stoves are clean and very easy to use and control.

Estimated savings of a wood stove

• 82% cheaper to run than an electric fire
• 46% cheaper per kw than a gas effect fire
• 80% cheaper than oil filled heater

It is very important to note you must always only burn fully dried wood logs and these should have matured for 18-24 months. Imagine if you could source your own logs from a local forest free – how much you could potentially save a year?

Can we help?

If you would like to know more, please do contact us. One of our fully qualified fitters will be happy to assist.

Burn Hardwood in Wood stoves – Hardwood is a must for heat efficiency

For the serious fire lover, you may want to invest in hardwoods like oak, ash, hickory, walnut, and fruit trees such as apple or cherry.

Seasoning your wood

Hardwoods are denser woods that burn hotter and longer than softwoods, but you’ll need to let them season for up to 2 years.  (Ash is an exception and can be burnt a bit earlier although the wood burns best when seasoned.)

There is absolutely no point in burning unseasoned wood as you will be boiling water, and this is just inefficient and bad for the environment. Plus, your hard-earned money will be wasted.

You will find that hardwood is more expensive to purchase than softwood like pine and fir. But the hardwood burns longer so you’ll need less wood and in turn save money.

Heat efficiency

Seasoned wood burns better than green wood, because it produces more heat and less creosote build-up in the fireplace and chimney. Green or unseasoned wood, on the other hand, is hard to light and difficult to keep burning. If your wood smoulders and burns poorly with little heat, it’s probably green wood.

You can tell if wood is seasoned by looking at it. On the outside, seasoned wood probably looks grey and dusty from sitting around for a while. But on the inside, it’s often dry and white, usually lighter than on the outside. Therefore burn hardwood. New wood, on the other hand, looks like it came fresh from the timber mill with the same colour throughout the wood.

Can we assist?

If you would like help selecting and installing a new wood burning stove, please do make contact. We have fully qualified (HETAS) fitters and advisers waiting to take your enquiry.

Ways To Save Using A Wood Stove. There are two main types of stoves: multi fuel or wood burning. As such 58% of the people we asked own a wood burning stove, and 42% a multi fuel stove.

Multi fuel stoves can burn pellets as well as wood, but pellet tends to be more expensive.

You can also get wood for free – for example, if you’re able to collect fallen branches from your garden or local wood. But you will need to have space and time to dry the wood out, as wet wood will burn far less efficiently. Burning wood in a multi fuel stove is possible. But because these fuels burn differently, stoves are often optimised for one type. So some can’t burn both wood and pellet efficiently.

A HETAS registered fitter is fully trained in fitting and able to give advice as to the most suitable wood burning stove for the area to be heated.

Ways To Save with a wood burning stove.

• The net fuel cost is cheaper than heating oil, natural gas, and electricity.
• Wood sourced locally can be free
• Fuel in the form of logs, wood chips, brush clippings is renewable, and sustainable.
• Professionally installed stove will add value to your property

Seasoning your wood.

Wood being dried should be stacked in open areas under cover where it will be exposed to the sun and the wind. If you put it in a shed, garage, or outdoors in the shade, you will inhibit the seasoning process significantly. Having said this if you are buying pre-seasoned wood from a supplier then any form of dry storage will normally be fine. Just some ways to save with a wood stove.

Can we help?

If you are thinking of installing a new wood stove, please do get expert advice as fitting the incorrect stove could prove costly. Should you require assistance please do make contact. One of our fully qualified (HETAS registered) fitters will be happy to assist.

Why invest in a wood stove??

Research estimates that between a quarter and a third of all London’s fine-particle pollution comes from domestic wood burning. Eco-design Ready stoves are even better for the environment. However, it turns out that 70% of wood burning emissions comes from open fireplaces, not stoves!

While most modern wood burners are greener than their ageing counterparts, Eco-design Ready stoves are even better for the environment.

All wood burning stoves must comply with the eco-design European directive in a bid to tackle air pollution and particulate emissions. Many stove manufacturers are beating the directive to the punch and producing Eco design Ready stoves that exceed the directive by as much as 75%.

Advantages of a wood burning stove are numerous!

• The net fuel cost is cheaper than heating oil, natural gas, and electricity.
• Wood sourced locally can be free.
• Fuel in the form of logs, wood chips, brush clippings is renewable, and sustainable.
• Wood supply prices are relatively stable and have been for years.
• Professionally installed stove will add value to your property.

If you combine these advantages with the elegance a wood burner brings to your home its worth considering without a doubt.

Due to rising fuel bills homeowners are seeking alternative cost-effective heating options.

Wood burning stoves are a real alternative, these days they really do offer an impressive range of options to meet your home’s needs. Long gone are the days when wood burners were seen as an ugly and dirty heating source.

Help needed?

If you would like to explore your heating options, please do make contact and one of our qualified fitters (HETAS registered) will be happy to assist.