Blog by Kent Stoves | Faversham Kent

Keep much warmer this winter and save money

26th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Keep much warmer this winter and save money

With the colder weather hitting 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 a wood burning stove.

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.

So far in 2019 the stove industry is reporting record sales and installations of the traditional log burner. Sales this year are up a massive 28.4% on the same period last year and HETAS registered fitters around the country are very busy trying to keep pace with the upsurge. Read more

Wood stove revolution continues

26th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Wood stove revolution continues

Sales of wood burning stoves continue to increase month on month as the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills. Never before has the industry seen such rapid growth, especially this early in the winter months.

The figures go to prove without doubt that the British public are taking very seriously the increased costs of heating their homes. Facts are energy costs can only go upwards with the weakened pound and the turmoil surrounding the UK and Europe.

Whether you’re the proud owner of a shiny new stove, or your thinking of installing one, there are a few things that you need to know to really get the most out of that heating monster in the fireplace. Read more

Great looking and environmentally friendly!

26th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

For the most part, wood-burning stoves are environmentally friendly. However, make sure your wood supplier is committed to replanting the trees harvested and source locally to reduce your carbon footprint.

Wood-burners have risen in popularity for the last five years as more homes discover the benefits they have to offer.

One benefit that always goes un-noticed is how the value of your home will increase after you have installed the burner. Just ask any estate agent and they will tell you a home with a wood stove is far more desirable than one without. Read more

Looking forward to coming home this winter?

26th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

You know the feeling – it’s cold and rainy outside, the wind is howling, and the sun went down hours ago.

But when you’re curled up on the sofa in front of a warm and toasty crackling fire, you won’t give the weather a second thought.

And don’t think a wood-burning stove is only the preserve of a grand country pile – there are plenty of colours, shapes and sizes to choose from, so even if your decor is ultra-modern or you’ve only got a compact space to slot one in, rest assured there’s a wood burner for you.

Plus, they’ll help cut your energy bills, giving off enough heat to warm an entire room. So if you’ve been thinking about investing in a wood-burning get some professional advice. Read more

Make sure you’re ready!

4th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

As we all know the dreaded winter months will very soon be with us, so if you have a wood burning stove NOW is the time get prepared.

Have you had your chimney cleaned yet?

Ask yourself this, when was the last time you had your stove cleaned and serviced?

If the answer is more than a year ago then you should act now to ensure your stove produces the heat required for your homes comfort.

Thinking for taking the plunge?

If you’re thinking of installing a new stove it 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. Read more

Hardwood is a must for a cleaner environment and efficiency

4th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

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.

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.

You’ll 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.

The secret to a good fire, is wood that has been seasoned for more than a year. In the case of oak, you’ll want to season the wood at least two years, sometimes longer. Much of the wood for sale now is actually green and needs another year to season. Read more

Energy bills continue to increase alarmingly

24th October 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The worrying thing is that fuel prices are lightly to continue to increase in the foreseeable future due to the weak pound and the ongoing Brexit chaos. It seems everybody looks to blame the “Brexit talks” but the fact is this really is affecting the value of the pound and therefore increases the cost of imported fuel. Recent figures show the UK is importing more energy than ever before from abroad so if the pound remains week it’s obvious prices will rise.

A solution?

Installing a wood burning stove could go a long way to help you reduce your energy bills, wood burning stoves are environmentally friendly. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours so there is bound to be one to fit your home’s needs. The wood burnt is UK sourced so exchange rates will not affect the price.

If you decided to install a stove it is recommended to have it done professionally for safety and peace of mind. One massive benefit that nearly always goes un-noticed is how the value of your property will increase. Any estate agent will tell you that a home with a professionally fitted eco-friendly stove is worth more than one that isn’t. Read more

How green are wood burners?

8th October 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

We’re living in a very different world than we were only 15 or 20 years ago. The general public has become a lot more aware of environmental concerns and carbon footprints, and we have seen an increase in trends associated with a sustainable and ecological way of life.

Wood burning stoves have captured the interest of many homeowners; the combination of cheap heating and a cosy focal point within the property is an appealing idea. As a result, there are currently an estimated 1.5 million households in the UK with a wood burning stove, with around 200,000 more stoves being sold every year.

Many people believe a wood burning stove to be a significant step towards lowering their environmental impact, relying on a sustainable resource to heat their properties rather than purchasing energy from the central grid – much of which is generated by the burning of carbon-heavy fossil fuels. But how accurate is this idea? Are wood burners actually good for the environment? Read more

Environmentally friendly stove

30th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The Government has introduced a certification for stoves that meets green standards. These appliances, soon to be the only available in stores, are labelled with an “eco-design” sticker and have improved air circulation that burns more cleanly.

As well as looking for this sticker, check the efficiency rating and emissions level on your stove. If you live in a smoke-controlled area, like London, the only stoves you can legally buy are DEFRA-approved smoke exempt ones, which have been tested for emission levels during all stages of normal operation.

Upgrade to an eco-friendly model

If your stove is 10 years old or more, you should seriously think about replacing it as it may not meet environmental standards set in the future.

Stoves available on the market now release 90% fewer emissions than open fires and 80% fewer than the stoves of 10 years ago. Newly designed stoves are also 80% efficient, increased from 60% in 2008, meaning new owners get more heat for their money. Read more

UK Stove Sale Increase

30th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Sales of wood burning stoves continue to increase month on month as the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills. As the pound unfortunately gets weaker the cost of imported fuel rises, with the uncertain time ahead the UK public are turning to alternative ways of heating.

Installing a wood stove could go a long way to solving some of the issues. Using a wood burner as back up heating really makes sense as the heat generated can help reduce central heating cost massively.

Once you have installed the burner it is very important to use it to maximize efficiency and there some very simple rules to follow. One the majority of owners ignore is air circulation. Read more