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

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

Wood-burners have become a sought-after design statement during the past 10 years or so.

They can provide a sense of charm and ambiance to a property. Modern wood-burning stoves give your home that warm heart as you sit around with friends and family on winter evenings.

Increased property value

A professionally installed burner can increase the value of your property, estate agents around the Country will tell you that a home with a certified log burner is very sought after.

Rising fuel bills are on the way 

Due to rising fuel bills, homeowners are seeking different cost-effective heating options. Wood burning stoves are a very real alternative. These days wood burners 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. Read more

With the cost of energy seemingly rising on a monthly basis it does warrant investigation as to alternative heating options. Fitting a wood stove could be the perfect solution as they are without doubt far cheaper to run especially if you can source you own fuel.

We are always being asked the best place and way to install a new wood stove appliance. Stoves basically can be installed almost anywhere in the home but as with most things some are far better than others.

When it comes to flue pipes the hard and fast rule is the straighter they are the better the air will flow. Ideally, your piping should rise directly up into a chimney located above the stove, but angles can be added as required.

Straighter or less curved runs create stronger air drafts that will promote more efficient burning and heat creation. This will also reduce the amount of creosote build-up which is far safer for your home thus reducing the risk of chimney fires. Read more

We are always asked by clients “which stove offers the best value”, well this is a very difficult question as most stoves these days have good and bad points. Steel or cast iron? Well, again this is very much down to the individual and their budget. The most important part of choosing a stove for your home is to get the correct advice, always consult a HETAS registered engineer who will be able to point you in the right direction.

Plus points of cast iron stoves

Cast iron wood stoves are a popular choice of wood stove for many reasons, among them its ability to hold up to high heat and temperature changes. Iron is a durable yet workable material that allows for panels of it to be drilled into larger, complex assemblies, like stoves.

It disperses heat nicely, conducting heat well from one part of the stove to the others.

The downside of cast iron stoves

Cast iron wood stoves can be costly. As they are put together with bolts and caulking they tend to require some degree of maintenance or repair over time, with replacement parts also costly as each individual model of cast iron stove must have its own master patterns for casting new panels and parts.

Many manufacturers of cast iron wood stoves today focus more on form, or decorative appeal than function. Read more