Making the most of your wood burner to save money

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Whilst wood stoves can be used as an alternative for the main heating system in a home, they really are an excellent supplementary support system. In cold periods when the central heating isn’t enough, or you don’t want to turn it on full blast, the stove can be used as a supplement, and this proves particularly cost-effective compared to the cost of electric room heaters.

When your log burner is burning away and working to its full capacity, it’s time to start saving money on your heating bills.

Heat always travels up, and it will do the same in a two-or-more story home. So, if you leave the stairway door and the bedroom doors open, the heat generated will naturally go up the stairs and fill all rooms with warmth. Just ensure the passageway leading upstairs remains open, the heat from the wood stove will warm the upstairs. You will be able within an hour or so to turn the central heating thermostat down a few degrees and in turn start to save an awful lot of money. Read more

Getting the best from your wood stove

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Whether you’ve just bought a stove, are thinking of getting one, or have inherited one with a home you’ve moved into, there are several things to consider so you can make the most of your stove.

If you’re thinking of getting a multi-fuel stove, think about what fuel you’re going to use. According to a survey conducted by the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), 77% of multi-fuel stoves owners said they used their stove exclusively to burn wood.  As not all multi-fuel stoves burn wood as efficiently as dedicated wood burning stoves, those people would be better off with a log burner.

To make sure you get the most out of your wood burning stove, it’s vital to use the right kind of wood. First and foremost, it’s important that you burn as dry wood as possible – ideally it should only contain less than 20% moisture. In other words, wood that has been drying for at least 18 months.  Read more

Increase the value of your property

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Wood-burners have risen in popularity for the last five years as more homes discover the benefits they have to offer. One benefit that generally goes unnoticed is how the value of your home will increase after you have installed the wood burner. Estate agents up and down the country are always pleased to sell a property with a HETAS certified fitted wood burner installed.

One local Kent estate agent commented, “We can always sell a good property with a certified fitted log burner easier, it is a major feature and will add to the price in a sale”. “This coupled with an energy efficient home will definitely see a high price achieved”. Read more

Double bonus – keep warmer and save money!

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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 wood-burning 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.

So far in 2018, the stove industry is reporting record sales and installations of the traditional log burner. Sales this year are up a massive 21.4% 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 fitting

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An increased awareness of environmental issues, together with rocketing fuel prices, has led to a dramatic uptake in demand for wood burning domestic heating systems.

More than one million UK homes are already using wood burning stoves, and this could be set to rise as the Stove Industry Alliance estimates that wood burning stoves could account for 10% of the UK Government’s carbon reduction targets by 2020.

The installation of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves is “monitored” under the Building Regulations, as is the relining or installation of flues and chimneys associated with such heat producing appliances.

It is highly recommended that stove installation work is carried out by a HETAS registered installer, the reality is that many stoves get put in unprofessionally. Incorrectly installed stoves can be dangerous both to health and a can be fire hazards. Read more

Top safety precautions

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Top safety precautions

Here at Kent Stoves, we have a wide range of environmentally friendly stoves available with a selection of distinctive styles to suit any taste and home.

Most importantly is to select the correct stove for the area you are looking to heat, we have fully qualified HETAS advisers waiting to assist you. One very common error once you have had your stove installed is not to understand it’s benefits and how to use it safely. Below are a few tips to make your new stove safe and heat efficient now and in the future.

Store your wood correctly

By using the correct wood, and storing it in a dry place, you can maximize the heat efficiency and reduce the harmful fumes that may be released. Wood should be dried for at least 18 months but preferably 24 months. For more information about choosing the correct fuel for your stove speak to our consultant.

Keep your stove clean of ash

A large build-up of ash can damage your stove and potentially cause an unwanted fire! To prevent this, ash must be raked out regularly and placed in a metal ash bucket. It is very important to wait until the ashes have cooled before moving them. Read more

Thinking of joining the crowd?

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If you are thinking of installing a wood burner in your home like so many others, here are a few things to take note of.

If you have a new stove installed it’s likely to increase the value of your property due to the current demand but remember it must be fitted by a registered installer.

Efficiency

As great as open fires are they are not energy efficient and only give approximately 20% output. Wood burning stoves are much more efficient, at around 70-90%, so you get all the benefits of a real fire without most of your money going up the chimney!

Use a registered installer

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. Read more

Steel or cast iron?

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Wood burning stoves bring the rich scent of burning wood and the cosy crackle of a warm fire to indoor living spaces. When shopping for a wood burning stove, you can choose from just a few common materials, including traditional cast iron and more modern steel units.

Consider factors such as maintenance, appearance, construction, and operation when comparing these materials to narrow your selection and find the right model for your home.

It is highly recommended to speak to a qualified fitter who can explain all the pros and cons of each metal.

Care and maintenance of your stove Read more

Wood stoves are clean and efficient

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The green benefits of burning wood are gaining wider and wider support. Burning wood cleanly only releases the same amount of CO2 into the atmosphere as from a tree when it is left to rot naturally as it would do at the end of its lifecycle. What is more, harvested trees are replaced with new trees, which in turn absorb CO2 in the process of photosynthesis as they grow.

Most importantly, burning wood with a moisture level of below 20% will give twice the heat output of freshly felled timber and will also help to reduce a build-up of tar in your chimney and the environment. To achieve this correct moisture level, the wood should be seasoned or matured for approximately two years. Storage should ideally be outside and be stacked to let the air flow around the timber, this will then dry naturally.

Wood burning stoves 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. Read more

The right fuel for your stove

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Stove owners often make mistakes when selecting wood to be burnt in their living room pride and joy. If you have paid out good money for your new stove plus having it fitted you will want to get the best results.

If you burn softwood as opposed to hardwood the heat you will achieve can be up to 50% less. Burning softwood can be expensive in the long run and your burner will not be working to its full capacity.

If you are contemplating installing a new wood burner do check in your area wood suppliers and what timber they normally supply.

The best logs are

Oak     –           Very dense, long burning, minimum drying 18 months 5*

Maple  –           Hot burner, long-lasting, efficient, minimum drying 18 months 5*

Cherry –           Medium hot burner, good starter log, minimum drying 18 months 4* Read more