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

A stove can cost varying amounts to buy and install. A recent survey of stove owners taken to establish whether it’s really worth the initial outlay discovered that 64% said their stove saves them money. The cost of a stove can vary wildly, ranging from £400 to more than £2,000, and that’s before you’ve factored in the installation costs.

Stove installation costs

A stove installation will again vary depending on the siting of the new stove, do get professional advice as this could save you money. For example, if you already have a chimney, that will make it cheaper, as one won’t need to be built. However, it might need to be relined to make sure it won’t let any gases escape into your home.

You can also have a freestanding stove, which doesn’t need a chimney. But you will still need to have the flue (effectively acting as the chimney) fed outside somewhere, which will involve construction work on your home.

Savings

Will depend on how efficient the stove is and the fuel you use. Burning wood with 20% or less moisture will minimise pollutants and increase efficiency. Kiln-dried wood has less than 20% moisture, but is more expensive than seasoned logs. Most stove owners burn seasoned logs, and 13% of owners told us they collect free wood. Read more

Christmas and New year is now over and we are all looking for ways to save money in the coming year. Fuel bills keep rising and this keeps hitting the monthly budget, so can a wood burner help reduce this cost?

While the initial outlay can be expensive, they can reduce your fuel bills significantly, while at the same time being a fashionable addition to your home.

Can they save you money?

At first glance it would appear that installing a wood-burner is a costly exercise, with owners spending typically around £1500+ to get one supplied and installed. However, the long-term financial benefits are far more appealing as they can result in reducing the cost of other fuel sources. In this way, they can be compared to installing solar panels, which have a large upfront cost that can be recouped through lower heating bills in the years that follow. Read more

Wood burning stove maintenance and cleaning mostly consist of regular removal of the ashes which also boosts the stove’s efficiency. You should occasionally clean the internal surfaces with a wire brush or scraper and at the same time keep a close eye on potential problems such as holes in the ash pan, cracks, spots of rust on the finish and other unusual signs that may indicate damage.

It is also advisable to clean the glass on a regular basis because the longer you postpone the cleaning the harder it gets to remove the tar deposits. Always leave your stove to cool completely before you carry out any maintenance or cleaning chores and make sure that the ash is completely cold before you dispose of it.

In addition to keeping your stove clean inside and outside, be sure to have it inspected by a licensed professional (HETAS) 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, or if you have any problems with the stove do have them repaired immediately.

You are also highly recommended to have your chimney cleaned and checked by a chimney sweep at least once a year or more often if you use your wood burning stove on a regular basis. Poorly maintained or blocked chimneys pose a serious safety risk because they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and chimney fires.

Can we help?

If you require any assistance with your wood burner, please make contact and one of our qualified fitters will be happy to assist.

Wood-burning stoves have been riding the crest of the wave in the past few years and have proved extremely popular in the UK and Europe alike. Both efficient and practical, stoves have become a really viable heating solution. Their owners are also able to make real energy savings.

It’s also a fact that a property with a professionally fitted wood stove can be worth up to 5% more than one without just ask any estate agent. 

Sales of wooding burning stoves are going to reach record levels this year and the future looks very bright and very warm indeed. If you read all the reports energy prices are increasing and continue to do so as the Brexit talks linger on. The pound remains weak and all the experts say this could continue for months to come as the UK faces an uncertain future.

A professionally fitted wood burning stove can save you hundreds on annual fuel bills but do make sure your new burner is suitable for your home. Many people tend to install without seeking professional advice, this is fine, but if you want to get total efficiency do seek advice from a qualified fitter. One thing is for sure, if you have a stove fitted and you are selling the buyer is likely to want to see a certified certificate for the installation of the stove.   Read more