A log burner make great focal point for interiors, 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 chill sets in, you’re in good company – 175,000 are installed each year in the UK.

To enjoy using a log burner safely and responsibly, it’s important to do your research. 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). You’ll also need to factor in the cost of installation and maintenance, as these can change the final price quite dramatically. It’s a good idea to check the size and cost of logs you’ll need and whether you can buy them locally.

Wood burners are a great way of bringing the comfort of a real fire into your home, even if you don’t have a vast amount of space. If you live in an urban area that is smoke-controlled, you’ll need to check the stove you are buying is approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) or go for one that has the option of burning smokeless fuels as an alternative. Read more

Great way to heat

A stove can be a great way to heat your home cheaply, especially if you can get logs for free. Stoves are generally used to heat just one room, rather than as a way to heat an entire home. The majority of homes in the UK have a stove as well as a central heating system.

Stove costs and savings

How much a stove could cut your energy bill depends on various factors, including: how you use your stove and how often you use it also how well your home is insulated. Also, think about how much a stove might cost to install – it could be anything between around £750 and £2,000. A lot of factors can affect the installation price. For example, if you need a new chimney built or an existing one relined. Once you have installed your stove the savings will start, make sure your supply of wood is of a good quality and at least 2 years matured. Read more

Why a stove makes sense

Word on the street is that gas and electricity bills are about to rise due to the weaker pound. A wood burning stove could be the long-term answer to these rising costs and certainly warrants more investigation. Experts are predicting a very volatile twelve months ahead due to the Brexit talks starting so saving money is a priority.

1. You can cut your energy bills
   As the cost of electricity, oil and gas remains sky high, heating a property can be extremely expensive. Although the initial cost of a wood burner may be more than a gas fire, it will certainly save you money in the long run. When used efficiently, a kilowatt of heat per hour costs about one fifth of kWh of electricity and about one third of kWh of oil and gas.
2. The heat is unique
   One of the main reasons many people choose to install a stove is because they have a unique heat. This warmth feels cosy and more pleasant than other types of fuel. Did you know that wood burners emit heat for a long time after it has actually gone out? Something that gas fires don’t do. There’s nothing like sitting in front of a wood burner.
3. They are eye-catching
   Wood burners look decorative and they have a certain magnetic quality. They are great for social gatherings as many people, whether it’s at home or in a restaurant, tend to gather around the open fire as a social activity.

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With colder weather reportedly on its way, how do you stay warm? More likely than not it’s by turning up the central heating.

However, a growing number of people are opting for renewable heating sources instead such as wood burning stoves.

These claim to not only be good for the environment but also a way to cut the cost of your energy bills plus add value to your property. Estate agents will tell you that a house with a wood burning stove usually adds value to the property.

But are they just a fad or can you make some real savings?
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A wood burning stove can be installed virtually anywhere in the your home, providing there is a way to run a vent pipe to the outside of the house. This means you can zone-heat any room or space making your home warmer.

Exceptionally good heating

The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the burner will give off. Woods stoves operate on the principal of radiant heat, which warms an area faster and more efficiently than warm air being blown through a home’s vent system. The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions making your home warmer. Fitted in a central position in your home you will be amazed how the rest of your house suddenly gets a whole lot warmer. Read more