Are Stoves A Good Home Improvement?

Are you making home improvements this summer?

It’s that time of year again when we all start thinking about home improvements. All DIY superstores will tell you May equals a significant increase in sales.

One thing on all homeowner’s minds is reducing their energy bills, so, if you are thinking of changing things at home do consider installing a wood burning stove. Doing this one thing will in the long term save you a great deal of money on your Gas and Electricity bills.

Wood burning stoves always make great focal points for interiors. They are cleaner and more efficient than open fireplaces. Also they will save you money on your heating bills. Install one and get ready for your life in the winter months to get a whole lot better and warmer.

If you’re thinking of installing one you should start your planning now. Sales are booming, fitters do have much longer waiting lists than ever before.

A wood stove can add value and ambience to your property.

There are some more peripheral benefits about heating your home with a wood-fuelled stove. Wood burning stoves can be used as additional cooking surfaces in the home, perfect for warm cocoa.

They also have the added bonus of saving you money on other utilities, like electricity which as we all know is expensive.

There are many things to consider when selecting stove to meet your home’s needs. Two of the most important ones. Siting of the stove and the kw required to heat your defined area, get these right and you will save a lot of money!

Can we assist?

If you would like to know more about heating with a wood burner, please make contact and one of our fully qualified fitters (HETAS registered) will be happy to help.

Ideal Moisture Content and sourcing your wood for the next season.

To make sure you get the most out of your wood-burning stove, and don’t create additional pollution to the atmosphere. It’s important to use the right kind of wood.

Now is the time to source the logs. Stack them correctly and get prepared for the next season. When storing your wood ensure air can flow around. Also this will aid the drying process and produce more heat when burning.

First and foremost.

You need to burn wood that is as dry as possible. It should only contain less than 20% moisture.

Important – You can reduce the moisture content of freshly cut wood by drying it yourself. This is called seasoning. To do this, it’s best to store the wood in a dry place for at least a year, preferably two. To help you work out how dry your wood is, you can also buy a moisture meter. These cost around £20 and are readily available.

For the best results, the wood should be left on a dry surface protected from rain. Leave the sides exposed to air and wind, as it will speed up the drying process. Additionally can buy dedicated wood stores to help with this.

Wood stoves and the environment.

One very important question our fitters are always asked is how environmentally friendly are they?  As such 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. This is when it is left to rot naturally as it would do at the end of its lifecycle. Furthermore, harvested trees are replaced with new trees, which in turn absorb CO2 in the process of photosynthesis as they grow.

Can we help?

When thinking of installing a wood burning stove, please contact us. One of our fully qualified (HETAS Registered) advisers will be happy to assist and discuss ideal moisture content.

Log Burner Options.

Log Burner options when looking for a solution to keeping warmer?

Well, wood heating appliances are designed for beauty and performance. As such a wood stove will be the focal point of any room. Regardless of your taste, there’s a stove designed for you and your budget.

To be honest it’s difficult to find ugly stoves or inserts nowadays. Therefore with so many beautiful stoves to choose from and the costs coming down this does make a great heating solution!

Another great advantage of wood heating is having heat when there is no power.

There’s not much more satisfying than being warm and happy around your wood stove. Particularly when all the lights in the neighbourhood are out.

The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the burner will give off, this fact is often overlooked. Wood 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 for example.

The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions.

Fitted in a central position in your home you will be amazed how the rest of your house suddenly gets a whole lot warmer.

Expert advice (HETAS) registered.

For your protection and safety, always have a fully qualified professional install your wood stove pellet burning appliance. At Kent Stoves, we will evaluate everything for you to ensure your safety and maximise efficiency.

Can we assist?

Finally if you would like to know more about heating with a wood burner, please make contact.  Then one of our fully qualified fitters (HETAS) registered will be happy to help.

Stoves in Smoke Free Zones. Wood stoves, what does the future hold?

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 and a quarter million UK homes are already using wood burning stoves. Additionally this could be set to rise dramatically over the next few years.

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

Should you live in an urban area that is smoke-controlled, you’ll need to check the stove you are buying is approved. Approval 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.

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.

Expert advice

For your protection and safety, you should always have a fully qualified professional install your wood/pellet burning appliance. At Kent Stoves, we will evaluate everything for you to ensure your safety and maximise efficiency.

Help?

If you require some assistance with your current or new stove, please do make contact and one of our fully trained fitters (HETAS Registered) will be pleased to guide you.

Fueling The Revolution, The Wood Stove Revolution Continues….

Sales of stoves continue to increase month on month. As the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills.

 As we all know the cost of traditional methods of heating our homes has increased over the last two or three years and it shows no signs of stopping!!

Installing a wood stove really warrants consideration, many people who have already installed a stove including myself are reaping the rewards. As such, fueling the revolution. A correctly installed stove will save you money in the long term and enhance the value of your property.

Seek qualified advice (HETAS registered)

Before selecting a wood burning stove for your home get expert advice as to the correct model to suit your circumstances. Choosing the wrong stove will cost extra money and can be inefficient which let’s face it is just the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

Do not burn damp wood!

 This is the most fundamental thing to get right when you’re burning wood. It might be surprising, but green wood is over 50% water. Therefore that means that for every kg of green wood you add to the fire, you are effectively adding around 500ml (a pint) of water.

Make sure that your fuel has been dried properly.

Hardwood is a must for efficiency and the environment.

 Seasoning your wood

Hardwoods are denser woods that burn hotter and longer than softwoods, but you will 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.)

Can we help?

 If you would like assistance in planning, please do contact us.  One of our qualified (HETAS) registered fitters will be happy to help.