One big mistake a lot of owners make is not using correctly matured timber to burn.
Damp logs can be dangerous and cause chimney fires.
Nothing will cause your stove to function less efficiently than to fill it with green wood, so to avoid the problem you should begin the seasoning process in the early spring if you want your wood to be ready by the next winter.

If you plan to use any wood that is larger than normal, you will need to set it out to dry even earlier than that. Essentially, you should be harvesting your wood about a year and a half in advance of when you actually plan to burn it.

Seasoning.

Wood being dried should be stacked in open areas under cover where it will be exposed to the sun and the wind.

If you put it in a shed, garage, or outdoors in the shade, you will inhibit the seasoning process significantly. Having said this if you are buying pre-seasoned wood from a supplier then any form of dry storage will normally be fine.

Can we help?

If you are thinking of installing a new wood stove, please do get expert advice as fitting the incorrect stove could prove costly.

Always use a HETAS Registered fitter for your own peace of mind and safety.

Massive Range Of Stoves. New environmental standards for particle emissions come into force in 2022 aimed at creating a cleaner atmosphere.  Already, stove manufacturers are rolling out eco-friendly burners with a Stove Industry Alliance Eco Design-ready stamp of approval.

These reduce particle emissions by 90% compared to an open fire and 80% compared to an old-style stove.

Sales are increasing as domestic fuel prices rise at an alarming rate

In total, over 90,000 wood-burners have been installed this year, according to the Stove Industry Alliance.

Wood-burning stoves are generally installed for a reason, such as a secondary heating supply or to save money. There is a percentage who have them installed because they are fashionable and these days this combination is normal.

Fuel costs as we all know are increasing rapidly with electricity and gas prices leading the way.

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. 

Can we help?

Finally, Kent Stoves offer a massive range of stoves. If you require assistance, please do make contact and one of our fully qualified engineers will be happy to help.

Wood stoves for the future. An increased awareness of environmental issues, together with rocketing fuel prices. This 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. Naturally this could be set to rise.

The installation of wood burning, and multi-fuel stoves is “monitored” under Building Regulations. This includes 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 or OFTEC 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.

Correct wood stove

To be sure a stove meets your needs, choose a HETAS or OFTEC approved one, which comes from an experienced manufacturer. Apart from the safety element, wood stoves have improved so much of late it’s vital to select the correct one for your home.

If you choose professional help the fitter will consider your lifestyle and the type of property you reside in. An open-plan well insulated home for example can use a stove to cut down fuel bills, the fitter will explain all the advantages and savings that can be made.

Long term maintenance

A stove is not a “fit and forget” product. The burner itself may need very little maintenance. But without regular cleaning soot builds up in the flue and this can cause chimney fires. It is highly recommended to have your burner cleaned and serviced. Ideally at least once a year for safety and peace of mind.

Help?

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

Wood burners make great focal points for interiors, they are cleaner and more efficient than open fireplaces, and save you money on your heating bills.

If you’re dreaming of installing one, you’re in good company – over 200,000 are installed each year in the UK.

To enjoy using a log burner safely and responsibly, it’s important to do your research.

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.

Should 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) and meets regulatory requirements.

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.

Can we help?

If you require assistance, please do make contact and one of our fully qualified fitters will be happy to help.

Stoves add value. The appeal of a natural fire is far more than just aesthetic. It can also prove a shrewd investment.

A fireplace and professionally fitted wood stove can add as much as 5% to the value of your home, thanks to its wow factor.

It can also save you money. While energy firms have been hiking up the price of gas and electricity by 40% or more this year, the cost of a wood stove has remained constant.

Research shows that an average family are spending over £250 per month just heating a 3-bedroomed house.

A wood burning stove could be the answer to reducing these potential rises, stove sales are at the highest we have ever seen for this time of year as homeowners prepare for the future.

A wood burning stove is a highly efficient source of heat delivering over 80% economy in many cases.

The new generation of stoves are clean and extremely easy to use making them a must for the majority of homes. A wood burner can be up to 75% cheaper to run than an electric heater and 50% cheaper than a gas effect fire.

Installing a stove can obviously save you money and is something to consider for the future. Make sure you do your homework before deciding as selecting the wrong model for your home could have a detrimental effect.