Very wise words from a previous customer!

“The winter of 2023 gas and electric bills meant it was time to act. An engineer from Kent Stoves (HETAS) registered company confirmed the idea of installing a woodstove was going to work well for us.

We got the old gas fire and pipework removed, measured up our fireplace and started looking for a stove that would fit our relatively small fireplace”.

“We did our homework and got Kent Stoves advice as to the correct wood burner we would need to heat our living area”.

Very important for heat and efficiency

“We have found a local joinery company from which we source our wood, so we are now burning waste wood that would otherwise be destined for landfill, the wood is dry and has no preservatives or other dangerous additives”

“This summer we have upgraded the loft insulation – prompted by another article. And, if we keep the stove going all day, it heats the entire house. We still use the central heating to heat the bedrooms if it’s very cold”.

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.

Some benefits of installing a stove

1. Increased property
2. Smaller heating bills
3. Power cut – no problem
4. Environmentally friendly

What to do if you want to save money

If you would like to know if you could benefit from a wood burning stove get in contact and one of our qualified fitters (HETAS) registered engineers will guide you in the right direction.

How to get my stove ready for next season? Save money on your heating bill this coming winter

Installing a wood burner in your home could save you in the long term a great deal of money. The savings will depend on how efficient your new stove is and the fuel you use.

Crucial – 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 27% of the owners told us they collect free wood from local resources.

So how to get my stove ready for next season? Just imagine the savings you could make if you could source your own wood to burn free.

New efficient stoves reduce potentially harmful particle emissions by more than 80%, compared with stoves from 10 years ago, according to the Stove Industry Alliance.

A survey of stove owners taken to establish whether it’s really worth the initial outlay discovered that 74% said their stove does save them money!!

Always use professionals (HETAS registered)

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.

It is vital 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. One of our qualified fitters will be happy to assist.

Summer Stove Installation Deals. Managing the air flow is vital for efficiency

Firstly as far as your stove is concerned, air comes in two flavours. Primary air feeds the bed of the fire, and secondary air feeds the flames above it. Nearly all the energy from wood comes from burning gases released when it is heated – which means that secondary air is much more important than primary. The golden rules are:

• Never completely close the secondary air vent. It’s the easiest way to create soot and tar and completely coat the glass on the front of your stove with gunk (a technical term)
• Remember you’re always looking for a hot, fast burn. This will be the cleanest, most efficient way of running the stove. A small hot fire is much more efficient than a large slow burning one. SUMMER months it is advised to leave both vents open when the stove is not in use.

Seasoning your wood

Wood being dried should be stacked in open areas under cover. This is 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.

Wood stoves and the environment

This summer we are seeing more people installing wood stoves than ever before. Mainly due to the cost savings they can provide. As such one question our fitters are always asked is how environmentally friendly are they?  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.

 Can we help?

Finally If you are thinking of installing a new wood stove, please do get expert advice as fitting the incorrect stove could prove costly. Contact Us at Kent Stoves for summer stove installtion deals. Should you require assistance please do make contact. One of our fully qualified (HETAS registered) fitters will be happy to assist.

Should I buy a log burner now? Time to do your research

Sales of wooding burning stoves are going to reach record levels this fiscal year. The future looks very bright and very warm indeed. So should I buy a log burner now?

Log burners make great focal points for interiors and come in all shapes and sizes, they are cleaner and more efficient than open fireplaces and will 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. 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.

Burn only mature logs for optimal heat and efficiency.

Wood is a far more environmentally friendly fuel than oil, gas and electricity. Subject to far less price rises. Freshly cut wood contains a lot of water, so you should dry it out before you can burn it. This can take as long as 18-24 months.

It is very unwise to burn wet or unseasoned wood. This will cause a soot build up in your chimney and make your burner very dirty.

Expert advice

For your protection and safety, you should always have a fully qualified HETAS registered 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 assist?

If you are looking to install a new wood burning stove, please do make contact. One of our qualified fitters (HETAS registered) will be happy to guide you.

Is Summer Best For Buying A Stove? Wood stoves – what’s on offer?

Style, elegance and economical

As well as giving you a wonderful source of heat which is ideal during those colder months, wood burning stoves also look great.

When you add one to your room, you will find that the wood burner becomes a new focal point. Thus adding character and style to the living space.

The heat output is exceptional

One of the most desirable features and benefits of a wood burner is the heat output it produces. A wood burning stove provides a powerful heat source for your home, meaning that the room or rooms get warm very quickly and effectively.

There are wood burners available in a range of sizes and with varying energy output levels, (make sure you check what heat output your room requires) so you can choose a model that is appropriate for the size of the area you wish to heat. It is recommended to seek professional advice (HETAS registered) fitter in choosing as selecting the wrong stove could very costly.

Wood burner costs and more important the 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. Plus how well your home is insulated. Also, think about how much a stove might cost to install – it could be anything between £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.

If it’s at all possible to install your new wood burning stove in the centre of your house this without doubt is the favoured option.

Can we help?

If you are thinking of installing a wood burning stove, please contact us.  One of our fully qualified (HETAS Registered) advisers will be happy to assist.