Uncategorised Archives | Page 25 of 40

Make sure you’re ready!

4th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

As we all know the dreaded winter months will very soon be with us, so if you have a wood burning stove NOW is the time get prepared.

Have you had your chimney cleaned yet?

Ask yourself this, when was the last time you had your stove cleaned and serviced?

If the answer is more than a year ago then you should act now to ensure your stove produces the heat required for your homes comfort.

Thinking for taking the plunge?

If you’re thinking of installing a new stove it must comply with building regulations and the easiest way to do this is to use a qualified fitter. 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. Read more

Hardwood is a must for a cleaner environment and efficiency

4th November 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

For the serious fire lover, you may want to invest in hardwoods like oak, ash, hickory, walnut and fruit trees such as apple or cherry.

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

There is absolutely no point in burning unseasoned wood as you will be boiling water, and this is just inefficient and bad for the environment.

You’ll find that hardwood is more expensive to purchase than softwood like pine and fir. But the hardwood burns longer so you’ll need less wood.

The secret to a good fire, is wood that has been seasoned for more than a year. In the case of oak, you’ll want to season the wood at least two years, sometimes longer. Much of the wood for sale now is actually green and needs another year to season. Read more

Energy bills continue to increase alarmingly

24th October 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The worrying thing is that fuel prices are lightly to continue to increase in the foreseeable future due to the weak pound and the ongoing Brexit chaos. It seems everybody looks to blame the “Brexit talks” but the fact is this really is affecting the value of the pound and therefore increases the cost of imported fuel. Recent figures show the UK is importing more energy than ever before from abroad so if the pound remains week it’s obvious prices will rise.

A solution?

Installing a wood burning stove could go a long way to help you reduce your energy bills, wood burning stoves are environmentally friendly. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours so there is bound to be one to fit your home’s needs. The wood burnt is UK sourced so exchange rates will not affect the price.

If you decided to install a stove it is recommended to have it done professionally for safety and peace of mind. One massive benefit that nearly always goes un-noticed is how the value of your property will increase. Any estate agent will tell you that a home with a professionally fitted eco-friendly stove is worth more than one that isn’t. Read more

How green are wood burners?

8th October 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

We’re living in a very different world than we were only 15 or 20 years ago. The general public has become a lot more aware of environmental concerns and carbon footprints, and we have seen an increase in trends associated with a sustainable and ecological way of life.

Wood burning stoves have captured the interest of many homeowners; the combination of cheap heating and a cosy focal point within the property is an appealing idea. As a result, there are currently an estimated 1.5 million households in the UK with a wood burning stove, with around 200,000 more stoves being sold every year.

Many people believe a wood burning stove to be a significant step towards lowering their environmental impact, relying on a sustainable resource to heat their properties rather than purchasing energy from the central grid – much of which is generated by the burning of carbon-heavy fossil fuels. But how accurate is this idea? Are wood burners actually good for the environment? Read more

Environmentally friendly stove

30th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

The Government has introduced a certification for stoves that meets green standards. These appliances, soon to be the only available in stores, are labelled with an “eco-design” sticker and have improved air circulation that burns more cleanly.

As well as looking for this sticker, check the efficiency rating and emissions level on your stove. If you live in a smoke-controlled area, like London, the only stoves you can legally buy are DEFRA-approved smoke exempt ones, which have been tested for emission levels during all stages of normal operation.

Upgrade to an eco-friendly model

If your stove is 10 years old or more, you should seriously think about replacing it as it may not meet environmental standards set in the future.

Stoves available on the market now release 90% fewer emissions than open fires and 80% fewer than the stoves of 10 years ago. Newly designed stoves are also 80% efficient, increased from 60% in 2008, meaning new owners get more heat for their money. Read more

UK Stove Sale Increase

30th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Sales of wood burning stoves continue to increase month on month as the UK public look for ways to reduce their heating bills. As the pound unfortunately gets weaker the cost of imported fuel rises, with the uncertain time ahead the UK public are turning to alternative ways of heating.

Installing a wood stove could go a long way to solving some of the issues. Using a wood burner as back up heating really makes sense as the heat generated can help reduce central heating cost massively.

Once you have installed the burner it is very important to use it to maximize efficiency and there some very simple rules to follow. One the majority of owners ignore is air circulation. Read more

Time to consider?

17th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Have you considered a wood burning stove which 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.

As we all know energy prices keep on going up and this is, without doubt, causing problems for many households. The problem is this situation could well continue for the foreseeable future as the pound remains weak and the Brexit talks continue. So, ask your self is it time to explore the alternatives?

If the answer is yes, then have a very serious look into a wood burner. Once you have installed one you will immediately see a reduction in your heating bills, that is certain. Read more

Rising fuel bills

11th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Due to rising fuel bills homeowners are seeking alternative cost-effective heating options

Installing a wood burning stove is a real alternative, these days they offer an impressive range of options to meet your home’s needs. Long gone are the days when wood burners were seen as an ugly and dirty heating source. Facts are a professionally installed wood stove can increase the value of your home.

Installing a wood stove

If you have an existing chimney installing a wood stove is relatively easy. The fitter will usually insert a liner inside the existing chimney from the burner to the exit point. For straight chimneys this can made up of sections of jointed metal pipe, which can be either single or double skinned. A double skin is more airtight and lasts longer than a single skin but of course costs more. Read more

Efficiency and a fashion statement

11th September 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

Installing a wood burner could be a very wise move.

There is a large range of wood burning stoves to choose from, ranging in price from £500 to more than £2,000.

A key consideration is how much heat it will pump out. Years ago you had to live in the countryside to enjoy a wood burner, but technological improvements mean they can also provide a great heating solution in many town and city homes.

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. Read more

Make sure your wood is ready

13th August 2019/in Uncategorised /by Kent Stoves

People tend to underestimate just how much moisture firewood contains.

Nothing will cause your stove to function less efficiently than to fill it with green wood, so to avoid this 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. Essentially, you should be harvesting your wood about 18 months in advance of when you actually plan to burn it, if you want to guarantee that it will be properly seasoned. Read more