stove

Choose The Best Stove

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Choose the best stove. The wood burning stove revolution speeds up as winter approaches.

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

The figures go to prove without doubt that the British public are taking very seriously the increased costs of heating their homes.

Whether you’re the proud owner of a shiny new stove, or your thinking of installing one, there are a few things that you need to know to really get the most out of that heating monster in the fireplace.

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.

 Managing the air is crucial for efficiency.

 As far as your stove is concerned, air comes in two types. 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.

Make sure you fully understand how to control the air to your new or existing stove.

Can we help? Let our years of expertise help you choose the best stove.

 If you would like some assistance, please do contact us and one of our qualified fitters (HETAS registered) who will be happy to help.

 

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Going for the natural look with a wood burning stove

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Going for the natural look?

For all those who have left the grid behind and are making a go of it on their own, wood stoves are one of the best options available anywhere on the home heating scene.

It’s also a fact that a home with a professionally fitted stove can be worth up to 5% more than one without.

Sales of wooding burning stoves are going to reach record levels this fiscal year and the future looks very bright and very warm indeed.

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 can even save you money on your heating bills.

If you’re dreaming of installing one, you’re in good company – 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.

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 at going for the natural look install a new wood burning stove, please do make contact and one of our qualified fitters (HETAS registered) will be happy to guide you.

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Woodburners Save Money

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Woodburners save money. Wood burner 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 £850 and £4,000.

A lot of factors can affect the installation price.

If you need a new chimney built or an existing one relined this will cost extra. 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.

Always use a registered installer

To ensure you get the maximum benefit from your new wood stove it is vitally important to have it fitted correctly.

The installation of a wood burner 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.

Stove benefits

Increased property

Smaller heating bills

Power cut – no problem

Environmentally friendly

Help with fitting and servicing?

If you would like assistance choosing a new stove or to discuss how woodburners save money for your home, please do make contact and one of our HETAS qualified fitters will be happy to help.

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Do you have an open fireplace?

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If you have then fitting a new woodstove into the fireplace is going to improve  your heating and what’s more reduce your bills!!!

But please remember firstly and most important ….

Burning wood with a moisture level of below 20% will give twice the heat output of freshly felled timber and will also help to reduce a build-up of tar in your chimney and the environment. To achieve this correct moisture level, the wood should be seasoned or matured for approximately two years. Storage should ideally be outside and be stacked to let the air flow around the timber, this will then dry naturally.

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.

What is more, harvested trees are replaced with new trees, which in turn absorb CO2 in the process of photosynthesis as they grow.

Wood burning stoves 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.

So, as you can see there are many benefits of installing a log burner not to mention the fact that a professionally fitted one could increase the value of your property.

Can we help?

If you are considering installing a wood burning stove it is particularly important to select the correct one for your home. We have fully qualified fitters (HETAS registered) who will be able to advise you on the best stove to meet your needs so please do make contact.

 

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Woodburning Stove Choice

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Pointers to look out for when selecting your new wood stove!

A stove that is too small for the room will not be powerful enough to heat the room adequately, on the other hand, if you have a stove that is too large it will need constant attention to keep the temperature down.

A result of this is the combustion within the stove will not be complete and you will quickly have a build-up of soot not just on the glass, but up the chimney as well.

With this in mind, when calculating the required output, a slightly greater output should be considered (no more than 1.5kW), as there will be a greater need for rapid heating in the long dark cold months of winter.

Quality heating and far more comfortable

The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the burner will give off. 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. The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions.

As you are making a large investment within your home installing a new stove it really will pay to get expert help (HETAS registered) when selecting the stove to meet your needs.

Can we help?

If you would like assistance selecting and installing a new log burner, please get in touch and one of our HETAS qualified fitters will be happy to help.

 

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Service your Stove

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Now is a good time to service your wood stove.

Summer is here and we all forget about our lovely cozy stoves which keep us warm in the winter.

Now is the right time to do all the maintenance jobs to keep them functioning properly.

To keep your stove in good working order, the Industry recommends that you have your chimney swept at the beginning and the end of the winter to avoid a build-up of tar and soot, which could damage the chimney and stove when not in use.

From a safety point of view, blocked chimneys can also cause deadly carbon monoxide and fires.

One sweep should only cost £65-100.

Use matured logs only, saves money and keeps your chimney cleaner.

Wet or unseasoned logs will leave more sooty deposits and could increase the number of sweeps you need, so it’s best to use seasoned or kiln-dried wood to cut down on maintenance (minimum 2 years old).

If you have a pellet stove, you will also need to have a yearly service, as the stove has electrical working parts. This can cost around £150-£250. It’s also a good idea to clean out the ash from the ash pan and to clean the glass regularly. Keep in mind though that leaving a layer of ash can help to start a wood fire and keep it burning longer and cheaper.

It’s best to check the manufacturer’s guide for specific instructions on how often to clean your stove. If your stove has a cool air vent that helps to stop tar building up on the glass, you may not need to clean the ash or glass as often. Some stoves also have special clean-burn or clean-heat technologies, which pull in extra air to help burn off more smoke, reducing sooty deposits.

Can we help?

For all your wood burning appliance needs please get in contact and one of our registered fitters will be happy to assist.

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The Time is Right

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Forward planning is a must if you want to install a new wood burner for the next winter.

Due to the popularity of wood stoves HETAS registered fitters are busier than ever!!

This is causing long waiting lists, so if you want a new heating machine fitted best act NOW.

Will they save you money??? The easy answer is YES.

Regular use of a wood burner can knock a third off fuel bills, providing savings of at least £500/700 a year. There is a huge range of stoves to choose from, ranging in price from £400 to more than £2,000. A key consideration is how much heat it will pump out.

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 per cent compared to an open fire and 80% compared to an old stove.

Efficiency and exceptionally good looking!

A modern wood burner is more efficient than many central heating systems and far more appealing to look at than a traditional white radiator.

The appeal is not just about installing a fashion statement. 

According to reports, regular use of a wood burner can knock a third off fuel bills, providing savings of at least £1000 a year.

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

Can we help?

If you are thinking of adding a wood burning stove to your home, please do make contact and one of our fully qualified (HETAS registered) fitters will be happy to assist.

 

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Affordable Heating

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Do you want a warmer home this coming winter?

If the answer is YES read on…..

A wood burning stove can be installed virtually anywhere in 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 heating a home with a wood burner very economic and practical.

Would you like more economical heating?

Wood is an inexpensive fuel source. It costs less per BTU than oil, gas, or electricity. Homeowners who practice strategic zone heating in their homes can save hundreds of ££’s in utility bills each year. With the promise that gas and electric prices are going to rise significantly in the coming months wood burning is looking as sound alternative.

Very fast quality 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. Fitted in a central position in your home you will be amazed how the rest of your house suddenly gets a whole lot warmer. In turn you will reduce any other heating bills you may have as the thermostat controlling your central heating remains off.

Are they good for the environment?

 Compared with using fossil fuels for heat (natural gas, propane, coal, etc.) wood is eco-friendlier. It’s considered “carbon-neutral,” which means when it burns, it doesn’t add additional carbon dioxide to the environment. This is because in its natural state as a tree, wood absorbs carbon dioxide that’s in the atmosphere. During combustion, a balance is maintained.

 Can we help?

If you would like assistance selecting and installing your new log burner, please get in touch and one of our qualified fitters will be happy to help.

 

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The Time Is Right !

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Thinking of installing a wood burner for next winter??

Well, due to the demand you will need to start your planning sooner rather than later. Hetas registered fitters up and down the country are reporting very full order books, thus longer waiting lists.

Economical heating to reduce those awful heating bills!!

Wood is an inexpensive fuel source. It costs less per BTU than oil, gas or electricity. Homeowners who practice strategic zone heating in their homes can save hundreds of ££’s on utility bills each year.

Quality heating and far more comfortable

The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the burner will give off. 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. 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.
Safety, Efficiency and added value.
A professionally fitted wood burning stove can save you hundreds on annual fuel bills but do make sure your new burner is suitable for your home. Many people tend to install without seeking professional advice, this is fine, but if you want to get total efficiency do seek advice from a qualified fitter (HETAS registered).
One thing is certain, if you have a stove fitted and you are selling your property the buyer is likely to want to see a certified certificate for the installation of the stove.
Can we help?
If you would like assistance selecting and installing a new log burner, please get in touch and one of our HETAS qualified fitters will be happy to help.

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Certified Stove Installation

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If you are looking to install a wood stove, please take note.
Only use a certified wood stove
To be sure a stove meets your needs, choose a HETAS 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.
Professional fitting is vital for safety and insurance.
HETAS approval
Poorly installed stoves do pose very real risks from carbon monoxide poisoning to house fires and smoke inhalation, all of which can have devastating and fatal consequences.
It is recommended to use a HETAS qualified fitter to install any wood burning appliance for safety and insurance purposes.
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 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 maker contact and one of our fully trained fitters will be pleased to guide you.