The wood burning stove revolution continues to increase.

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. Facts are energy costs can only go upwards with the weakened pound and the turmoil surrounding the world at present.

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

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?

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

Saving you money

Stoves save money. Regular use of a wood burner can knock a third off fuel bills, providing savings of at least £600/1,000 a year. There is a huge range of 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.

 

New environmental standards for particle emissions came into force in 2022 aimed at creating a cleaner atmosphere. 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 stove.

 

Sourcing your wood.

 

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.

First and foremost, you need to burn wood that is as dry as possible – it should only contain less than 20% moisture.

You can reduce the moisture content of freshly cut wood by drying it yourself, which 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.

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. You can buy dedicated wood stores to help with this.

Can we help?

Remember, compared to many heating forms, stoves save money. If you are thinking of installing a wood burning stove, please contact us and one of our fully qualified engineers will be happy to assist.

Wood burner benefits. Firstly, why would you want to install and use a stove in the first place?
There are plenty of benefits of using a wood stove for your residential heat.
The most obvious is the cleanliness of burning wood, which gives off less particulate matter and is a renewable resource, unlike gas-powered alternatives.
Another major benefit is the cost efficiency as wood can cost a great deal less than electricity and gas.
Not to mention a professionally installed stove can add value to your property.
– Cheaper form of heating compared to Oil and Electricity
– Good for the environment
– Can add value to your property.
– Great focal point in the home
– Heating through a power cut
Wood burning stoves can be used as additional cooking surfaces in your home, perfect for warm cocoa on cold winter days. Nothing is cosier than a hot stove after a day spent in the cold weather.
Installing a stove – very important
It is vital if you are installing a stove to have it fitted correctly by a professionally HETAS registered company. The qualified fitter will advise to the size of burner required to heat your room to maximum safety and efficiency.
Help required?
Finally are looking to install a new wood burning stove or discuss wood burner benefits? Please do make contact and one of our HETAS registered engineers will be happy to assist.

 

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.

Benefits of using a registered fitter

• Safety
• Easier to insure your property
• Peace of mind
• Total burner efficiency
• Long term support
• Qualified advice

Efficiency is vital, especially nowadays.

As lovely as open fires are they are not energy efficient and only give approximately 20% output. Wood burning stoves are much more efficient, at around 70-90%, so you get all the benefits of a real fire without most of your money going up the chimney!

Your chimney

The chimney may need to be lined before the wood burner can be installed.

Homes dating from the mid-1960s onwards should have had a concrete or clay chimney liner fitted when they were built but ask a qualified installer to check out the chimney, whatever the age of your home.

There are lots of benefits to having a chimney lined, including better energy efficiency.

Can we help?

If you would like advice concerning your new or existing wood stove, please make contact and one of our fully qualified fitters will be happy to assist.

Get the very best from your stove. Wood burning stove maintenance and cleaning mostly consists of regular removal of the ashes which also boosts the stove’s efficiency.

You should occasionally clean the internal surfaces with a wire brush or scraper and at the same time keep a close eye on potential problems such as holes in the ash pan, cracks, spots of rust on the finish and other unusual signs that may indicate damage.

It is also advisable to clean the glass on a regular basis because the longer you postpone the cleaning the harder is gets to remove the tar deposits.

Always leave your stove to cool completely before you carry out any maintenance or cleaning chores and make sure that the ash is completely cold before you dispose it.

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?

Finally, would you like to get the very best from your stove? If you require any assistance with your wood burner, please make contact and one of our qualified fitters will be happy to assist.