Is it time to install a wood burning stove in your home?
October and November saw the highest ever recorded sales figures. Sales of log burning stoves have been strong over the last two years but the run up to Christmas surpassed all expectations. It is little surprise that this is happening as heating bills continue to rise in real terms month on month. Economists are also predicting a sharp rise in heating fuel costs due to the weaker pound which is not helped with all the current political turmoil.
Benefits
- They are relatively cheap to run – even if you have to buy firewood.
- Wood is renewable and sustainable – and the UK has good areas of forestry.
- Burning wood from sustainable forests is carbon neutral – while trees are growing, they capture carbon dioxide from the air. This carbon dioxide is released either when the wood is burnt, or when the tree dies and rots. While some emissions are produced in the transporting and processing of the wood, this is only a very small amount per unit of heat produced.
- Wood burners work during power cuts – many free-standing models can be used for cooking as well as heating.
- Some wood burners can be equipped with a wetback system to heat water – check with your supplier about this option.
Always use the correct wood
Use the right wood at the right time – lighter wood (often called ‘softwood’) like pine is good for making kindling and getting a fire started. Once you have a good bed of coals burning, denser wood (hardwood) will burn for longer and give more heat.
Essential
Quality installation is fundamental to your wood burner’s performance and safety. We recommend that you have your wood burner installed by a certified fitter (HETAS registered).
