Wood burning stoves offer several benefits to homes, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. Lets take a look at some of the key advantages and disadvantages:
Cost-effective heating:
Wood is a renewable resource and can be significantly cheaper than traditional heating methods like gas or oil, especially if you have access to a local source of firewood. While the initial cost of the stove itself can be high, the long-term savings on fuel bills can be substantial. Fuel is paid for upfront, no surprise price hikes.
Environmentally friendly:
When sourced sustainably, wood is a carbon-neutral fuel source. While burning wood does release some emissions, these are generally offset by the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the tree as it grows. Additionally, wood burning stoves are much more efficient than open fireplaces, further reducing their environmental impact.
Are wood burners better than open fires:
A wood burning stove will offer better fuel efficiency and a longer burn time given the same amount of fuel, compared to an open fire, this is due to the controls a stove has to regulate the rate of burning.
Energy independence:
Unlike heating systems that rely on gas or electricity, wood burning stoves provide a reliable source of heat even during power outages. This can be a major advantage in areas prone to blackouts or for those who want more control over their heating source.
Improved ambience:
There’s something undeniably comforting and relaxing about the dancing flames and warm glow of a wood burning stove. It can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home, adding to its overall enjoyment.
However, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks before deciding if a wood burning stove is right for you:
- A wood burning stove requires regular cleaning and maintenance, including:
- Storing and moving logs, preparing kindling
- Chimney sweeping will be required once or twice a year, depending on usage. Your sweep will advise on frequency.
- Ash removal will be a weekly or daily task during the heating season depending upon usage, this can be messy.
Longer term costs:
These will include replacement bricks and door seals, and for those less careful users replacement door glass.
Air pollution:
While generally considered more environmentally friendly than other options, wood burning stoves can still contribute to air pollution, especially in urban areas. It’s important to choose an Ecodesign stove and burn only well-seasoned wood with a moisture content lower than 20% to minimise emissions.
Installation costs:
In addition to the cost of the stove itself, there are also higher installation costs compared to a Gas stove equivalent to consider.
Overall, wood burning stoves offer several benifits and can be a great way to heat your home. Offering cost savings, environmental benefits, and a touch of cosy charm to a home. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and ensure you meet all the necessary regulations before making a decision.
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Chimney sweeping is an essential part of owning and using a real fire or stove. A good chimney sweep is vital to keep your chimney and appliance clean and safe.
If you live locally to the shop, give us a call on 0208 663 3223 and we can arrange for a sweep to visit.
However, in times of cost cutting, the chimney sweep is often cut back on or forgotten about altogether. For years our houses were built without chimneys and the need for Chimney sweeping. However with more and more new properties being constructed with a class 1 chimney and more existing housing stock chimneys being brought back to use, the chimney sweep is once again in demand.
They are also now part of a very professionally regulated industry, so ensure yours has the necessary qualifications to carry out the work legally. If you are amongst the growing numbers who have a coal fire or wood burning stove in your home, it is in your interests to find yourself a local chimney sweep.
Fireplaces, openfires and stoves are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason: a fireplace will add character and a focal point to a room, and, if it is well-maintained, will be an excellent source of heat during the winter period. The benefits of having a real coal or wood fire in your house must be balanced by ensuring that your chimney functions both safely and efficiently.
Details of your local chimney sweep can be obtained from a number of different organisations;
HETAS
National Association of Chimney Sweeps
Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
These websites list details of competent sweeps in your area., along with advice on chimneys and fires.
How does a chimney work ?
As a fire burns in a fireplace, the air from the room is drawn through and across the fuel enabling combustion. As the fire burns, it releases numerous gases which being lighter than the surrounding air rise. These gases then evacuate to atmosphere via the chimney. As these gasses pass through your chimney they cool, a substance commonly referred to as soot then begins to accumulate on the walls. This includes a flammable substance called creosote. Over time, these deposits can begin to obstruct – and eventually completely block – the chimney.
Such obstructions will lead to an unsafe, chimney, and potential chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in the same room as your fire. A well-functioning chimney is necessary not only to allow potentially harmful gases to escape from the room, but also to ensure that a fire burns efficiently.
As hot air ascends in the chimney, the fire sucks in more air from the room through the grate, an open fire can change the air in a room as much as 12 times an hour. Without this continuous supply of air, the fire would either burn itself out, or draw its combustion air from the chimney, sucking in air via the chimney, instead of the room, this is known as down draught.
Can I clean my chimney myself?
It is possible to clean your chimney yourself, but we would not recommend it. Bear in mind, however, that this may well invalidate your house insurance in the event of a chimney fire.
How often should my chimney be cleaned?
At least once a year, depending upon the type fo fuel being burnt. Chimney sweeps will advise the frequency of cleaning required for your use, based on how much soot and deposits need removing. We would recommend having your chimney swept at the end of the heating season. This will enable to sweep to clean the despots before they have the down time of the summer months to harden.
If a chimney is used very often, it might be necessary to sweep it more often. A registered chimney sweep will be able to advise the optimum cleaning schedule for your chimney.
I have a gas fire do I need to have my chimney swept?
Yes, although less frequently. Blockages in chimneys connected to gas fires can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. A chimney sweep or your gas service engineer can advise how often your chimney ought to be swept.
Where to find a chimney sweep?
Word of mouth is how most people secure a tradesman, however with requirements for this type of work to be carried out by a registered competent person, the best means is to check with the registering bodies websites. Check that the sweep is registered to carry out the work, and will be able to provide you with the correct certificate after a Chimney sweeping has been done. Chimney sweeps can be found via HETAS, National Association of Chimney Sweeps, or Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps websites. All members of the registered bodies are fully qualified to carry out a sweep, have full public liability insurance and issue certificates on completion of their work. All of these professional bodies have trained, assessed members to ensure that you as a customer receive the best service available.
Is it Expensive to have a chimney swept ?
The cost of Chimney sweeping depends upon where you live and how much work there is to do. Prices will be based on each chimney requiring a sweep, difficult to access chimneys may incur additional costs. Your sweep will do a survey before providing an estimate/quote for the work. As a rough guide, you should expect to pay something in the region of £50 – £70 per chimney. If you live locally to the shop, give us a call on 0208 663 3223 and we can arrange for a sweep to visit.
Chimney Tips
- Only burn hard woods DO NOT burn soft woods. Hard woods do not contain as much moisture so burn slower, they also make the fire burn hotter. Provided the wood is seasoned this reduces the amount of creosote deposited inside the chimney, helping to keep your chimney cleaner for longer. Reducing the amount of this flammable substance inside your chimney also has considerable safety benefits.
- Do not use artificial logs containing paraffin or petroleum additives.
- Ensure you stove is burning at maximum output for about 60% of the time in use.
- Open all the stoves air controls before refuelling.
- Purchase a good guard for your fireplace.
- Ensure the air vents in the room are not blocked.
- Make sure your Carbon Monoxide Detector is sited correctly and in date.
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