Wood Burning Stoves: A Beginners Guide
Winter is well and truly here, and you might have resolved that things have to change. There are a number of steps you can take to make your home nice and warm and toasty for the dark and cold days of winter, and one of the very best things that you can consider getting is a wood burning stove. These heating solutions provide warmth, comfort, and can add bags and bags of character to any room they’re placed in, and can save you money on your heating bills as well.
You’re probably more than familiar with the pros to getting a wood burning stove, as well as the cons – and after weighing up your options, you’ve more than likely decided to get one. (after all, why not! They’re a much better solution than conventional gas or electric heating.) There are a few things to consider when it comes to making sure that a wood burning stove is the right choice for you, and we’ve prepared a small list to help you avoid experiencing buyer’s remorse.
Initially, you’ll want to think of what sort of wood you’re going to burn. Even old hands with wood burning stoves can make mistakes, and a recent survey by Which determined that most wood burning stove owners are making the mistake of buying wood which isn’t the most efficient.
Whatever wood you decide upon, you’ll need a good supply. Have a little search for wood stockists close to you, in order to ensure that you’ll always have a good supply.
Make sure that you’re not in a smoke controlled area. Urban areas on the UK are classed as smoke free areas, which means that you need certain types of stoves in order to burn wood. These stoves are known as DEFRA approved. Should you find a great deal on a non-DEFRA approved stove, don’t think that you have to pass up the perfect bargain in order to get one that fits regulations. There are kits which can be sold in order to make all stoves (within reason!) fit regulation and pass muster.
Make sure you’re aware of the maintenance. While wood burning stoves and multifuel stoves are indeed worthwhile investments (and in our minds leaps and bounds ahead of conventional gas boilers or electricity for that matter) there are a few things that you’ll have to do in order to keep the process safe. One of which is regular chimney sweeps.
As wood burns, the smoke, particles, and other nastiness is expelled through the chimney. Over time this builds up and blockages can be fatal in the form of fires starting in the chimney amongst the clogged debris. Of course, this is in exceptionally bad cases. Two sweeps per year will keep your chimney tidy, clean, and shipshape for very happy heating indeed.
You’re probably more than familiar with the pros to getting a wood burning stove, as well as the cons – and after weighing up your options, you’ve more than likely decided to get one. (after all, why not! They’re a much better solution than conventional gas or electric heating.) There are a few things to consider when it comes to making sure that a wood burning stove is the right choice for you, and we’ve prepared a small list to help you avoid experiencing buyer’s remorse.
Initially, you’ll want to think of what sort of wood you’re going to burn. Even old hands with wood burning stoves can make mistakes, and a recent survey by Which determined that most wood burning stove owners are making the mistake of buying wood which isn’t the most efficient.
Whatever wood you decide upon, you’ll need a good supply. Have a little search for wood stockists close to you, in order to ensure that you’ll always have a good supply.
Make sure that you’re not in a smoke controlled area. Urban areas on the UK are classed as smoke free areas, which means that you need certain types of stoves in order to burn wood. These stoves are known as DEFRA approved. Should you find a great deal on a non-DEFRA approved stove, don’t think that you have to pass up the perfect bargain in order to get one that fits regulations. There are kits which can be sold in order to make all stoves (within reason!) fit regulation and pass muster.
Make sure you’re aware of the maintenance. While wood burning stoves and multifuel stoves are indeed worthwhile investments (and in our minds leaps and bounds ahead of conventional gas boilers or electricity for that matter) there are a few things that you’ll have to do in order to keep the process safe. One of which is regular chimney sweeps.
As wood burns, the smoke, particles, and other nastiness is expelled through the chimney. Over time this builds up and blockages can be fatal in the form of fires starting in the chimney amongst the clogged debris. Of course, this is in exceptionally bad cases. Two sweeps per year will keep your chimney tidy, clean, and shipshape for very happy heating indeed.
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