Month: July 2017

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 31, 201712:01 am

Five simple ways to maximise the efficiency of your wood-burning stove

The wood-burning stove we see today is very different to that of 10 years ago and almost unrecognisable from those on the market 20 years ago. There have been some monumental changes in the wood-burning stove industry and new technology is now coming to the fore. However, there are still some simple ways in which you can maximise heat output and ensure as little energy as possible is wasted.

Only burn seasoned wood

Only seasoned wood with a moisture reading of less than 20% should be used with your wood-burning stove. It may be tempting to use cheaper more moist fuel but not only will this reduce the output from your stove but it can also create a tar-like material which can impact the flue and the stove itself. You might think you are saving money by getting substandard wood but you will eventually pay the price. Those who live in the countryside may have the option to acquire what is known as “green wood” and season this over a prolonged period of time but others may be forced to buy pre-seasoned wood.

Promotions by CarolJul 27, 201712:18 pm

Process of replacing broken stove door glass

Bowland Stoves money-off vouchers towards your next purchase

We believe we are one of the most competitive stove companies on the market and pride ourselves on our customer service record. As a means of rewarding our loyal customers we recently introduced a money-off voucher scheme when you spend a minimum of £200. There is no minimum order value when redeeming your vouchers so whether you need a relatively cheap spare part or you are looking to change your stove, you can use your money-off voucher whenever you like.

Details of our money-off vouchers

All money-off vouchers are valid until 31st January 2018 and you will receive a physical money-off voucher when your order is delivered. Each money-off voucher will contain a unique voucher number which you simply use when you checkout with your online order or quote this number if purchasing over the telephone. There is a sliding scale whereby the more you spend the larger the money-off voucher:-

Spare Parts & Accessories by CarolJul 27, 201712:01 am

Five interesting accessories for wood-burning stove enthusiast

You have bought the stove, you have your wood supply to hand and this new style of heat is deep-seated and extremely welcome. However, are you making the most of your wood-burning stove? Are you making life as simple as possible when collecting fuel? There are some interesting accessories for the modern day wood-burning stove enthusiast to consider.

Log carriers and log baskets

Whether you are carrying logs in from nearby or you are venturing into the woods to find natural fuel you will need to consider a log carrier and a log basket. There are many different types of log carrier and log basket made from different materials and different styles. One of the more popular types has to be the wicker basket which doubles up as a log carrier and a stylish log basket.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by PeterJul 25, 20178:59 am

10 reasons why you should burn wood

The modern day form of heating is an electric fire, but why not go for the traditional, old fashioned wood burning? It provides you with some amazing benefits to you and your bank account. Here are the top ten reasons as to why you should burn wood as an alternative to oil and fuel burners.

1. Renewable energy source

Wood is a natural resource which is naturally grown, so you do not run out of it. You can honestly say that you can never run out of wood to keep you warm and cosy on those chilly nights.

2. There is no global warming

When you are using oil, petrol or some sort of processed fuel for your fire the carbon dioxide emissions pollute the air which is obviously not beneficial for the environment. Naturally burning a renewable source grown from the earth itself will not pollute the earth.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 24, 201712:01 am

Five must have items if you own a wood-burning stove

The environment and wood-burning stoves

As wood-burning stoves continue to become more popular across the UK there have been a number of misleading articles in the press regarding their pros and cons. There have even been insinuations that wood-burning stoves create dangerous gases above and beyond those created by traditional heating methods. We thought it worthwhile putting these issues to bed with regards to the environment, wood-burning stoves and the real situation.

Before we start

Before we start there is one thing to bear in mind, the use of a wood-burning stove takes in the quest for fuel, the actual burning and the emissions into the atmosphere. These are done before your very eyes whereas when looking at alternative fuel sources such as electric and gas the majority of the environmental damage is done prior to “receipt” of these fuels in your home. This is the element which we don’t see, which is often ignored and not taken into account when comparing and contrasting wood-burning stoves against other heating methods.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 20, 201712:01 am

Save a fortune seasoning your own wood

We all know about the potential cost savings and benefits to the environmental associated with the modern day wood-burning stove. There has been significant press coverage about the pros and cons of wood-burning stoves and while we all have our own idea of how to use them, how many of us are actually maximising our time and the efficiency of our stoves?

When looking at any machine it is worth considering where efficiencies and cost savings can the made with regards to the type of fuel used. In this instance we will take a look at how you can acquire the cheapest good quality wood fuel and the drying out process.

Seasoning your own wood

Even though it is possible to save money in the longer term by buying in seasoned wood for your wood-burning stove, there are even greater cost savings if you can season the wood yourself. It is essential that the wood is properly seasoned before use so you can get the best burn and the greatest heat. There are three main stages of seasoning your own wood which include:-

Stove Advice & Maintenance by PeterJul 18, 20178:57 am

The history of wood burning stoves

Wood burning has been around for thousands of years as it was the only form of heat source that was available to keep warm and cook food. No electricity for them unfortunately. This blog will be dedicated to the history of wood burning and the invention of the wood burning stove.

When did it start?

In the 16th Century, fire burning changed from a standard fire place to venting it through a chimney (which is where the chimney sweepers came in to play). But before that, the earliest fireplace that is known and recorded was back in 3600 BC in Malta.

Spare Parts & Accessories by CarolJul 17, 201712:01 am

Why you should regularly check the condition of your stove fire bricks

As you can imagine, the intense heat created by the modern day wood-burning and multifuel stove can in the long-term impact certain components such as fire bricks. It is therefore essential that fire bricks are checked on a regular basis to ensure there is no damage, no cracks and they are in full working order. You will find that many stove manufacturers class firebricks as “consumables” therefore they may not covered by the standard warranty. This is because of the general wear and tear they will experience over the years – although they will not need replaced too regularly, it is worth monitoring their condition.

If you would like to contact us directly feel free to call on 01706 813393 or email us at sales@bowlandstoves.co.uk

Types of stove fire brick

While the heat reflective vermiculite firebricks/panels are the most commonplace today because of their cost and their performance, they are just one of three types of fire brick. There is also the traditional clay firebrick as well as steel/cast-iron fire “cheeks” which are still commonplace today but not as popular as vermiculite. The main reason for firebricks is to ensure that as much of the heat created is contained within the stove to be circulated in a controlled manner. The firebricks also ensure that the outer casing is not subjected to prolonged and excessive heat which could cause cracking and warping.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolJul 13, 201711:15 am

Wood-burning stoves helping government to reach carbon reduction targets

A review by the Stove Industry Alliance has cast a very interesting light on the UK carbon reduction and renewable heat energy markets. While some people see wood-burning stoves as novelty items the reality is that they do positively impact carbon reduction and renewable heat energy targets. At this moment in time it is believed that wood-burning stoves account for some 10% of the UK’s carbon reduction targets which need to be hit by 2020. If the forecasts are correct then this could increase to around 25% by 2020 which would be a phenomenal figure.

Growing popularity of wood-burning stoves

It is no surprise to learn that wood-burning stoves have become extremely popular over the last decade with figures suggesting that more than 1 million homes in the UK currently use a wood-burning stove. Annual sales are in the region of 175,000 units and we only need to look at the stove spare parts market to see how popular that has become. If there are more than 1 million homes currently using a wood-burning stove and around 175,000 units sold per year, this figure could increase dramatically in a relatively short space of time.

Gas and Electric Stoves by CarolJul 6, 20174:28 pm

The beauty of a log effect gas fire

There has been a growing trend over the last few years as more people switch onto the gas fire market which has changed dramatically. Whether you are looking for an inset gas fire, chair fireplace gas fire or the stand-alone gas fires which are available today, there is something for every occasion and every room. So, what do you get with a modern day log effect gas fire?

Heat

At first glance log effect gas fires can look very similar to log effect electric fires which are in themselves proving to be very popular. The main difference is the heat output which is minimal with electric fires but can be anywhere up to 7 kW plus with a log effect gas fire. So, not only do you get the look and feel of a log effect fire, with the flickering flames and burning embers, your room is actually heated. Even the relatively small gas fires create enough heat to take the chill off any room.