Month: April 2018

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Is it time for a stove scrappage scheme?

Eight tips to maximise wood burning stove efficiency

If you asked individual wood-burning stove users how they maximise the efficiency of their stove you will likely get an array of different tips and advice. The truth is there are very simple ways in which you can maximise the efficiency of any wood-burning stove and reduce emissions. As the cost of energy continues to rise and emission regulations tighten it is extremely important to maximise the efficiency of your machine. We have listed eight tips below which you should follow to get the best out of your wood-burning stove:

Aim for 20% moisture content in wood fuel

Whether you are drying your own wood or buying in wood fuel it is vital that the moisture content is no more than 20%. This is the limit at which your wood will burn to maximum efficiency as well as eliminating the creation of potentially dangerous and damaging tar-like material. It also ensures that the missions from your wood-burning stove are kept as low as possible therefore having limited impact on the environment.

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Benefits of hardwood over softwood?

Types of fuel for your multifuel stove and wood-burning stove

When looking to acquire a stove you will need to consider the types of fuel available to you locally at an affordable price. While there is some overlap between the types of fuel used with a multifuel stove and a wood-burning stove, there are also some differences. As the name suggests, a multifuel stove will accommodate an array of different fuel types while a wood-burning stove simply burns wood.

Wood fuels

Without going into too much detail, there are many different types of wood available in the UK which can be used with a wood-burning stove. Some of the more popular types include ash, oak, beech, cedar, hawthorn, blackthorn, maple, rowan, apple and pear. They all have different heat ratings, different burn rates and it is worth looking into these further.

Solid fuels

While wood is classed as a solid fuel, and a perfectly acceptable fuel for a multifuel stove, these type of stoves also accommodate other fuels. In simple terms, multifuel stoves work best with high calorific value fuel which give a greater level of heat when burned. This includes fuels such as:-

•    Manufactured coal
•    Smokeless fuels
•    Anthracite

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Are wood stoves safe?

Why do people buy wood-burning stoves?

Wood-burning stove sales in the UK now top 170,000 per annum and there is no doubt the trend towards wood-burning, and multifuel, stoves is gathering pace. With more and more people contemplating the purchase of a wood-burning stove, it is interesting to ask the question, why do people buy wood-burning stoves?

Cost benefits

For many people the cost benefits of a wood-burning stove are not the main purchase driver. The potential cost savings will depend upon the way in which the stove is utilised and the cost of wood fuel. Those with natural supplies of wood on their doorstep will obviously have the greatest potential for cost savings although the long-term benefits are there for all to see. So, if cost benefits are not the major pulling power towards wood-burning stoves, what are?

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Broseley Hotspur 5 woodburning stove

Facts and figures regarding UK stoves and carbon reduction

A report by the Stove Industry Alliance has cast a very interesting light on the UK stove industry offering a greater insight into the potential to reduce carbon emissions and encourage sustainable energy sources. There are some very interesting facts and figures regarding the UK stove industry which include:

UK government’s carbon reduction targets

Official estimates suggest that wood-burning stoves could actually account for around 10% of the UK government’s carbon reduction targets by 2020. This ties in perfectly with the government’s aim to fulfil 25% of domestic heat energy requirements via renewable sources by 2020. While current sales of wood-burning stoves are running at around 175,000 units per annum, with more than 1 million homes already using wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, there is still scope for further growth.

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DEFRA approved stoves are very popular

Why the political witch hunt against wood-burning stoves is fatally flawed

Over the last few months we have seen a political witch hunt against wood-burning stoves, by politicians in England and Scotland. Amid vague talk regarding concerns about the 1993 Clean Air Act, this seems to be a political will to tighten regulations surrounding wood-burning stoves and the smoke which they release. On the surface, concerns about the release of microscopic particles into the atmosphere seems fair, suggestions that the illnesses such as asthma are increasing seems justified, but what happens when you begin to dig under the surface?

Ignoring new technology

Even the most ardent of critics acknowledge that the increase in popularity of wood-burning stoves over the last few years has not led to an increase in air pollution rates. In fact, some reports suggest that pollution blamed on the use of wood-burning stoves is actually falling. When you bear in mind that a well-structured and well manufactured wood-burning stove, with a cast-iron body, can last decades, is it fair to consider stoves housing the latest combustion technology against those of years gone by?