Month: August 2019

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 20192:51 pm

Five common mistakes when looking to buy a wood-burning stove

The idea of buying and installing a wood-burning stove is often romantic, seems relatively easy and straightforward. In reality there are a number of issues to consider before choosing the most appropriate stove other than cost. So, what are the most common mistakes made when looking to buy a wood-burning stove?

False economy

There is a saying “buy cheap, buy twice” which is very apt when buying a wood-burning stove. Very often first-time buyers are tempted to look towards the cheaper end of the market. That is not to say there are not some exceptional quality stoves at the lower end but there are also some which are not necessarily built to last.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 201912:57 pm

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

As the number of wood-burning and multifuel stoves continues to grow in the UK, it is worth knowing the five must have items for stove owners. While some of these items may seem decorative, they are still essential when considering your safety. So, what would you have as your top five items?

Carbon monoxide alarm

Carbon monoxide is not known as the “silent killer” for no reason. It is now illegal to install a stove without a carbon monoxide alarm such is their importance to safety. In this instance we are talking about carbon monoxide alarms in relation to wood-burning, and multifuel, stoves but they also prove useful for other appliances such as faulty gas boilers. How do they work?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 29, 20199:35 am

Five ways to keep your stove glass as clean as possible

For those with a wood-burning stove one of the main attractions is the ability to watch the flickering flames and the burning embers. There is nothing quite like the relaxing image of a glowing wood-burning stove and the slow burning deep heat which fills the room. However, to get the best out of your wood-burning stove you need to ensure that your stove glass is clear at all times.

Here are some interesting and in some ways innovative ways in which you can keep your stove glass as clean as possible. However, remember, never use abrasive materials/products on your stove glass and always clean with gentle circular motions.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 22, 20191:36 pm

Why are Ecodesign stoves so important?

If you have looked into the stove industry of late you will no doubt have come across the subject of Ecodesign and Ecodesign ready stoves. This is an EU program to reduce emissions and allow consumers to recognise eco-friendly/highly efficient stoves at a glance. In the UK the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) is pushing for all future stoves to be Ecodesign compliant as a means of protecting the industry going forward. The SIA has also released a new logo to recognise Ecodesign compliant stoves.

What difference will Ecodesign stoves make?

Well, the first thing to say is that particle matter emissions from Ecodesign stoves will be 55% lower than their DEFRA equivalent. If you recall, DEFRA was the leading light regarding more eco-friendly stoves in the UK so this is a significant development. The ability to reduce particle matter emissions to such an extent will help combat health issues such as asthma going forward.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 22, 201911:24 am

The impact of a wood-burning stove on heating bills

As you will expect, we are asked many questions by customers looking to buy wood-burning stoves which of course we welcome. One of the most popular questions relates to how using a wood-burning stove might impact a customer’s heating bills. In reality, the impact that a woodburner may have on your heating bills will depend upon a variety of different issues.

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust is a well-respected body which has access to in-depth information regarding energy use across the UK. The simple advice from this body is that installing a wood-burning stove can reduce your energy bills by 10%. The situation will vary from customer to customer, from area to area with a lot of emphasis on how the machine is used.

Firewood and Fuel Tips by CarolAug 16, 20192:50 pm

What are the benefits of hardwood over softwood?

In this article we will compare and contrast the benefits of using hardwood over softwood on your stove. However, before we start with the article it is worth noting that some softwood does go against the rule of thumb and may compare favourably to their hardwood counterparts.

Storage space

You have probably never thought of this but when you buy wood for your stove you will likely buy it by the weight, usually the ton. As hardwood is denser than softwood it is heavier therefore takes up less storage space. This may seem like a fairly weak argument to some people but if you have limited storage space it is certainly something to consider. This reminds me of the old adage, what is heaviest, a ton of wood or a ton of feathers?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 16, 20191:58 pm

Is the stove industry doing enough to combat climate change?

Investing in a moisture meter could save you hundreds of pounds

For less than £25 you can buy a good quality moisture meter which will quite literally tell you the level of moisture in any material. In this instance it is worth its weight in gold when measuring moisture in wood for your stove. So, how could this relatively cheap item save you hundreds of pounds?

Wet and dry wood

Some people are under the misapprehension that you can literally burn anything on your wood-burning stove and it will work fine. This is especially relevant when discussing wet and dry wood and the heat value. While it is fairly obvious that dry wood will burn better than wet wood, do you know why this is the case?

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 15, 201912:21 am

How to avoid smoke seeping into your room from your stove

The process of burning fuel on a wood-burning/multifuel stove has remained constant for many years. Yes, we have seen tweaks with the technology, additional services added but the idea of setting the fuel alight, letting the gases escape through the flue and enjoying the deep seated heat have not change. One issue that you will likely come across at some point is that of smoke seeping back into your room once you have fired up your stove.

Why would smoke seep back into the room?

There are a number of reasons why smoke may seep back into the room from your stove. These include:-

•   Pocket of air stuck in the flue (most common)
•   Strong winds
•   Poor draw
•   Lack of ventilation
•   Exposed location

We will take a look at the issues associated with a pocket of air stuck in the flue, what this will cause and how to avoid it.

Stove Advice & Maintenance by CarolAug 14, 201911:48 pm

Ensure that your wood-burning/multifuel stove is legal

There is a general misconception that wood-burning/multifuel stoves are a new phenomenon. In reality they have been used for hundreds of years and been popular in homes across the UK for a number of decades now. True, the design and the look of the modern day stove has been developed as have the regulations which company the installation and use of a wood-burning/multifuel stove. It is therefore very important that you stay on the right side of the law when installing and using your stove.

Building regulations, document J

Whether you install a stove yourself (not advised) or have it installed by a qualified installer (HETAS engineer) the installation will need to comply with document J of the building regulations. These are regulations which are managed by the local authorities although your stove can be signed-off by a HETAS engineer. If the installation was not carried out by a qualified engineer then it must be signed off by a member of the building department of your local authority.