A 5kw stove is probably to most wanted or required size of stove people go for when looking for a new heat source in their home.
For us the best value and best burning stove is the Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem. It is easy to light, quickly gets up to temperature and is very controllable.
Do you agree with us? What stove do you have and what do you think is its best feature.
UK fire statistics show that each year on average over 30 thousands houses have chimney fires. This will be largely due to not getting the chimney swept often enough or burning fuel that is inappropriate for the appliance and causing tar to build up in the chimney.
Most insurance companies will no longer pay out for claims made due to chimney fires unless the chimney has been swept by a professional chimney sweep and a valid certificate of sweeping issued that is recognised by insurance companies. If the fire brigade is called out to a chimney fire and it is proven that the chimney has not been properly maintained, then the local council can bill you for the call out, which can be expensive!
Chimney fires can not only destroy homes but also endanger the occupiers of the dwelling.
Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have enough fuel to be as dramatic or visible as their more spectacular cousins. The temperatures they reach are very high and can cause damage to the chimney structure and nearby combustible parts of the house. Use only recommended fuels for your appliance and flue type (if you are unsure check your manufactures instructions, ask your stove supplier, or a NACS Chimney Sweep).
Chimneys need to allow the free passage of dangerous combustion gases. Regular sweeping will remove soot, bird nests, cobwebs and any other blockages. It also removes creosote, which will help to prevent dangerous chimney fires. Chimney Sweeping will also help to increase the efficiency of appliances. The frequency of Chimney Sweeping will depend on a number of factors which include the type of fuel used, appliance, duration of use, moisture content of wood fuel, and the type of chimney you have. Your local NACS Chimney Sweep will be able to advise on the sweeping frequency during the appointment. The sweeping frequencies below are for guidance purposes only:-
NACS Chimney Sweeps are very mindful and conscious of making as little mess as possible, and are in fact trained in the prevention of dust escaping during sweeping. Normally Chimney Sweeps will need a clear passage to the chimney and adequate space to work in. They may suggest you clear any ornaments from the hearth and mantelpiece, and perhaps you could clear the grate of any fuel, ash or rubbish etc before the sweep arrives.
Gas and oil flues will also need to be swept. It is essential that all flues are kept clean and clear of debris and vermin nests. It will also help with the prevention of chimney fires and even carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have just moved house, then it is important you have your chimney swept as soon as possible as you may not necessarily know when it was last cleaned properly by a professional Chimney Sweep. Always ensure you receive a NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping. Your Chimney Sweep will also provide advice on your Chimney, heating appliances, what fuels to use, and the best practice for fuel storage.
Chimney Sweeps that are Members of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) undertake an extensive training program and have to successfully complete a full assessment prior to becoming and trading as a NACS Member. All NACS Members must hold valid insurance for Chimney Sweeping, of which they provide a copy of to the Association on an annual basis. They must also have the correct equipment to be able to undertake the job which is checked at the time of their assessment. You can search for a NACS Chimney Sweep in your area by visiting the NACS website www.nacs.org.uk.
NACS Chimney Sweeps are:
NACS Members are dedicated to Protecting the Consumer
Fire chiefs are urging Oxfordshire residents with thatched roofs to get their chimneys swept and checked to reduce the risk of a blaze.
More than 90 per cent of thatched roof fires start because of a faulty chimney or one that has not been swept recently.
The fire service’s home and community safety manager Stuart Garner said: “I would like to encourage anyone who has a thatched property to get their chimney swept and inspected on a regular basis.
“Without proper maintenance a chimney can become dangerous and a potential source of a far more serious fire.”
There are many ways to keep your home pleasantly warm during the cold winter months. So why choose wood burning stoves? Here is why:
Cost efficiency. With the prices of electricity, gas and oil rising sky high, heating our homes has become an expensive venture. New technologies such as photovoltaic cells and heat pumps cut those expensive heating bills, however, they require a huge investment which pays off only in two to three decades. Wood burning stoves are a lot less expensive to buy than the new technologies, while wood fuel is very cheap in comparison to electricity, gas and oil. A kilowatt of heat per hour costs about one fifth of kWh of electricity and about one third of kWh of oil and gas.
Choosing a wood burning stove isn’t an easy job. There are many things to consider before making the final decision and the material from which the stove is made is one them. Fortunately, there are only two materials to choose from – steel and cast iron. But which one is best?
If you ask wood burning stove owners which is not a bad idea considering that users have no reasons to exaggerate, you will get very mixed responses. Those who are happy with their stove will tell you to choose the one they have, while those who aren’t as satisfied will recommend you to choose the other version. In reality, however, it doesn’t matter which one you choose in terms of durability and performance. Of course under condition that you choose either a high quality steel or cast iron wood burning stove. Let’s see why.
Wood-burning stoves are the latest must have home feature, with high demand meaning some even having a three-month waiting list.
But can splashing out £1,500 on a woodburner really save you money on energy bills?
Or are you just treating yourself to a fashion accessory that’s cool to look at and warm to sit by but pricey to keep running? Here we take a closer look.
Winter warmer: Woodburning stoves are the latest home must have, but can they save you money?
The carbon footprint is already down. Wood is the Alpha-Material. Being the only 100% renewable material grown by solar power, needing very little or no irrigation, needing generally no pesticides or herbicides to grow and requiring very little disturbance of the soil over the growth cycle of the tree, it is one of the most sustainable materials. 49% of wood dries as sequestered carbon. Until it is burned or totally decomposes, the carbon is held in the wood. No other material can tell this amazing environmental story.
Like all fuels, wood is essentially carbon. Burning it emits carbon dioxide, and growing it absorbs carbon dioxide. A new tree absorbs the carbon dioxide emitted by burning an old tree. But there is a time delay of around 25 years. This is nothing compared with fossil fuels, but may be significant in the current global climate change situation. Therefore wood is not considered carbon neutral, but since trees are planted or coppice continues to grow you would only get ‘charged’ for half the emissions produced by burning it. To keep the carbon footprint down make sure your logs are sourced from local woodlands.
