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Domestic Wood Burning Stoves are NOT Being Banned

Wood burning stove

Contrary to some recent national media coverage, the announcement last month by DEFRA to phase out the sale of coal and wet wood for domestic burning does NOT mean that wood burning stoves are being banned or discouraged by the government.  It is not the end of the roaring hearth or cosy fireplace as many headlines stated – it simply means people will need to use cleaner fuel alternatives such as dry wood for their stoves at home.

Defra Announcement on Polluting Fuels

Defra announced on 21st February 2020 that sales of bagged and pre-packaged traditional house coal and wet wood in units under 2M3 will be phased out by 2021. The sale of loose coal direct to customers via approved coal merchants will also be banned by February 2023, meaning members of the public will need to switch to cleaner fuels by these dates.

There will also be limitations on the sale of manufactured solid fuels for domestic fires by February 2021 – fuels with a low sulphur content which emit a small amount of smoke will still be allowed.

Defra said in a statement ‘this phased implementation will ensure that public and suppliers have time to move to cleaner alternatives such as dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, while continuing to be able to use their stoves and open fires at home.’

Environment Secretary George Eustice also commented ‘Cosy open fires and wood-burning stoves are at the heart of many homes up and down the country, but the use of certain fuels means that they are also the biggest source of the most harmful pollutant that is affecting people in the UK. By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people.’

You Can Still Use Dry Wood

Most domestic stoves and fires can use dry wood as their fuel and will therefore not be affected.  Coal and wet wood are being banned as they are the two most polluting fuels, contributing to around 40% of harmful levels of the pollutant PM2.5 in the UK. These announcement form part of the government’s Clean Air Strategy which aims to tackle a range of pollutants including PM2.5, ammonia and sulphur dioxide in the UK.

The advantage of dry wood – both kiln and air dried – is that it is cheaper and more efficient to burn than wet wood and coal and therefore people who rely on stoves for heat will not see their fuel costs rise.

The Stove Industry Welcomes the Regulations

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) has welcomed the government’s announcement and emphasised in a press release that modern Ecodesign compliant stoves burning the correct fuels continue to be a sound, environmental heating solution. Ecodesign ready stoves produce 90% less emissions than an open fire and use a completely renewable and sustainable fuel.

The SIA encourages the public to burn approved dry wood and smokeless fuel in a modern Ecodesign ready appliance. These fuels are widely available and if you’re unsure whether your appliance is Ecodesign ready, speak to us for advice.

Wood Burning Stoves are NOT Being Banned

DEFRA’s announcement does not in any way suggest that wood burning stoves are being banned.  The Stove Industry Alliance has called for more accurate reporting on this story as the industry employs over 25,000 people and their livelihoods are being put at risk by misreporting.

Morley Sage, chair of the SIA, commented: “We welcome today’s announcement that will see the most polluting fuels phased out and encourage homeowners to use approved dry wood. As an industry that employs over 25,000 people across manufacturing, retailing, installation and servicing, headlines that suggest that wood burning stoves are being banned are not only categorically untrue, they are also very damaging to people’s jobs and livelihoods.

Contact Us for Advice

If you want any advice on this announcement or want to know more about Ecodesign ready stoves, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be happy to chat to you.

More from our blog

The ultimate guide to wood burning stoves – everything you need to know

The advantages of gas fireplaces

 

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Gas Fireplace – Advantages

gas fire

Fireplaces are an incredibly popular feature in people’s homes. They give a great sense of focus to a room, and a cosy heat in the colder weather. Whilst fireplaces might first make you think of ‘real’ fires, gas fires offer a host of benefits to those who can’t, or choose not to have a wood or coal burning option.

Efficient

We are increasingly aware of our energy use. Using gas can actually be an incredibly efficient and therefore cost-effective way to heat, and may even reduce heating bills. Modern models require very few kilowatts of energy to rapidly warm a room, and glass fronted options can be up to 90% fuel efficient. Of course, there is also the fact that you can just heat the room you are in and not the whole house. In addition to all this, gas fires are usually pretty easy and inexpensive to install.

Style

Whether you are seeking a traditional look fire or a modern wall mounted unit, gas fires cover a full range of stylistic options for all tastes. It’s not the 80s any more. Today’s gas fires are many and varied, and tasteful!

Available and flexible

Gas fires do require some kind of vent, but not a chimney and for this reason, most homes can accommodate one. There are a vast range of options on the market, and the right gas fire for you will depend on the set up you have at home – the type of flue or chimney you do or don’t have – but a reputable supplier will be able to advise you on all this.

 Easy to manage

For many, gas fires offer an easy to manage heating and comfort fire source without the hassle of buying, storing and cleaning up after wood or coal. For those who want to just turn it on and off, this can be a great option.

Real flames

Unlike their electric counterparts, gas fires do provide the comfort of a real flame. If a real fire is not for you, or not available to you, but you still want to bathe in the comfort of a steady yellow, orange flame then the gas fire is a good alternative.

Over the last few decades, the technology behind gas fires has seen some significant developments. They now offer an incredibly safe, easy to use, stylish option for your home. They also offer great efficiency. Just ensure you take some expert advice from our team to ensure you have the right kind and size of fire for your rooms and requirements. Our trained engineers are happy to answer any questions you may have about gas fire installation in Surrey.

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What wood would be best?

It’s definitely the time of year to enjoy the wonderful warming atmosphere of a fire. It’s so satisfying and comforting. But have you ever found that sometimes your wood burning stove seems to burn better or worse than others? If so, it could be down to the wood you use. Here are some top tips on what sort of wood to use and how to store it to get the best and most efficient results from your fire.

Use seasoned wood

This is one of the most important considerations. Seasoned means wood that has been left to dry.  It should have a moisture content of no more than 20% for the best results. Using full-seasoned wood will ensure it burns better, for longer, providing greater heat and less smoke. It will also have a lower carbon footprint. You can either store and season it at home, or find a local provider who has seasoned it for you. It takes 1-2 years for wood to be properly seasoned. Drier wood is lighter and any bark on it will peel away more easily.

Hard vs Soft

There are plenty of opinions on the best types of wood to burn and you can read for hours on the merits of different sources. In general, hardwoods are reputed to be better for wood burning stoves. They are slow growing and therefore denser, which leads to a longer burn and better heat provision. Ash is often cited as the best, but oak, birch and beech are also good. Softwoods will burn quicker, so you will need more. Any resinous woods are likely to need longer to season properly.

Storing your wood

Whether your wood was pre-seasoned or whether you are doing it yourself, you will want to keep the wood as dry as possible when storing it at home. The best way to achieve this is to avoid stacking directly on the ground – simple pallets or the like can provide elevation. Also try to keep the wood covered to avoid the worst of the weather, but in a manner that still allows the wood to breathe. Be aware that your wood stack will be a haven for insects, so you might need to shake them off before taking into the house!

Then sit back and enjoy the wonders of a roaring fire….and if you don’t have a fire or a burner and you would like one, please do get in touch!

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The Ultimate Guide to Wood Burning Stoves – everything you need to know

Wood burning stove installation Surrey

Are you considering buying a wood burning stove? A stove can be a stunning addition to your property – watching logs burning makes for a very cosy winter night. But it is important to understand the type of stove that is right for you home, as well as the regulations surrounding your options.

With that in mind, we present our ultimate guide to wood burning stoves, complete with details on how to use wood burners, the best fuels to use, and a guide to choosing the right size of stove for your property.

Why buy a wood burning stove?

Wood burning stoves are a fantastic choice for your home – many customers select them as a handsome piece to add character to their property; but they are so much more. As well as adding warmth, charm, and a cosy feeling to any room, stoves are energy efficient and can help you save money on your energy bills.

Wood burning stove cost

The cost of wood burning stoves varies enormously depending on a range of factors, including the size of the stove, the type of fuel, and the needs of your property. Small simple models can be purchased for between £500-£1,000 – while more elaborate options are available for considerably more.

It’s a great idea to talk through your needs with our experts – they can help you to understand which type of stove is right for you.

How to use a wood burner

To use a wood burning stove effectively, there are a number of steps that you need to follow. It is important that you use your stove in a safe and efficient manner – these steps will allow you to do that.

  • Prepare your stove – ensure that the fire has had a previous air supply. Some models may have an indicator to let you know
  • Make a fire bed – you should place your firelighters or paper and dry kindling wood on your fire bed. You will need to have plenty of kindling in order to create a successful fire – don’t assume you can do without it
  • Lighting your fire – you should wait for the kindling to catch fire and then allow it to begin to burn. It’s important to have a log guard, as this will keep all the burning fuel inside and away from the glass
  • Leave the door slightly open – a small detail but can be a crucial one – leaving the door slightly open helps the flue pull and actually helps you to light the fire. It also avoids the build up of condensation on the front of the glass. In some cases, however, it is better to shut the door as this reduces the amount of airflow so speeds up the air that does come through and this can help get the fire going.
  • Add larger pieces gradually – as soon as the kindling is burning well you should add larger pieces of split wood. However, do not add full logs immediately – you need to build up the fire gradually and ensure that you do not smother it
  • Monitor Air Flow – Most wood burners have multiple ways to adjust the airflow. Once the fire is burning well, you can reduce the amount of airflow. This will prevent the wood from burning too fast. But only slow the airflow once the fire is burning well. As the fire gets hotter and more established you can slow the air right down which will mean the wood burns slowly and efficiently. if you slow the air too soon it could kill the fire so monitor it carefully.

How to clean wood burner glass

It is a common concern that a wood burning stove will get very dirty and be difficult to clean – this probably comes from the fact that people may be used to seeing older models that weren’t always designed with practicality in mind. Modern wood burning stoves are generally very easy to clean, often built with self-cleaning glass, meaning there’s no need to scrub them to remove dirt.

Even those without this technology are quick and easy to clean meaning that it doesn’t take much to keep them in excellent condition. One great tip for cleaning the glass is to use ash from the stove – use a moist cloth and pick up fresh ash to clean soot from the glass.

On the outside, however, you should never you a wet or damp cloth, as this can cause the metal to rust. Instead, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.

Are wood burning stoves bad for your health?

When they are maintained and used correctly, wood burning stoves do not pose a serious danger to your health. It is true that smoke from a stove is a pollutant and breathing in the fumes can cause coughing and shortness of breath. However, when they are used with a well-maintained chimney or flue, this should never be a problem.

Modern stoves are much more efficient and safer to use than older models. If you have any concerns it is always best to replace an old model with an efficient modern wood burner.

Wood burning stove regulations

All wood burning stoves must meet UK building regulations. There are specifics regarding how the flue is fitted, the size of the hearth, and the distance of the stove from combustibles. These can all affect the type of stove that is suitable for your property – that is why it is vital that you should speak to our professional stove installers before purchasing.

A stove must stand on a non-combustible hearth which extending at least 225mm in front and at least 150mm at the sides. If the hearth is on a floor that is combustible, it should be at least 250mm thick. Additionally, any stove which has an output of 5kws or higher requires a permanently open vent.

The regulations for having your stove installed can be more complex if your property is a listed building.

What size wood burning stove do I need?

Having a stove in your home is about so much more than the way it looks. And the most vital aspect of choosing a stove is to select one that is the right size for your property. Too small, and the stove won’t be able to heat the space properly. But it is actually more common for buyers to overestimate their warming needs, and buy a stove that is too big for the needs of their property.

In this case, the stove will pump out too much heat, which is inefficient and the room that the stove is in is overpowered with heat. Once again, the most important step here is to take advice from experienced professionals.

Can you burn coal in a wood burning stove?

Wood burning stoves are designed to be used with wood – not coal. The issue is in the design: stoves for burning wood have a flat plate. This is because wood only requires air from above in order to burn. Coal needs to be burned on a raised grate as it requires air from above, as well as an escape route, especially to stop the ash accumulating.

Any kind of wood can be burned on your stove, but it is really important to only burn seasoned wood. This is wood that is at least a year old and has been allowed to dry out.

You can, or course buy multi-fuel stoves that are able to burn coal and wood. These can be a very popular choice and give you flexibility when thinking about fuel. Coal can burn for a long time and produce a lot of heat and it can also be stored in a small space. A bag of coal can be kept in a garage and can produce a lot of heat. Wood is less efficient and obviously needs to be stored correctly. The flip side of this is that some people are unhappy about the way coal is mined and burnt.

Will a wood burning stove heat the whole house?

In some cases, this may well be possible. Once again, it is important to recognise that the type of wood burner you have will affect its performance. However, with a back boiler, it is very possible for a wood burning stove to heat a property in its entirety and do so efficiently. A back boiler is a system where the heat from the fire is used to heat water which can then be used in a central heating system. There are a number of ways this can work including just hot water for a water tank to fully integrated heating systems that work alongside a traditional boiler.  Stoves are able to spread the heat far further around the house than you might expect from an open fire.

Can you have a wood burning stove with no chimney?

Whilst it is possible to have a wood burning stove installed if you do not have a chimney, it will require some extra work to carry it out safely. You can have a flue installed (called a twin wall flue system)in your property in order to use your wood burning stove. These systems are not a great deal of money and can be installed through the roof or on the outside of the building depending on a number of factors. This does mean you can still have a wood burner even if you do not have a chimney.

If you would like any advice on the type of stove best suited to your home, fuels, installation, brands and more then get in touch with us today.

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Surrey in Autumn – Top Things to Do!

It is not hard to work out why we love autumn; it means we get to light our lovely fires and enjoy all the comforts and hygiene type feelings they bring, but we also love our county, so we thought it might be fun to have a look at some of the “cool” things going on in Surrey this autumn that we will be heading too and enjoying before getting back to a warm fire!

Autumn with the National Trust

Leaves…and lots of them! Nothing says autumn like a walk around some stunning gardens when all the leaves are turning. The colours are stunning, and we have some amazing National Trust properties to visit in Surrey. So head to the Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming, Claremont Landscape Gardens in Esher or Hatchlands Park in Guildford to really get into the changing season. A good walk, maybe something nice to eat and then….yes you guessed it, back home in front of a warm fire!

Guildford Book Festival

Keeping the cosy fireside theme going what better way to get ready for the coming winter than stock up on books! The Guildford Book Festival is the largest literary festival in Surrey and happens in October. Events are spread across a number of locations from The Electric Theatre and the Yvonne Arnaud to the Guildhall and the Guildford Harbour Hotel. 7 days of talks and more should be more than enough inspiration to get a good stack of new authors to binge during those darks nights…in front of the fire.

October Half Term in Surrey

It may feel like they have only just gone back to school but October half term will be here fast! There is always so much to do in Surrey and this year is no exception. There are Wizards and Witches Week at Brocketts Farm, Awesome Autumn at RHS Wisley and Wiglet’s Great Spook-er-ree at Godstone Farm. There is also the Pumpkin Carving Fest on Saturday the 19th and it goes on until the 23rd so plenty of time to get down to Morden Hall Park and get carving!

Bonfires and Fireworks

Literally nothing says Autumn like bonfire night. Events start in late October and run until early November right across Surrey. There will be loads of community evenings with all sorts of fun but the main Bonfire night is Saturday, November the 2nd for 2019.  Why not head to Newdigate on the 25th of October to kick things off, then Ripley for the 26th for their evening of ohhs and ahhhs! Our local event in Woking is on the 2nd of November this year along with a whole host of other events at Wisley, Guildford, Morden, Horley, Brockham and Epsom to name just a few! It might be a chilly night so you might want to lay your fire before you leave so you can light it easily when you get in with cold children after the fun.

We know the summer is amazing, but we can’t stop the seasons, so we might as well embrace them, we hope you will join us in getting out in our lovely county this Autumn and having lots of fun!