As Energy Prices Soar It’s Time To Show Your Fireplace Some Love.
Wood fuel companies say sales have jumped by almost 40 per cent compared to the same period last year, while stove installers are reporting a “significant uplift” in demand in recent weeks with fears of rising energy bills prompting many to turn to woodburners for warmth.
Chimney sweeps, including ourselves, are noticing an increase in bookings as people rush to get their chimneys swept and safe ahead of winter. HETAS, the solid fuel standards association, said searches on its website for chimney sweeps are up 13 per cent year on year, while searches for stove servicing are up 28 per cent.
According to data provided by the Stove Industry Alliance, it would cost around £420 to use a woodburner on evenings and weekends during the winter months, compared to £480 for gas heating for the average household over the same period under the current price cap.
So if you’ve got a working fire and are keen to use it this winter what should you be considering:
Getting Your Chimney Swept - if you haven’t a flue liner you need one to reduce the risk of chimney fires and reduce future chimney maintenance.
Getting Your Stove Serviced - it’s important to ensure there is no smoke spillage and that all stove parts are in good working order.
Getting A Cowl Fitted - if you’ve not got one we strongly suggest getting one as it stops vermin and pests from falling down the chimney and causing you problems and damage.
Is Your Stove Compliant - many older wood fires and stoves are not compliant with the new European EcoDesign efficiency and emissions standards and these will have to be phased out by 2022. New stoves feature high efficiency combustion systems, and use 70% less logs than an open fire and 20% less than a standard stove to heat your home. Ecodesign Ready stoves represent the future of wood burning.
What you burn - you should ensure you are burning wood that is classed Ready to Burn so has a moisture content of less than 20%
A well maintained stove and chimney will not only keep you warm and safe, it will also save you money on costly maintenance. Your chimney should be swept annually if only used occasionally but if in regular use six monthly. Some stoves that are constantly in use may well require a sweep every three months during colder months.
We are fully trained and registered with HETAS for chimney sweeping and multi fuel stove installations and a registered Master Sweep with NACS so are able to assist you to ensure your chimney and stove are ready to go.
If like many you are considering having a stove installed for this winter please get in touch as soon as possible so we can help you with all the advice and guidance you will need to stay warm this winter.
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