Plumbing

As the world becomes more environmentally aware, it’s becoming more imperative that we change our own habits in line with our beliefs. There is only so much we can do if we don’t start by shaping our habits at home – the everyday things we can do might include walking instead of driving, recycling food, and using the heating less to save energy. For some time now, there has been an increase in the number of people choosing to heat their homes with sustainable fuels and wanting to rely less on the national grid and their own central heating. Being self sufficient is an idealist way of life for many.

Burning firewood is certainly a sustainable source of energy – it is renewable, as trees can be replanted and the earth won’t run out of trees if we manage sources effectively. By far the most effective way of heating a home with a fire is to use seasoned logs – ones that have been dried out so that what remains is a log that has a lower water content. Due to these lower moisture levels, the logs will burn for longer and will produce a more effective burn as well. You can choose hardwood, seasoned logs from many sources that will suit your fire perfectly.

Some sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of seasoned logs

These are some of the ways in which you can obtain seasoned logs that are environmentally friendly and that will have as little impact on the planet as possible:

• Buy from a company that meets all PEFC regulations. This is a non-governmental initiative, called the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. It means that forests have been managed sustainably and trees are replanted in sufficient quantities, so your wood is coming from a reputable source. When you are buying from internet stores or local shops, look out for this PEFC certification.
• Season your own firewood. This will require some space to allow you to season the wood, but it is possible. Seasoned wood is essentially firewood that has been dried out, so if you are able to keep the wood and dry it out yourself, you will be able to create better fires. You will need a wood or log store to keep the wood dry, providing shelter so that it can dry out effectively. You will need to have enough time to season your wood, usually about a year. This means you will need a constant supply of wood that you are drying out, to keep you well stocked for the cold winter months.
• Talk to local businesses. You might be able to source seasoned wood that is a by product of other industries, such as gardening, landscaping and tree surgery. Often, people who run these kinds of businesses will end up with large amounts of wood and they won’t have anything they need to do with it, so they will season it themselves and sell it on. This means they can put timber to good use, and you can source local, sustainable seasoned logs.

Buying a stove is an investment for your home and for your family, giving you a new way to heat your property as well a focal point for the room. There are many different wood burning stoves on the market, giving you plenty of options in terms of style, appearance and functionality, so there will always be lots of choice regardless of your needs. It’s a good option for the modern home, and for the modern way of life. There is nothing quite as lovely as a roaring fire in your home, making it feel warm and welcoming.

So why might you choose to have a wood burning stove in your home? Many of the reasons come down to it being a lifestyle choice, with plenty of scope for improving your way of life and the way in which you live in your home. If you love your home and your space, you are much more likely to be a calm, happy individual. These are some of the main points to think about if you’re not sure whether you want to commit – the installation is, after all, not cheap, and neither is the stove.

• Aesthetics. The primary reason that people opt for wood burners is the way that they look. This could sound like quite a superficial reason, but when you consider the fact that it is your home and your space that you want to give you peace of mind, then it makes a lot of sense. Home is where the heart is, and if you love your home it will give you true peace of mind. A wood burning stove can help you to have a better relationship with your home and to enjoy spending time there, even more than you already do. It’s the icing on the cake in terms of being the owner of a beautiful decor.
• Heating. A wood burning stove can also be an excellent source of heating for your home. This can be a good way to balance out the cost of installing the stove, and buying it in the first place, because once it has been put in properly you can save yourself lots of money on your bills. A stove will provide more heat than you might think, and you don’t necessarily need to be next to it. If you create a good fire, then you can enjoy it throughout the room, and perhaps even further into your home if it has an open plan design.
• Self sufficiency. It can be very empowering indeed to feel that you are in control of your own home and, as a consequence, in control of your own life. By being able to heat your home off the grid, the power is in your hands. Many people really enjoy the feeling of being able to buy and choose their own wood, then use it to look after their family and their home. In this way, a wood burning stove can really help you to enjoy your lifestyle more.