Heating

Wood Burning Fires – the Pros and Cons

Young woman eating by fire

Many people dream of living in a home with a real, wood burning fire. There is something so atmospheric about the crackling flames and the woody smell. However, more realistic homeowners also realise that wood burning fires can take a lot of work. Here, we weigh up the pros and cons to help you make your decision:

Pros

  • Aesthetics. There is no denying a wood burning fire looks gorgeous in any room. It creates a certain atmosphere that other methods of heating your home simply cannot compare to.
  • Versatility. A wood burning fire will look good in any type of property, whether it’s modern or traditional. There are lots of different designs available to meet with different people’s preferences.
  • Environmental factors. Burning your own sustainably-sourced fuel is much better for the environment than using central heating systems. Wood is a renewable fuel, so far more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels.
  • Self sufficiency. It’s very rewarding to know that you’re able to heat your home independently.

Cons

  • Availability of fuels. If you live in a city, it might be more difficult for you to source fuels than for someone living in the countryside. Your best bet is to find a reliable and cost-effective company who can deliver your fuels for you.
  • Cost of installation. It isn’t cheap to install a wood burning fire. You will need to think about structural aspects like chimneys as well as the fire itself.
  • Maintenance. You will need to clean out the fireplace on a regular basis, as well as having your stove serviced to ensure everything stays in good working order.
Jul 18 2016
More

The Eco-Friendly Way of Heating a Building

Woman Renovating her Home and Relaxing with Cup of Tea

Renewable fuels are the way forward when it comes to heating homes and businesses. Fossil fuels are finite, and we need to find new solutions for heating our buildings effectively. Burning fuel in a specially-designed burner can be an excellent way to heat your home without the need for central heating.

There are many different wood burning stoves to choose from, so it will be easy to select one that works for your building. You can choose from a variety of sizes depending on the space you need to heat. It will provide you with plenty of heat using completely renewable sources.

Make sure you specifically choose renewable options when purchasing your fuels. There are lots of different types of wood available, so ensure that yours comes from a sustainable source. One of the best options is to choose renewable wood chips, pellets or briquettes. These are made from scrap and recycled wood, and offer excellent value for money. In fact, briquettes will usually deliver even more heat efficiency than logs making them an excellent all-round option.

The other option is to obtain your own wood. You can collect scrap wood or even use wood from your own garden. You may need additional products like a chopping block and storage space, but it can be very rewarding to heat your home self-sufficiently.

Jun 13 2016
More

How to Manage Your Plumbing and Heating in Rented Accommodation

Rented accommodation will provide you with everything you need in terms of plumbing and heating, and it is usually your landlord’s responsibility to maintain it. Here are some tips for managing your plumbing and heating whilst living in rented accommodation:

  1. Check your contract thoroughly when you move in. You will need to know exactly what you are responsible for. Some tenancies will include water bills, but many will not, so it’s best to be as thorough as you can.
  2. Make yourself familiar with how everything works. Get your bills set up properly and make sure you know how your boilers and radiators operate. Check the manuals to ensure that you’re not making mistakes and ask someone if you have any questions.
  3. Keep a close eye on everything. Check your boiler is still working as it should be and make a note of anything that might be concerning you.
  4. Let the landlord know immediately if you have any problems with your heating or plumbing systems. If you want to get it fixed as quickly as possible, you will need to have informed the right people straight away. Be proactive about chasing it up as well – landlords and property agents are busy people and you don’t want your issue to slip through the net.
  5. Make sure you have an emergency number. You need to know that you’ll be able to get hold of someone who is able to help if something goes wrong at any time of the day or night.
May 19 2016
More

Maintaining Your Wood-Burning Fire

Maintaining Your Wood-Burning Fire

Wood-burning fires can make a lovely addition to your home. They provide warmth, they’re aesthetically pleasing and they can even save you money on your heating bills. They need to be correctly looked after though, or you won’t be able to make the most of them. Here are some tips for making sure that your wood-burner stays in the best condition possible:

  1. Make proper use of the damper. This is a small door which is positioned above the fire, going up into the chimney. Remember to close it when the fire is not in use, and use it to control the fire and how fiercely it burns when in use.
  2. If you have a glass door, close it when the fire is not in use to reduce airflow to the chimney.
  3. Use a cap on the chimney. This will stop birds from getting into it, and will also help to prevent any debris falling into the chimney and blocking it.
  4. Clean out your fire regularly, waiting until the ash is cold.
  5. Have your chimney swept regularly and have everything serviced annually. Soot and creosote can build up if these vital steps aren’t followed, so this is completely integral to keeping your fire or stove in good working order.
Apr 20 2016
More

The Benefits of Buying Firewood Logs and their Distribution in the UK

The Benefits of Buying Firewood Logs and their Distribution in the UK

When it comes to seeking Firewood Logs for Sale, many companies in the United Kingdom can deliver the wood fuel to your doorstep whenever you are in need. The logs come in varieties of sizes and types but maintain their high quality to guarantee longer burn time and maximum heat output. Most of the logs are dried in modern kilns, which make them have very low moisture content and burn with an unpolluted, bright fire. Since the firewood logs have low moisture content, it helps in preventing your wood burner from becoming cloudy and sooty. You can also enjoy observing the burning logs as well as their flames through the screen without the frequent cleaning of the glass. The logs are equally ideal to use in open fires, bonfires and suitable for special events, such as outdoor parties.

Whenever you need Firewood Logs for Sale, always ensure you buy them form Approved Wood Merchants. They specialize in the business and have valid licenses to carry out their operations, such as delivering numerous bags of firewood logs to customers on a weekly basis. Their main customers are homes and merchants all over the UK. You should identify reputable merchants who can deliver the firewood logs in time because they also sell the top-quality kiln-dried logs. They are also able to deliver orders of any amount and size without extra charge within the United Kingdom. Many orders approximately take between five and seven working days to reach the locations of the customers.

Mar 30 2016
More