Summerfield Ltd - Wood Stoves Meriden

Why choose a traditional Wood burning Stove?

There is nothing more captivating than the sound and smell of a wood burning stove and the warmth and cosiness is difficult to achieve with any other form of heating. Thanks to a wide range of stove styles, sizes and finishes, it is easy to find one that will match your decor and complement your home style. Apart from the sheer pleasure of heating your home with a wood burning stove, there are a number of practical benefits to gain from having a woodburner installed:

Stove location flexibility
A stove can be installed virtually anywhere in the home, as long as there is a safe way to run a flue pipe to the outside of the house. Having a chimney may not always be necessary. Although installation will, of course, be cheaper and easier if your home already has a traditional chimney, you can get a special insulated stainless steel pipe fitted which will run through the roof or wall of your home to let the smoke out. This means you can heat most rooms or spaces within your home with a few well-placed stoves, reducing your central heating requirements.

Exceptional heating
By far the biggest advantage homeowners have with a woodburner is the quality of heat the stove gives off. Wood burning stoves operate on the principals of radiant and convected heat, which warms a room quickly and efficiently. The powerful heat radiates from all sides of the stove as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions.

Economical heating
Wood is a relatively inexpensive fuel source. It costs less per kWH than oil, gas or electricity. With new regulations it is important to burn only seasoned logs with less than 20% moisture content as these will minimise pollutants and increase efficiency. Kiln dried wood has less than 20% moisture but is more expensive than seasoned logs. Some stove owners collect free wood but as this is much wetter, it will need drying out and it can take as long as two years. Although there are the initial costs of the stove purchase and the installation, long-term financial benefits are achievable. The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) says that a wood burning stove is 77% cheaper per kilowatt hour (kWH) to run than an electric fire, 29% cheaper than a gas fire, and around 43% and 50% cheaper than an oil and LPG fire respectively.

Better for the environment
Compared with using fossil fuels for heat (natural gas, propane, coal, etc.) wood is much more eco-friendly. It is considered “carbon-neutral,” which means when it burns, it doesn’t add additional carbon dioxide to the environment. This is because in its natural state as a tree, wood absorbs carbon dioxide that’s in the atmosphere. During combustion, a balance is maintained. If considering an investment in a new wood burning stove, it is wise to buy one that adheres to the prevailing and planned regulations. If you live in a town or city or a built up area, it is likely that the area has been deemed a smokeless zone, and a Defra approved stove would be required. You may wish to check the status of your area with your local council.

Provides heat during power cuts
If you live in a region that has occasional power outages throughout the winter, you know how valuable a heat source that is 100% self-contained can be. With a dependable wood stove, you’ll stay warm around the clock, regardless of your home’s supply of gas or electricity.

Improved sales potential of your home
A woodburner is considered an asset when selling a property and is a great focal point in a home. Some property developers have started installing stoves in houses as they consider it makes them more appealing to buyers. They can provide a sense of charm and ambience to a property giving the house that warm heart as you sit around with friends and family on winter evenings.