Wood burning stoves - worth it?

welda

You could be spot on about buying in cut and ready to go is cheaper compared to how I have been doing things to date, at the moment I reckon I have a couple of seasons worth in rounds, some will require cut back to length, then split. I have an oak tree coming down soon with my name on it, aborists chop it down, then into rounds, I pick up and do the rest.

I also receive a builders bulk bag on a weekly basis full of decent size white wood, burns quick, burns hot, works well when mixed with oak or ash. (I pick up)

I have to say, I have been lucky so far sourcing free wood, I should also mention it's a reciprocal trade off, back scratching comes to mind, last week I made up a register plater, with spiggots and access hole from stainless, it's all a trade off, but we are all happy at end off day.

To answer your Q, guestimate of at least 5 days just cutting and splitting for a seasons worth, however, if hand sawing, splitting with maul, double, plus hospital time :beer:

The_Economist

jendav wrote: »

Sooo, been reading all these posts and confused! We have a lower flat (just one flat above), built 1900, single glazing, gas fire verges on antique and lounge room very chilly! Have one infant and another on the way, due mid-winter, so want lounge to be as toasty as possible, especially if get another winter like last year. For warmth, recommended to switch off gas fire, have chimney plugged up, get double glazing and increase radiator size - not keen! Would rather make use of a decent chimney and get a wood burning stove, but wonder if this is the best thing to do? Hearth is very shallow and angles backwards. We are ground floor but have suspended floor due having a Victorian house - will it take the weight of a wood burner? Also in a smoke control area. May only stay in this house another year or so, but who knows. Gas bill last winter was exorbitant at £600, largely due to gas fire thundering away day and night - makes sense to me to put that money towards a wood burner instead. Keeping single glazing but getting windows draught proofed and restored, got heavy curtains, etc. That chimney is the big chill factor, though. Appreciate any advice.

A couple of links that might be of interest,
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/474318

http://www.thegreenlivingforum.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=21621c9e559d77b63b84aecb4ce360ae

HTH.

jendav

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your replies - really helpful. Think it's persuaded me more that I would like to get one, so I'll start shopping around and see how I go. This house is so cold, really can't bear another winter with little kids here and not feeling warm. Even with the central heating going non-stop all winter and at max temperature, my daughter's room was still ony 14 degrees in the day last winter - if the wood burner could give us a toasty lounge room and possibly open doors might bring up the heat in her room, then it seems worth it. Appreciate the advice about the free wood, though. There's a forest down the road from us, and builders' yards nearby, so I'll see if I can scrounge some free fuel. Even if we leave this house in a year or so, we'd probably rent it out (since house prices so bad at the mo), so hopefully it would be seen as a benefit and not a nuisance to tenants, which would make the investment worthwile. Always worried that by restoring the sash windows and not just ripping them out and putting in double glazing, buyers or tenants would worry about the chill factor so maybe this would help. Maybe I'm just working up excuses to convince OH that it's worth spending the money! Thanks again though - really appreciate it.

crphillips

If your going to rent it make sure it;s installed properly and you get the correct paperwork.....also keep hold of sweep certificates/invoices. Make sure you brief tenants on how to use it too........i've seen many sets of grate bars and baffle plates knackered due to clueless tenants that haven't been told how to use it by the landlord. Also have your chimney swept every year......don't leave it up to the tenant to sort out as they won't.

You'll be toasty warm with a wood burner! Get on with it quickly though as we're stacked out and any decent fitter should be at this time of year......a one man band may be booked up for months already.

hethmar

Yes, we are now up to December for bookings. People get quotes in the spring but dont do anything til it gets cold

pinkmami

I haven't had any use of my stove yet (builders are in) but my house was screaming for a stove! Traditional welsh cottage with a massive inglenook so I got a stove fitted (Charnwood Country 8) - all in all paid £3000 for the nook to be knocked out, new concrete floor, slate tiles, lime pointed, stove & fitting...well worth it - whether its practical to heat or not - it would have been criminal NOT to fit one in!!!

But when we do move in it'll be lovely & warm & cosy - can't wait! CR & Badger gave be excellent advice on here.

suisidevw

Would love to see pics Pink!

pinkmami

suisidevw wrote: »

Would love to see pics Pink!

Pic as rquested!! I'm proud to show off my baby!!:D





House dates back to at least 1837 (according to the deeds) & the beam is the original. To the left of the stove is a huge void where I suspect granny sat in her rocking chair!!!! Now full to the brim of logs waiting to be burned by a budding pyromaniac. And to the right of it are holes where I have been duly told, salt was placed to dry out. To the left of the beam as you can see is what I suspect was a bread oven yet I'm not sure. About 1 cubic foot in size. In the process of placing a slate tile to level it off so I can place my great, great grandfather's oil lamp when he worked down the pits in South Wales. In the holes for the salts I have placed old medicine bottles which we found in the grounds of the house still intact & corked, and also an iron shoe template my husband's grandfather used when he was a cobbler at the house many yrs ago. We'll be the 3rd & 4th generation to live there.:D

Amazing to think that huge beauty was hiding behind an old gas fire for all that time!

Iris_Blue

Pink that is gorgeous! You have great taste.

suisidevw

Pink, it really is lovely, amazing! Do you have pics of the outside of the house? I live in S Wales and looking forward to a country cottage for our next house, with stove very similiar to the above! Yours is quite similar to my parents which I love! Will try adn find a pic