Log burner investment?

Ultrasonic

chris1973 said:

"These things are great if you want all your neighbours to hate you"

Strange, but i've never made a purchase or indeed any life decision based on what the neighbours think. Its just not something I would ever lose a seconds' sleep over.

Sounds like one of these things that people who ask others to make all of life's decisions for them on facebook would consider.

Well that's a colossally selfish attitude to take. The isn't 'what the neighbours think' but rather 'will it impact on my neighbours happyness/wellbeing' which absolutely should be something people consider. It's like not playing loud music late at night.

I have no personal experience with log-burners but if they can be an issue for others then this is a perfectly reasonable issue for somebody to raise.

Mstty

We are in a rural village and everyone has a fireplace or log or multi fuel burner. Mainly because of the rural nature.

I can understand towns and cities not particularly wanting the smell of wood burning but it's the norm in the counter and nothing like a roaring winter fire.

No fad or gimic here 

We always pick up free wood when advertised and store it to dry. Having only been here less than a year we will be able to start using some of this free fuel this winter. Storm Eunice stocked us up plenty.

FreeBear

Phones4Chris said:

Ultrasonic said:

A quick Google supports a suspicion of mine, that having a wood burner will lead to an increase in home insurance costs too.

Where did you get that over-generalisation from? None of my household insurers past or present have ever asked or got any conditions in the policy about log burners. I suggest this might only apply to some insurers.

If you live in a thatched property, then having a stove (or open fire) is quite likely to increase your insurance premium. But for the rest of us, it won't.

Ultrasonic

Phones4Chris said:

Ultrasonic said:

A quick Google supports a suspicion of mine, that having a wood burner will lead to an increase in home insurance costs too.

Where did you get that over-generalisation from? None of my household insurers past or present have ever asked or got any conditions in the policy about log burners. I suggest this might only apply to some insurers.

Just a quick Google search as I stated - not some sort of thorough research  . It would seem a little surprising to me if it isn't true but I've not spent any time going through getting fake insurance quotes to look into this. 

Mstty

Not a general question on quotes asked for. Doesn't mean it shouldn't be declared and I will check with our insurer if it makes a difference however not now on renewal as we aren't using the log burner until the renewal in August.

Dizee123

I have just had a small woodburner fitted.  This was not really to save money, but because when our gas central heating system failed in January we did not have an alternative source of heating.  I could have just bought a couple of oil filled electric radiators, but I chose the option of having a real fire for purely aesthetic reasons.  It is a DEFRA approved clean burning stove, and the installers took great pains to explain how to use it so it emits minimum smoke.  I will use a mixture of kiln dried logs and our own seasoned wood, and use a moisture meter to ensure that I don't burn damp wood and cause more smoke than necessary.

This is more responsible than many neighbours I have that burn green garden waste on bonfires - usually when I have just put out my washing....grrrrrrrr.  We only live 1 mile from the council recycling centre and they also provide a garden waste collection service so no excuse for it.

PennyForThem_2

I have 2 wood/multifuel burners in an urban environment installed about 12 years ago.  Both are top end at time and both recycle the initial smoke to burn  --   both are Morso.

Yes, they help with heating.  Yes, they help with my mental health in that the process of log seasoning, chopping twigs for firelighters and setting fire and the pleasure it gives me, calms me.

I agree not suitable for every property - mine is 4 bed detached.

Yes I buy wood (in Wales has to be kiln dried now otherwise I would season for a year) but the Winter Fuel Allowance pays for my annual supply from local managed forests.

kah22

I have two stoves: a multi fuel and a log burner.  The multi fuel is used perhaps once a week and then only for an hour or so. The wood burner heats our main living area and I wouldn't be without - there's a but coming up!

Living in a rural area with a decent supply of wood, a place to store it, and away from neighbours I think I do little harm, and on a cold winter night the sight of a flame is comforting. Now I don't know about previous contributors but I don't have access to piped gas, which at the present point in time mightn't be that bad. Economically it works fine for me a a large crate of ash costs £300 and with windfalls that lasts me the grater part of the year.

Now the BUT while I've had the multi fuel for well over 20 years and it had been in daily use up until about two years ago.  The wood burner has now developed a crack on the top of the stove and I'm going to have to start looking for a fix.  Bear that in mind OP. That said I think they are great - go for it.  I'll reframe from mentioning the manufacturers name.

ariarnia

@Bendy_House has been posting about his adventures restoring and fixing up a stove so might be able to help (it normally helps to know what the problem is so you know what your asking to be done or maybe even something you could get a spare part online?) 

Bendy_House

Thankfully nothing that serious with mine!

Sounds as tho' a bit of welding is on the cards

Some stoves have removable top panels, but most are welded in place. Should be fixable, tho'.