Log burner worth it?

Clownfish68

Hi looking for some general advice with cost of energy trying to reduce gas usage and considering a log burner next year. Whilst the initial outlay would be steep we are not planning to move I’ve always wanted one for aesthetics and occasional use in winter. Now with energy being what it is I’m wondering if this is worth it to help reduce gas consumption? I expect logs have went up in price but would be mainly used in winter but then with a rough calculation based on energy use at 300-400 per month in coldest months over the winter I think the price may be worth it. We have a 16m2 living room and it’s only my partner and daughter (toddler) and we don’t spend time in separate rooms so thinking using this and then central heating to warm the bedrooms before bed. first year I’d buy kiln dried and then store it myself for following year. 

Any advice? 

 

FreeBear

How much space do you have to store logs ?

You need somewhere under cover that is dry. Do not underestimate just how much you will get through in a year. I have a 10x6 shed packed to the roof with logs - This got me through the winter, even although it was quite mild. On top of that, I have (had) a similar sized pile stacked under tarpaulin to restock the shed.

Sufficient kiln dried logs to last a winter would cost an absolute fortune - Much better to get air dried logs loose tipped (cheaper), but it is still going to be expensive.

CRISPIANNE3

We have a multi burner and yes they are certainly worth it. Supply and fitting cost £3000. We live in a Victorian house and last winter we did not even use the gas much. Logs were very inexpensive and coal not too badly priced.

mark_cycling00

it sounds like a good, practical idea and also (despite what people tell you) it is fairly green. I bet you aren't the only person thinking this because around here the wait time for installation of a log-burner is over 6 months.

However, it takes 20 years to grow additional commercial forestry so the price of logs could easily sky-rocket if lots of people do the same thing. There was a wood-pellet shortage about 10 years ago in northern California after people were given grants to install them; in winter people were fighting at petrol stations over the last bags of pellets.

Also there's the cost of kindling, fire-lighters, chimney cleaning, perhaps lining the chimney before installation, fire-guard for child etc.

Do you have storage for 6 cubic meters or more of logs needed to get through a winter? And a decent amount of space for the logs in the living room so they aren't freezing cold when you add them into the fire

Most people are using domestic log-burners as an addition to other heating but yes, you can turn off the heating for a while once it's got going. 

I can also imagine that in more urban areas there might be a backlash against this do to the perception of air-pollution / jealousy. 

but check total costs and risks versus how long the Russia conflict will continue and longer-lasting impacts

Clownfish68

Thanks for comment. As I said more food for thought really to understand actual running costs and options for fuel sources available to me. I live in the city so I wouldn’t imagine free sources would be readily available compared to more rural locations.

storage I don’t think would be an issue I have a 2mx7m garage that sits empty for the most part with the exception of a small cupboard I use to store tools in. 

Swipe

As a stove owner in multiple houses for over 25 years they are OK if you don't mind the daily work of emptying ashes, the mess and dust. Also, if you don't mind breathing in particulates. Not really great for your health.

FreeBear

Another point to consider - Spiders.

Spiders love logs, and will gleefully hitch a ride indoors (along with beetles & other bugs). Had a constant swarm of wasp beetles a year or two back from a batch of Poplar.

Olinda99

I did read somewhere they wete not good environmentally but you could research this

Petriix

As with so many of these things there is a money saving way to do it, but it requires a degree of effort and adaptation to do so successfully. 

First is the purchase and installation of the stove. You could pay £3k... Or you could pick up a second hand (reputable brand, properly labeled) one off ebay or gumtree for next to nothing. The hardware to line the chimney and complete the installation costs about £300. You can DIY the bulk of the work and get a friendly HETAS engineer to connect it up and register it. My complete installation cost under £500.

Then there's the logs. Depending on where you live there are often opportunities to scavenge decent hardwood when it falls off trees. Then you need to saw it up and dry it for at least 18 months. There's a saying about warming yourself twice when you chop the firewood.

You don't have to burn 6 cubic metres every winter. We just burn 5 or 6 medium logs per day to keep the living room warm while letting the rest of the house be cold. Sticking with one room really cuts down on the overall energy needed.

PennyForThem_2

https://ncc-flue.co.uk/blog/the-new-regulations-for-burning-logs-in-woodburning-stoves/#:~:text=In addition, the sale of,and coal will be banned.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-wood-for-domestic-use-in-england

Law has changed if you are buying logs - see above (this applies to Wales as well).  Basically the gov don't trust buyers to season their logs.  However if you live in the country.........as long as you season your self-gathered logs.....and why wouldn't you to save tarring of chimney and inefficient burning/calorific value......talkto a chimney sweep about the horrors of tarred up chimneys.

The other costs are maintaining the stove itself and obviously chimney sweeping even if you have aluminium insert it needs sweeping - but these are minimal costs, tbh.

I have a multi fuel Morso in a 4 bed house in town.  Love it.  Run it in evenings when it gets cold.  Yes, it is dusty, messy and you need to bring in the wood.  Just a caveat - a colleague stored wood to side of her stove - went out & it caught fire from the overheated stove - smoke damage and fire damage to ground floor so take care.

Stoves are messy - don't be taken in by pristine style living photos...

Alnat1

Consider if someone is happy to get up an hour earlier in the morning, clean out the stove from the previous day, relight it and clear up the mess from cleaning it, so the room is warm and ready when others need it.