Log burner worth it?

Martin_the_Unjust

During winter when we use ours all day the ash pan is emptied once a week ish.

alicef

Martin_the_Unjust said:

During winter when we use ours all day the ash pan is emptied once a week ish.

I agree - in fact, I don't empty the ash pan that often over winter, and I distribute the ash on the orchard trees.  We have 2 x Pioneer 400 and only have to light one to heat up the house very effectively over winter.  We are fortunate to be able, now, to source wood from our shelterbelt, (planted by us), and from helping neighbours - very, very occasionally we buy in wood - the log burners reduces our oil consumption enormously and being rural, we don't have access to (relatively!) cheap gas. 

  

clive0510

this house had a room heater in the front room when we 1st come here. it was called a torglow fire master. used to burn logs on there and coal. it was so inefficient - 400 each winter on coal- we had it removed and a combi boiler in its place. best thing I ever did. where the back boiler was is now a cupboard. where the emersion tank was is now airing cupboard. the original fire place is still in place. but in its place is a electric black n brass fire we got in argos! thats progess!

dunstonh

Ectophile said:

Any burner that can go for 4 weeks between emptying the ashes must have a huge ash pan below the burning area.

One year, my central heating broke down over Christmas, leaving the log burner as my main heating.  I had to empty the ashes twice a day - which meant buying a metal bucket to put the hot ashes in.  if I didn't do that, the ash would have been overflowing the burner by the evening.

When I use it as supplemental heating, I can go a day or two before emptying it.

Iff that is a wood burner then something is very inefficient with your burner.  If you are using other fuels, then it may explain it.

Dry hard wood burnt efficiently doesn't create a lot of ash.

seven-day-weekend

We have two inset woodburners in a two-bedroom bungalow.  We only use them on the coldest days.  We bought them mainly to be a little bit prepared for 'when the Russians turn the gas off'  (Yes, my husband said that when we bought them in 2015,) and also to save on gas a bit, although we do use the central heating most of the time.

We have a large log  pile near the bungalow under the carport, and another in an approximately two cubic metre logstore up the garden. It is seasoned wood.

If you don't like messing with your fire , then a stove is not for you, but we love setting them and feeding them and even cleaning them. 

I don't think they save money.

mumf

We’ve had two multi fuel stoves forever. We’ve been here 30 odd years,and they are our primary heating. I get wood for nothing.Except my sweat! Smokeless coal sets us back 300 quid a year. We have wall mounted electric radiators for when the stoves are not lit, which isn’t often,and the house is more than warm enough. So I would say that with the electric added,our heating is only £500 a year. 

It just takes work.