The final signs of autumn are starting to fade, as winter moves in. The trees are almost bare. Christmas is on the horizon.
It’s a busy time of the year for all those hard working wood burning stoves around the UK. It’s also the time when chimney fires, and other issues tend to arise. The sales of stoves are also at their highest this time of the year.
Being prepared is essential for the winter season, whether you have a stove or are new to stove ownership. We have come up with a 7 Pointers for Winter to help you enjoy your stove, and get the most from it.
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- Sweep Your Chimney: Visit HETAS website to find a chimney sweep – www.hetas.co.uk/find-chimney-sweep/ for a list of qualified sweeps. Having your chimney swept will mean you are reducing the chances of chimney fires, and also deadly Carbon Monoxide poisoning. A chimney should be swept every 3 months during regular use.
. - Carbon Monoxide: Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas that humans can’t see, smell or taste. There is always a risk of this when you burn sold fuel. Reduce the chances of this happening by keeping your chimney swept. As a safe guard you should also invest in a Carbon Monoxide detector. This will alert you and your family well before any symptoms occur.
. - Think About Fuel: Burning wet or unseasoned wood will increases the chances of a congested chimney and carbon monoxide poisoning. Burning unseasoned wood will also produce a poor flame and heat output, which will cost you more money to keep warm.It will also blacken the window of your stove, which is not really conducive to making an attractive talking point in a room over the festive period. In our experience, stoves are often only second to the Christmas Tree as a festive focal point.
. - Think Eco: Or should we say, think Eco…design! Choosing a stove, which is Ecodesign Ready is a great way to contribute to a cleaner, greener environment by investing in a more sustainable way to heat a home. If you are looking to buy a stove, consider an Ecodesign stove, such as those found in the Purevision range.
. - Think Smoke! – Whether you have a wood burning stove already or are looking at getting one, a smoke alarm is essential to have in a home. For that matter a smoke detector is essential, whether you have a smoke detector or not.
. - Room Size: Before falling for your dream stove, ensure it’s suitable for your room. A stove, which is too large will be highly uncomfortable when at maximum output. Likewise, a stove, which is too small will not provide enough heat. A survey from a showroom will be able to help, guide and advise you.
. - Being Prepared: – A stove looks great, and is always a great talking point in a home. However, it does require a little more attention than an electric fire for example. You need space to store wood, whether that is for the long term, to allow the wood to season, or simply just for storing already seasoned wood.You need to schedule regular chimney sweeps, and also spend time removing ash every now and then. Basic servicing you are able to do, such as cleaning the window and oiling the hinges, but an expert will be needed for other more complex work.
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Whatever stage you are at with your stove. Whether it’s the initial research as a potential stove owner, or if you’re a seasoned (no pun intended!) owner, being prepared, and having a plan is essential.
