Are wood-burning stoves & biomass boilers the future for heating, asks Deborah Stone PROUD son Michael Barber-Starkey fondly recalls his mother’s joy inigniting the wood-burning stove industry in Britain back in the late 1960s. GETTY“We were living in a large farmhouse; couldn’t heat it and that’s how we ended up with a wood-burning stove,” he says with a laugh.“Then friends wanted them and it went from there. My parents ended up running a large retail business back in the 1970s and 1980s.”After a spell in agriculture Barber-Starkey is now managing director of Euroheat (01885 491100; euroheat.co.uk), which provides wood-burning stove and biomass heating solutions.So confident is he that using wood instead of gas or oil for heating and hot water saves money that he has installed wood-burning stoves linked to a dual fuel burner into his own family home. Even if we have a power cut I can still keep the home warm This can burn either logs or wood pellets to heat the hot water tank and central heating, too.
“I’m off the grid and independent,” he says.“Even if we have a power cut I can still keep the home warm.”But the best thing is the reduction in fuel costs: “Logs are the cheapest form of fuel,” he maintains.PRPR“I source mine from a local farmer, which couldn’t get any better environmentally. And the running cost for my system, using logs, is around 25 per cent of what it would be for oil or gas.”It sounds like sustainability bliss, although Barber-Starkey reveals it cost around £45,000 to get the system installed into the Herefordshire home his family moved into two years ago.The other thing you’ll need if you want to heat radiators and hot water is a garage or outhouse big enough to house the large biomass boiler because wood-burning stoves will only heat the room they’re in.“You need space, there’s no question,” he admits. For anybody building from scratch or who has moved to their “for ever” family home with a garden big enough for an outhouse, a biomass boiler is not only environmentally friendly but also economical.
Most of us chasing the reduced fuel cost dream, though, will be limited to a wood-burning stove or two to heat our living rooms and create our own hygge, the current Danish zeitgeist that is untranslatable but basically means happiness.PRYou don't need an open fire in your home for a stove because they come with a prefabricated stainless steel chimney system that can either go straight through an outside wall or up through the ceiling and between the floor joists then outside.But you do need building regulations approval.You can install a wood-burning stove yourself but you still have to pay to have it inspected and approved, so it’s easier and often safer to find an expert installation company through the government-backed Heating Equipment Testing And Approvals Scheme – HETAS (01684 278170; heats.co.uk).Installers advise on the type of stoves to buy (and in urban areas you need Defra-approved models) and they also arrange building regulations sign-off.PRThe type of wood you burn is also important according to Woodsure (woodsure.co.uk);
dry, seasoned wood will give off more heat and burn more cleanly than wet or new wood.And sourcing it locally is the best way to ensure you’re not burning imported wood that may be hiding pests that could devastate native trees.You can even avoid the back-breaking effort of chopping large chunks into kindling these days thanks to a new generation of smaller, lighter, batteryoperated chain saws that are safer than their petrol-powered predecessors.For instance Stihl (stihl.co.uk), the garden equipment company favoured by many professionals, has recently brought out a battery-powered range aimed at domestic gardeners, and many other brands have similar products.So wood-burning stoves can be a win-win-win investment: they’re good for the environment, create happiness in the home and give men a good excuse to buy a new boys’ toy. Wood Burning and Multi-Fuel Stoves, HKS Lazar Biomass Boilers We supply, install, service and repair wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, biomass boilers and associated equipment.
We have a wide range of stoves to suit every taste and budget, and we provide hearths, fire surrounds, beams and all the accessories which make a stove compliment your décor. We are the sole UK distributors for HKS Lazar pellet boilers, HKS Lazar We are Hetas, RECC and MCS certified. We do not sub-contract any services and carry out all of our own building works and installations. This gives us the flexibility we require to guarantee you are delighted. Unit 1 Garlands Trading Estate Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm Sunday and Bank Holidays we are closed but we are happy to meet you by appointment Company no. 5016096 Registered in England and wales V.A.T. no 692 4036 30Wood Burning Stove Installation Multi-Fuel and Wood Burning Stove Installation in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Surrounding Areas A wood burning stove is an efficient way to heat a room, providing warmth and style with low running costs.
In addition, because wood is considered to be a sustainable fuel, a household’s carbon foot print can be reduced. Billings provide a complete wood burning stove installation service, including full supply and fitting of hearths and fire surrounds, and are happy to advise on the most suitable wood burning stove for your room size. Our wood burning stove installation services include: Assistance in making your choice of stove Supply of the wood burning stove Assessment of the chimney flue Modifications to the flue (if required) Complete installation of the stove Wood Burning Stove Installation Photos The Importance of Professional Wood Burning Stove Installation There are many regulations and guidelines that must be adhered to when installing a wood burning stove put in place to ensure the suitability and overall safety of the appliance. Billings’ engineers have vast experience in the supply and installation of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves.
We will carry out site surveys and offer expert advice on the suitability of various stoves. All wood burning stove installations are carried out in accordance with applicable building regulations, ensuring the safe operating of the appliance and providing peace of mind to the customer. Billing Chimney and Flue Services Ltd is a solid fuel registered company under the HETAS scheme. AGAs, Rayburn and Other Cookers Solid fuel, oil and gas Aga and Rayburn appliances also require safe and efficient flues. Whether you are moving your appliance or installing a new one we can assess your requirements and deliver the flue required. Stoves and Flues for Glamping Increasingly we are being asked to supply and fit stoves for glamorous camping on semi-permanent or seasonal sites. To find out more, please see our Wood Burning Camp Stove Installation page. If you'd like a member of our team to give you a call back to discuss Wood Burning Stove Installation, please just enter your details and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.