Four Seasons Chimneys & Stoves

Log Burner And Multi-Fuel Stove Safety – Things To Know

Four Seasons Chimneys & Stoves — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:32:16 +0000

Installing a multi-fuel stove or a log burner can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your home; it can also quickly become one of the most dangerous if the appliance is not used correctly. These pieces of equipment can be incredibly safe but it is essential that they are used as intended because after all, where there is fire, there is a risk of an accident.

But there is no need to worry too much; our handy guide on the most important log burner and multi-fuel stove safety tips will ensure that you can enjoy your appliance.

How To Use A Multi-Fuel Stove Or Log Burner Correctly

It might be easy to assume that once your appliance is installed, you can simply throw on some fuel and get started. While there may be some truth in this, owners must ensure that they use the correct type of fuel, have the appropriate ventilation system in place, keep family members clear of the fire and much more.

Using The Right Fuel For Your Stove

If you purchase a log burner, sometimes called a wood burning stove, then, as the name suggests, you will only be able to burn wood. Multi-fuel stoves, on the other hand, can be used for burning wood, coal, peat and smokeless fuels. If you live in a smoke control area, most people would opt for a multi-fuel stove as these typically allow you to burn more permitted fuels. But, provided that a log burner is DEFRA exempt, these can be used.

In any case, burning the correct type of fuel for your stove is essential. There are many different types of wood that you can use but some are not suitable for use in this type of equipment.

Avoiding Painted Or Treated Wood

When you burn wood that has been treated or painted, there will be a whole host of chemicals burning too. These will convert into gas and will be released into the air, potentially proving toxic to anyone who breathes in the fumes.

Even if you manage to get away without breathing in any of the gases, some of the remnants will remain in the ash and you may be exposed to these during clean-up. While there may be short-term effects such as difficulty breathing, over-exposure to this could lead to long-term health problems with the airways including lung cancer.

Kiln Dried And Seasoned Wood

If you purchase wood from suppliers who prepare the logs especially for use in log burners and other domestic situations, then you will come across two choices; kiln-dried or seasoned. Now, both of these are suitable for use in log burners and multi-fuel stoves, but most would agree that kiln dried logs produce a better burn.

This is because they have been more thoroughly dried out and since logs need to have less than 20% moisture to burn efficiently, kiln-dried are more suitable. However, seasoned logs, which are left to air dry over a period of years, are still very popular for stove owners. It is also entirely possible to season your own wood and may choose to do this.

Using The Right Amount Of Fuel

It can be tempting to overload your stove with as much fuel as possible to save time putting it on over the course of its use. However, this can be detrimental to the operation of your multi-fuel stove or log burner since the air circulation will be dangerously reduced.

Fire needs oxygen to burn and stoves are designed in such a way that air can freely move around, further fueling the fire. But if you fill all of the available space with additional logs or coal, you are cutting off the air supply. Not only will this prevent your fire from thriving but it could also cause the stove to overheat and become damaged, often beyond repair. Since you have likely invested a fair amount of cash into installing your stove, we appreciate that you won’t want to have to replace it anytime soon.

Each stove will have a different fuel capacity and this will be detailed in your user manual. Before firing it up, always check what is the appropriate amount of fuel.

Chimney Maintenance

What many people do not realise when initially installing this type of equipment is that regular maintenance of your chimney is essential. The good news is that you won’t need to perform any of this maintenance yourself unless you really want to, but hiring a professional chimney sweep is the best option.

These people are trained to correctly and safely clean your chimney so that it does not become blocked with soot residue or debris. The cost of hiring a chimney sweep comes in at around £90 per visit but since it only needs to be done every six months, it isn’t going to break the bank. For more information on the importance of having your chimney swept, take a look at our guide here.

Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

As of 2010, it is a legal requirement for all log burner owners to have a carbon monoxide detector installed. But even if it wasn’t the law, we would absolutely suggest installing this small yet crucial piece of equipment. It is also important to point out that your carbon monoxide detector must be placed in the same room as the wood-burning stove.

Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the silent killer. When fuel is burned, various gases are produced with carbon monoxide being one of them. For the most part, your flue or chimney will handle this gas and it will be released into the air. However, if, for some reason, your chimney malfunctions or becomes blocked, this harmful gas could be dispersed around your home.

When installing a carbon monoxide detector, you should always have the work carried out by a registered professional. This person will have the correct qualifications to ensure that the detector is fully functional and will be able to check everything once the installation is complete. This may incur an additional cost when setting up your home for a stove, but it is one that could potentially save your life.

Correct Ventilation

As we have already discussed, a stove needs a good amount of airflow to operate safely. This means that having appropriate ventilation in place is crucial. Without this, you would struggle to maintain a fire, and even if you did, the room would quickly fill with smoke.

For smaller stoves, namely those that are under 5kW, a ventilation system doesn’t need to be installed. However, for anything above this, you will need appropriate ventilation. Things can get a little complicated since the type and amount of ventilation you need will depend on how airtight the house is.

Furthermore, if correct ventilation is not installed, there is a risk of harmful gases coming into your home, such as the carbon monoxide we discussed in the previous section.

Additional Safety Tips

As well as making sure that your wood burner or multi-fuel stove is set up correctly with the right fuel, there are other things you should consider when using the stove. Most of these require nothing more than your common sense.

For example, it is imperative that children and pets are not allowed near the stove while it is burning. It may be useful to place a fireguard around the area, especially if you have smaller children who may not yet be able to follow instructions.

Furthermore, you should never attempt to operate the stove if you are under the influence of any substances. After an evening out during winter and one too many glasses of wine, it can be tempting to light the fire and warm up, however, your coordination and focus will be affected and this could lead to a serious accident.

As well as having your carbon monoxide metre in place, it is also important to have smoke detectors fitted. In addition, you should have a fire extinguisher close to hand so that, in the event of an emergency, you are able to quickly and effectively put out the fire.

Finally, we would always recommend removing any flammable items from within the vicinity of the stove. While the fire will typically be contained within the appliance, there is always an associated risk

Conclusion

When you first install a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, the excitement of getting your first fire burning can cause many people to dive in without thinking about safety. These types of appliances will usually function without any issues, however, if the simple safety rules that we have discussed in this post are not followed, there is a risk of accident or injury.

The post Log Burner And Multi-Fuel Stove Safety – Things To Know appeared first on Four Seasons Chimneys & Stoves.

Why You Should Have Your Chimney Swept Regularly

Four Seasons Chimneys & Stoves — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:26:30 +0000

If we asked you to think of a chimney sweep, we would bet our bottom dollar you’d picture Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. While this endearing portrayal of the job may be more fairytale than reality, the reality is that a chimney sweep should be visiting your home more often than you might have thought.

Your chimney is essentially a vent for excess dust, soot, smoke and gases to escape from. If you don’t want these things coming into your home because of the dirt, mess and toxins, then you aren’t going to want them building up inside your chimney. But what a lot of homeowners don’t realise is that it doesn’t take long for a residue to develop in the chimney and this can be potentially hazardous.

There are many reasons that hiring a chimney sweep as part of your stove system maintenance is essential and in this guide, we will be giving you everything you need to know.

How Often Should I Have My Chimney Swept?

If you’ve only started using your chimney since the installation of your wood burner or multi-fuel stove, then you could be forgiven for thinking that hiring a chimney sweep isn’t something you would need to do that often. But the truth is that this is a job that should be done at least one every 12 months. That being said, most professionals would agree that a biannual clean is the best option.

Not only will this keep your chimney functioning safely and to the best of its ability, but it will also prevent hard work down the line. If the residue inside the chimney is allowed to build up over time, it will be much more difficult to remove and therefore, more costly.

Speaking of cost, one of the things that you should factor in when considering purchasing a stove are the maintenance costs. Having your chimney swept should be included in the budget, but you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the work doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

In fact, most chimney sweeps will charge just £60 to £100 for a single clean, with the average cost being around the £90 mark. If you consider that this needs to be done twice a year, and you would pay the average amount, you could break it down into monthly payments of just £15!

A lot of people wonder whether they can sweep their own chimney and while this is possible, we wouldn’t recommend it. Sweeping a chimney can, primarily, be a very messy job and this can be frustrating. Furthermore, for an inexperienced person, the process may take a considerable amount of time, not to mention that you will need special equipment to get the job done properly.

While there are things you can hire to make chimney sweeping easier, such as chimney vacuums, these are typically only suitable for very well-maintained chimneys. Typically, using professional brushes is the best option but this can be very physically demanding.

Why It Is Important To Have Your Chimney Swept

We have talked about the fact that residues and debris can build up inside the chimney and cause it to become blocked, which could be hazardous. But there are much more detailed reasons that you should be having your chimney regularly swept; let’s take a closer look at these.

Prevent Chimney Fires

As your stove burns, flammable materials like tar will build up in the interior surfaces of your chimney and this can lead to the chimney becoming a potential fire hazard. Nobody wants to go through the trauma of a house fire, and yet chimney sweeping is so widely overlooked.

Furthermore, if there is a lot of debris and residue in the chimney, this can cause it to become blocked which poses a serious fire risk.

Protect Your Health

Depending on what you are burning, there could be a variety of chemicals coming from the fire. In modern homes, smokeless fuels are often preferred but this doesn’t mean that the fire itself doesn’t produce chemical gases that could be fatal to your and your family if they enter your home.

Fire produces various gases but one of the most lethal is carbon monoxide. If your chimney is not regularly swept, it will become blocked and this means that these dangerous gases could enter your home. Carbon monoxide is odourless and is often known as the silent killer with people dying because they have unknowingly been inhaling this lethal gas.

While having your chimney swept regularly will massively reduce the risk of carbon monoxide flooding back into the home, it is always a sensible idea to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Protect Your Home

Most homes in the UK are made from brick and this material is incredibly robust. It can withstand high levels of heat and will last for many hundreds of years when properly cared for. However, owing to the heat, debris, gases and residues that will build upon the internal walls of the chimney, it doesn’t take long for the masonry to begin degrading.

Paying the small fee for having your chimney regularly swept is far more preferable than having to fork out for detailed repair works on your chimney. Furthermore, if the masonry is very damaged, there may be a risk of collapse which would pose a threat to your and your family.

Keep The Chimney Free From Debris

We have impressed the importance of removing debris and blockages from the chimney but our focus has largely been on build-up from the stove itself. But did you know that other things can get inside that could pose just as much of a risk?

Birds will often nest in chimneys, especially those that aren’t used and this can cause a serious blockage. What’s more, it is not uncommon for chimneys to be filled with cobwebs, dead birds and other natural materials.

If you move into a new home that has a chimney, particularly an used one, it is essential that you book an appointment with a chimney sweep as soon as possible after moving in.

Improve The Stove’s Efficiency

When you install a wood burner or multi-fuel stove, one of the most important things to think about is how efficient the stove is. Most modern stoves are designed to be fuel-efficient but this can dwindle if the stove is fitted to a chimney that is partially blocked with soot residue and debris. A clean chimney that is free from debris will produce the most efficient output.

Choosing A Chimney Sweep

There are many people out there advertising chimney sweeping services and, for the most part, you will find that you are provided with a professional and detailed service. However, there are those out there that do not have the correct training to complete this delicate work and so it always pays to do your research before choosing a sweep.

One of the first things you should be looking for is a chimney sweep who is registered with the National Association Of Chimney Sweeps (NACS). It can also help you read reviews of the person to find out what previous clients have thought of their work.

It is also important to ask questions so that you feel confident that the sweep knows what they are doing. If somebody cannot answer even your most basic questions, it might be best to look for someone else to complete the work.

Conclusion

Hiring a chimney sweep twice a year is one of the best ways to keep your chimney clean and functioning at its best. While it is possible to clean the chimney yourself, this can often be a messy and time-consuming job that is best left to the professionals. The process won’t cost a lot and there are plenty of reasons that staying on top of your chimney’s cleanliness will be beneficial.

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How To Choose The Right Multi-Fuel Or Wood Burning Stove For You

Four Seasons Chimneys & Stoves — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:15:17 +0000

If you are considering purchasing a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove for your home then we know how excited you will be to begin searching for the perfect product. However, it is important to keep in mind that an investment like this requires careful consideration and there are certain things that you should think about before committing to any particular stove.

We meet a lot of people who are taking the first steps towards improving their home with a stove and we feel very confident that we know what to look for in a wood-burning stove. In this guide, we will share our top tips that will help you choose the right multi-fuel or wood-burning stove for you.

What To Look For In A Wood Burning Or Multi-Fuel Stove

Everybody is different and as such, the type of stove that might suit your home may not be as compatible with the next buyer. This means that carefully thinking about each of the following points will always keep you on track to finding the right product for your needs. If, after reading these tips, you still have questions, feel free to contact us to discuss your options.

Fuel

When it comes to fuel, there are a lot of things to think about. But the main concern for most consumers is what type of fuel they will be burning. As the name may suggest, a wood-burning stove is suitable only for burning wood, whereas a multi-fuel stove will allow you to use a variety of fuel types.

The type that you choose will depend on several factors. We will discuss some of these now but for a more detailed look into the pros and cons of each type of stove, check out our guide on the multi-fuel stove vs wood burning stove.

Initially, you may want to think about how efficient the stove is. For example, a wood burner is largely considered to be more efficient owing to the optimised features that are made especially for this type of fuel. If you intend to only use wood then we would recommend a stove designed for this purpose.

On the other hand, if you would like to experiment with different types of fuel such as coal or peat then your multi-fuel stove will be designed for this purpose. These stoves typically work better with smokeless fuels and have features that will optimise the performance when used with such products.

Storage Of Fuel

Depending on how frequently you will be using your stove, you may have to store a considerable amount of fuel. For log burners, it is essential that you have somewhere dry to store the wood. If wood contains more than 20% moisture, it can be much more challenging to burn and will give off a lot of smoke.

If you are going to be using coal for a multi-fuel stove, it is possible to purchase a coal store and these are relatively affordable. The good thing with these coal bunkers is that they come in varying sizes so even if your outdoor space is limited, you will likely be able to find one to meet your requirements.

When comparing a log store vs a coal bunker, users must consider the placement of the store. A log store can also come in varying sizes and it is entirely possible to craft your own. However, since it is imperative that the logs do not become wet, you must look at placing the store in the driest possible area.

Since a coal bunker is typically made from plastic and is all but impenetrable for water, a log store is generally made from wood. This means that if it is heavily exposed to the elements, the logs inside could begin to soak up moisture and begin to rot. For this reason, your log store should be protected with both a roof as well as ground protection to prevent water from seeping into the logs from underneath. With that in mind, your wood store will also need excellent airflow.

There are some stoves that will have a built-in wood store and these are ideal for people who only need to store a small amount of wood at any one time.

While you can, in theory, buy coal and logs by the bag to solve your storage problems, you will typically find that the cost gets lower the more you buy. For this reason, a lot of stove owners prefer to buy in bulk.

Availability Of Fuel

In most parts of the UK, it is relatively easy to have fuel delivered to your home. With such a wide array of fuels available on online marketplaces like Amazon, you can order fuel in the evening and it will arrive the next day.

However, a lot of people prefer to use local businesses such as wood yards and in this case, you will need to check out your local suppliers and what they offer. Regardless of whether you are looking for wood or coal, it can be useful to have a consistent local supplier who can deliver fuel on a regular basis.

Fuel Cost

One of the main reasons that more and more people are turning to a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove to heat their homes is to save on their energy bills. This is a great way to remain thrifty but you should consider how much it will cost to run the stove; different fuels come at varying costs.

On the whole, you can expect to pay anywhere between £110-£120 for enough wood to last half of winter. According to Moneyhub, owners will require between six and ten cubic metres of wood to see them through a harsh winter.

In contrast, you can expect to pay around £420 for 1000kg of smokeless fuel. The rate at which you will consume this will vary depending on the time of year and other heat sources in the home. But, as a general rule of thumb, 25kg of smokeless fuel will last a couple of days.

In addition to thinking about the cost of the fuel itself, you must also factor in any delivery charges that may apply.

Aesthetics

Nobody wants to install an ugly stove in their home but what appeals to one person may be horrific to another. We have a huge range of stoves, each with its own aesthetic appeal and it is vital that you take your time to look at the different styles to see what would fit into your home.

Heat Output Required

The whole point of installing a stove is to heat the room, however, if you purchase a stove that is too small for the space in which it will be installed, you won’t feel the full benefit. The heat output of a stove is given in kW for this reason, it is crucial that you take the time to calculate the correct size of stove you will need.

This might seem a little daunting but essentially, the process involves thinking about the dimensions of the room and comparing this with the heat output and ability of any particular stove. But we know that this can be tricky to figure out, so we have designed a stove size calculator to make things easier. Simply input the room dimensions and the type of insulation you have to find out what kW your stove needs to be.

Efficiency

When you purchase a stove, there will typically be an efficiency rating given but this can mean very little if you do not understand what it is referring to.

The efficient rating refers to the amount of heat that is wasted by going directly up the chimney as opposed to into the room. The more efficient a stove is, the better it will heat the room and the less you will spend on fuel.

Smoke Control Areas

In the United Kingdom, there are several regions that have been declared Smoke Control Areas. If you live in one of these areas, you are not permitted to have smoke coming from your chimney unless you are using one of the permitted fuels and typically, using a DEFRA exempt stove will be essential as you will have more choice of fuel.

In a smoke control area, many people will opt for a multi-fuel burner as this will allow them to burn smokeless fuels like the many smokeless coals available. If you are not sure whether you live in a smoke control area, you should check with your local council who will be able to advise you.

Location Of The Stove

While a multi-fuel stove or a log burner is not the largest appliance, you will need to make sure that you have the correct amount of space for it. Furthermore, you will also need to consider whether the appliance will be freestanding or if it will be installed into a pre-existing fireplace.

If you do not have a fireplace and wish to have one installed, this will also require you to think about where it will be located and its size.

Furthermore, a wood burner or multi-fuel stove will require a hearth. This does not need to be a huge installation but recommendations for its size are that the hearth has a minimum depth of 125mm.

Flue

When using this type of equipment, any smoke, gases or excess heat needs somewhere to go and this requires the use of a flue or chimney. If you have one, it may be possible to use this for your new stove.

However, you should also consider that a flue may need to be installed and this can require some extensive construction work. It is important to think about how much disruption this will cause, whether you have the correct space and the cost.

Cost

Wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves aren’t as expensive to initially purchase as you might think. Prices begin at around £800 and can go up into the thousands for a larger or more high-end model.

But as well as thinking about the cost of the stove, you will need to consider how much it will cost to install and whether you will need to pay for additional work such as installing a fireplace or flue.

Typical installation of a multi-fuel stove or a log burner can cost anywhere up to £1000, but this will vary from person to person.

Summary

Installing a wood burner or a multi-fuel stove is an exciting time but before you dive in and commit to anything, it is essential to consider a few things.

Homeowners must think carefully about the type of fuel they want to use as well as looking at whether they live in a smoke control area. Other things to factor in include the location of the stove and how much it will cost to install. Taking the additional time to think about the things we have discussed in this guide will allow you to make a decision that will benefit you and your home for many years to come.

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