There’s been a lot of buzz about wood burning stoves recently – HETAS, the official government body for the approval of biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, are installing 60% more wood burning stoves than they were seven years ago.
But what is behind this wood burning revolution? Of course, people install wood burning stoves for a wide range of reasons; some yearn for the cosiness that comes from having a real fire, while others tout their carbon neutral credentials (although forestry processes do involve some carbon emissions). However, some of the biggest reasons an increasing number of people are turning to wood burning stoves are financial: namely, the promise of reduced energy bills and the value they can add to a property.
If you’ve heard the rumours and are here because you’re considering making the switch to a wood burning stove, we’re here to help. Here, we outline exactly how a wood burning stove can save you money and add value to your property.
Save money with a wood burning stove
A lot of people come to us asking “Do wood burning stoves save money?” – and we’re here to tell you that yes, they can! Indeed, according to some wood-burner devotees, a wood-burning stove can cut your energy bills by around 25%.
This is because wood costs less to burn than many other forms of fuel. Indeed, according to recent figures, burning wood pellets (a common fuel for wood burning stoves) costs just 2.5p per kilowatt hour, whereas gas costs 4p and electricity 11p.
In addition to this, if you’re debating between installing a wood burning fireplace or stove, it’s important to note that wood burning stoves are significantly more energy efficient than open fires – around 70-90%, as opposed to 20%. As such, a wood burning stove requires less fuel and so has lower running costs than a wood burning fireplace.
However, it is important to remember that it can take years for a wood burning stove to cover the initial costs of installation, which can cost upwards of £2,000. Switching to a wood burning stove should be viewed as a long-term financial investment, rather than a quick way to make savings.
How to add value to your property with a wood burning stove
In addition to saving you money on energy bills, a wood burning stove can also add value to your property. This is because a wood burning stove will appeal to potential buyers on several counts:
- Character – a wood burning stove creates a unique focal point within a home
- Aesthetics – wood burning stoves add a touch of flair to a building’s interior design
- Low energy costs – as conventional fuel costs continue to rise, heating costs are going to play an increasingly important role in potential house buyers’ purchasing decisions
Indeed, according to some estimates, a feature fireplace can increase a home’s total value by as much as 5% – a figure almost certainly likely to cover the initial cost of installing the wood burning stove, and then some.
We hope we’ve helped you see that, not only do wood burning stoves save money, but they can also hold benefits for homeowners wondering how to add value to their property.
Interested in making the switch to a wood burning stove? Browse our complete collection of wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves today. We offer a wide range of leading brands, not mention free UK delivery and a price match promise on all of our products.
