How to save money on heating with a wood burning stove
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 вер 2022
- In this extreme inflation, rising fuel bills and a huge deficit in the amount of energy the UK needs vs what it produces, we're all looking to save money. Woodburning might be an answer for you, but it does come with a choice:
Continuing rising costs, or lots of hardworking.
The good news is it is essentially the only heating solution that you can solve on your own for free. - Розваги
Great video, I'm on my first year and have stacked and dried lots of local wood from community woodlands. This channel helped me choose a stove and great to watch all the videos on others. Thanks and keep up the good work. Really liked this Q&A :-)
Awesome, glad to hear you’ve got a system that’s working well. Thanks for the comment.
Ash and cherry both dry to under 20% moisture content in six months
Love my peanut 8. Had a couple of years and when up to temp warms up my whole downstairs no problem. 5 stars here
Glad to hear it’s working well, I enjoyed using it myself too.
Enjoyed this Q & A video style
Hi
A few months ago i let you know i ordered a dunsley avance 500.
Wide and very slim. Had itninstalled a week ago. It's awsome.
ALSO
I had a recoheat unit installed...i have to say it freaking brilliant. It blows out a jet of hot air for hours! Look it up...do a review please its really awsome and does exactly what it says on the tin. Ive paid for it and have no interest or commision....but its really fantastic at heating the room quick and also when it dies diwn. I put the pump outside and there is a noticeable hiss....but it can be turned off whenever but it great at heating the whole house...3 bed semi completey warm after an hour and 2 logs. More than happy for you to look at it in action over a beer at mine. Great informative channel. Well presented. Regards Paul
Hi Paul,
RecoHeat have just sent me one, it arrived this week!
I will be pouring over it and putting it through its paces for a couple weeks and then I’ll start planning a video or 2. I’m glad to hear the Dunspey is working well too, it’s definitely on my list the only struggle is getting any stock for reviews as stock for sales right now is a massive priority for everyone, it’s mad out there!
@@TheTortoise
Great i will look out for your review
I loved my pioneer 400. I’ve had 4 of them in the past but recently plumed for a Dik Geurts Ivar 5 so will let you know how it compares. Tough decision between another Clearview a Clock blithfield 5 a woodwarm and the Dik Geurts ivar 5 Mrs made the last call because of how easy it was to control. The Clearview fell short because I needed the bigger range of output which the Ivar 5 is at least half as much again. Loved my Clearview. Always been the Rolls Royce of stoves but the others are all catching up now.
The Ivar is certainly a lovely thing, but as you say the Clearview deserves a special place in the heart, but sadly probably the past too.
I'm new to log burning.
I'm collecting from the park.
Lots of twigs and bits of wood
Keep it up, sounds like a good start!
if you are collecting, keep your eyes on any skips you see, also pallets and neighbours gardens for unwanted timbers
Love the channel. Can you do a top 5 stoves of 2022 or similar? I really value your opinion. Thanks.
Thanks a lot. That’s a video I’m really keen to make, I will do it as soon as I can👍!
Logs should be stacked to dry somewhere where they will get lots of wind and ideally, some sunshine. So-called experts telling you to dry wood in a barn like this video where there is no breeze should be ignored.
A wooden crate or metal IBC filled with wood and covered with something over the top such as a bit of tin weighed down by bricks etc., placed in an exposed area that gets sunshine would be much more ideal - the wood would dry much faster this way. I have had good sized oak logs ready to burn (below 20% moisture content, as measured with a moisture meter) within 2 years.
This barn is open on 3 sides, so ideal for drying?
The price of netted bags of logs has rocketed as well. Last year in Tescos they were £5.50, now £6.50. certainly a very expensive way of running a log burner.
I use nets for obvious reasons, but without a doubt I wouldn’t recommend it to most people.
Lots of fallen twigs in the park.
Have a walk with a bag every day
New owner of a newbrourne 40fs multi flue hard to light starts off great then dies down quickly vents open top and bottom just dies also burning oak kiln dried house smells of smoke can hear wind in chimney is it supposed to do that please tell what doing wrong
Great video! We have some sycamore which is well seasoned from early 2021, and some willow from early 2022. It seems like the stove is much smokier when first getting lit - would you advise starting with the willow and switching to sycamore when it's up to temp, or doing the opposite but keeping the air flow down to avoid over firing?
I wouldn’t panic either way, you will find that if you start the fire upside down that the kindling and firelighters will heat the chimney establish draw and the stove will light in a much cleaner and less Smokey way. Obviously you’ll see me do that basically every time I light a stove.
Hi Gabriel - looking to buy my very first wood burning stove which will use an internal twin walled flue. Looking for something like the Hunter Allure or Bignut with maybe a 5kw output as I only need it for looks and secondary heating - simple use with a great flame. Suggestions please
hi, whats your opinion on scots pine? I am in scotland and its quite easy to get scavenging etc. But is it ok for the liner? I read in a stove manual not to burn resinous wood. Is this just a bit over the top? Or sweep more often?
The most important thing is that it is dry, I would have no issue burning pine, but I would want quite a controllable stove, as this fuel can run away with itself and even over fire an appliance, so just go steady with it.
Bear in mind that in Scandinavia they burn a huge amount of softwood without issue, they just make sure it’s dry!
Would like to hear an update on "buying wet wood". Where can you do this in UK, or South East England? Also, isn't there Gov regulations banning the sale of wet wood in 2023?
Buying wet wood is banned in small batches, but large amounts for home drying is very possible. Generally right now the way to do it is to buy from a local farmer. Ash dieback has caused huge amounts of wood to become available and generally very cheaply (even free in many cases). This will require some work on your part, but right now running a stove is potentially the cheapest heating available by far.
Made heat exchange in flue just at its hottest 325c installed 51 mm stainless pipe through the flue one above the other using rechargeable fans to blow air through getting approximately 10000 btu for nothing
That sounds like the Reco Heat product that I reviewed last year. Really cool product.
Do you move the wet wood to a shed for further drying - after being out for a year or two and before using them in the oven?
Nope. Outside in the air is where it dries, under a tarp or in a shed is often where it rots.
I’m looking for some confirmation on something, I’ve got a pioneer 400 that was installed 4 months ago and it fantastic, just about got the hang of it😊 I initially bought in seasoned logs but as I run a business selling animal feed I have a ready supply of HT unpainted pallets which I piece up while I’m at work, once I have a nice bed going in the stove I put two pallet blocks in , temperature goes up to around 450 Fahrenheit then settles back to bang on 400 where it holds for an hour before dropping slightly, they burn in the recommended heat range for the stove, are there any issues with this concerning the liner ? Some are pine but most are hardwood and everything seems ok just need someone with knowledge to confirm it.
It’s not disastrous at all. 400° is quite hot, so you could control the stove down a little more as this over time may shorten the life of some parts like baffle plates, but as you say you’re in range so it’s no big disaster. As long as it’s dry, there’s no issue from the liner, so I wouldn’t panic.
@@TheTortoise thank you for the advice, I’ll ease it down a touch 👍
All good 👍. I’m keen not over worry you, because there’s no big problem, I’m just thinking a bit critically.
Great video, we had a stove fitted this year, I live on the edge of an urban area and have tried local tree surgeons for wood, however they all said no to logs etc. Is it a case of keep trying or is there another way us city folk should be using to source wet wood 😀? Many Thanks
I think this is quite a good idea, perhaps if you offer to clear a site of there’s, of wood and log it up yourself. Keep trying 😬
Hi Gabriel,
I'm a new stove owner willing to put some effort in to keep the running costs down and hopefully enjoy some warmer winters! I've just been given a load of conifer logs by a local landscaper and I plan to cut them to size and split as you've described. I need to DIY a simple store to season the wood and I like the sound of your pallet + tarpaulin, any chance you could share a picture? Does this work even if exposed year round? Really appreciate all the videos you've made, keep up the good work!
Having done lots of research on this subject recently the best way of drying things is to forget covering them. The tarp is useful at keeping dry fuel dry, but when drying they’re actually better just left outside.
I can’t put pictures on here annoyingly, but if you stack the logs on the pallet in a circle so all the logs can get air, then this is actually the fastest drying technique. Properly cut and split them first and by the end of next summer you’ll have ideal dry fuel for the Autumn. At that point I would then perhaps stick them in a store of some sort that is covered. Ideally you cover them after a good stretch of warm, dry weather, that way you’ve got them at their best.
@@TheTortoise Thanks for this, really helpful and makes life easier. Another cheeky question if I may: Do you have a favorite splitting maul? Slightly overwhelmed by choice.
PS - have you ever considered an option on your website to allow grateful users to make donations? Just a thought. Your content is really useful.
@@user-re4hs4hh3k I would need to do some further research on splitting Mauls. I typically use very standard axes.
Thanks for the donation suggestion, it’s a really kind thought. Truth is I hadn’t considered that at all, but I suppose the shop on the website does allow you to buy some hopefully useful things which should enable us both to win! 😅
Most of the 5kw stoves say they have a heat output range of something like 3kw-5kw. Does that mean I can't turn it down below 3kw output?
Yes, the spread is normally how much heat is provided depending on temperature, within the prescribed operating temperatures. You could run a stove below that, but things would be running less efficiently. You’ll always find as a stove goes out that it will obviously drop below operating temperature, but when fuel is burning out it generally produces almost no smoke at all. It’s when newly burning fuel is closed down to a slumber that you get particulate and smoke issues. Which again is why my hamster technique for overnight running is so good, because it doesn’t dramatically increase particulates.
Hi ya , love your videos ! If you test these stoves at home do you have to get a hetas fitter to install each stove ?
I am HETAS trained and my brother fits everyday, so if paperwork is needed it’s not a problem.
Oak is an inch a year to dry. A 6" log is thee for 6 years to season. Ash is not far behind. Splitting to about an 1.5 inches thick (any width though) will mean you can get it dry in one good season. Also, get a moisture meter so you test the wood in the middle of a freshly split log and educate yourself. Chainsaws are dangerous and you can die if used incorrectly. Get training. Make sure you rope seals etc are in good order and the flue is kept clean. It's a vast subject and you did well to get as much as you did in this video. Well done.
Just finished my processing for next year's wood 🪵 all now stacked in store under roof 8 ft by 10 x 6 ft tall
Where is your shop? I need one to heat my very small to bed home on a daily basis and have the chouce to boil a kettle or slow cook. Thank you. These videos are so informative.
I stepped down from running the company and I deliberately distance myself so that I can maintain the impartial nature of the channel. Sorry I couldn’t recommend a shop.
@@TheTortoise Thank you Gabriel, understood. In that case perhaps some pointers as to purchasing for a long burn time to use as main heat source topped up with electric storage heaters on economy 7. I like the Carnwood Bambridge and Dean Forge Croft or maybe Dartmoor? Traditinal style suits porperty best. Total novice. I can find a stockist for any you may suggest looking at. I've learned so much like distance from comustibles as it will need to be close to the wall, freestanding. I applaud your decision, and admire yor stance.
@@esme6346 the Charnwood and Dean Forge stoves are great for your needs. The Burley is another one you could consider which isn’t too modern. With regard to distances it’s always best to remove combustible surfaces from the hearth area as things can fall out of a stove during re-loading and if that were pushed to the back of a hearth, then the stove’s distances become irrelevant. I realise this is unlikely, but if you were to sell your house it’s then out of your control. If it is just distance from a plug socket then fair enough, but I would caution against fitting a stove infront of a timber framed wall for example.
I hope that helps.
@@TheTortoise Thank you so much. It will be freestanding, back to a wall party wall, vertical flue, nothing close by, no TV so main focal point. Really look forward to moving in & creating a cozy little home. Grateful for your spending the time. Best regards to you and family 🔥🙏
@@TheTortoise that's a very very good thing to hear proves all info is genuine and not sales driven
Please may you tell us which stove burns one net for fifteen hours 😊
When I test. I will get a stove up to temperature, so it will already have heat and fuel in it, and it will then be run at the lower end of operating temperature on 1 net. When I did this I achieved that area of burn time in the Dean Forge Croft Junior, however that was in the older version. The new version has added tertiary air, which has reduced the burn time slightly. The Heta stoves also have very long burn times.
Great advice, really helpful. I am still searching for a stove. May I ask what is the one in this video? I love the front guard on it, they are normally quite plain or non existent. Many thanks.
That is the Clearview Pioneer 400. It’s a dream of a stove, you can check out my review here:
ua-cam.com/video/8_Zua4okds0/v-deo.html
@@TheTortoise thanks for your help. You’ve been great. I ordered a few bits from your shop. I didn’t order the matches (which I loved) as I don’t think you sell refill matches to top up the glass bottle. I’m unsure if normal matches would strike on the bottom of it. 😊
@@shazzam532 thanks a lot!
If it’s useful to say, any matches will strike so any 100mm matches suit fine. Perhaps I should get some refills 🤔
@@TheTortoise Packs of refill matches would sell it for me !!
@@shazzam532 I haven’t obviously got them yet, but this was the first thing I found when I googled it:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1241670939/400pcs-or-320pcs-scented-candle?gbraid=0AAAAADutTMeBEIl94Pv_25sOUvw2JqzYu&gpla=1&gao=1&CjwKCAiA3pugBhAwEiwAWFzwdX7nFbwdxCRMDdimd6_kCWa_EL9Mpkg1ll7QRERRAdw4PdaCzSwZURoCdrQQAvD_BwE_k_&gclid=CjwKCAiA3pugBhAwEiwAWFzwdX7nFbwdxCRMDdimd6_kCWa_EL9Mpkg1ll7QRERRAdw4PdaCzSwZURoCdrQQAvD_BwE&variation0=3118569930&variation1=3145350141
What is your opinion of compressed sawdust heatlogs?
To be honest, mostly I think they should be avoided. Normal wood is generally cheaper and is far more reliable, compressed logs are very hit and miss and always have widely ranging results in terms of burn time, ash production and heat output.
Hi Gabriel, can you do a video on pros and cons of overnight burning? I’ve read various opinions some quite strongly against but many people wanting to do so? Appreciate the review videos, any update on your flue thermometers? Paul
That’s a good video idea, I might do that quite quickly, thanks for that. Apologies on the thermometers to be honest they could take a month 😬.
A month might fit in well, we’ve secured our Allure 4 at a very good price (quite coincidentally from a shop you’re quite familiar with but I won’t mention) however our installer isn’t available until mid November. Is your bumblebee match bottle from Etsy? Might be a Christmas gift for my wife!
@@ricotalon thanks a lot, I think my wife did buy it from Etsy!
Is the pioneer the best stove?
Not necessarily. It may be for some people, but there are lots out there nowadays. It would depend on what you’re wanting to do with a stove:
What are you burning (mainly wood or coal)?
How will you use it (evenings and weekends, seriously or constantly)?
How big is the space you need to heat and is that space well insulated and closed off, or open plan, old etc?
You all seem very picky about what type of wood, Alder is the most common wood in the UK , Second only to recycled construction timber, both Ur
Where can I get a tortoise thermometer.??
Got it:
thetortoise.net/products/the-tortoise-stove-thermometer
Can we have a test of Chimney Typhoon Power Sweeping Set please?
You definitely need to be very cautious with those in a lined chimney. In the wrong hands it’s relatively easy to damage a metal liner. If you’ve got a masonry liner (in good condition) then still exercise some caution, but it’ll work.
If you’re sweeping your own chimney, then I would stick to manual rods ideally. Sweeping isn’t too hard, but it does take a certain amount of experience to know what chimneys can take power sweeping and which ones can be damaged relatively easily.
Aaa ok. I see you explained everything here. Thank you.
@@TheTortoise can you recommend anything for sweeping chimneys from the inside? Is there any other safe option {on my own option) without going on the roof? I'm having new stove this is why all those questions.
@@L-81 I would buy the same sort of thing, but I would make sure if I had a 6” liner then I’d buy a 6” brush head. The main thing in the average persons hands is to avoid attaching it to a drill. Just sweep and turn by hand and you’ll be fine, power sweeping is something even experienced sweeps get wrong. They always blame the liner of course, but flues will naturally last a lot longer without having brushes spinning round at 1600 rpm. All it has to do is catch on a bit of metal (commonly from a dent, from how the liner was dragged down the chimney) and even if not straight away, I’ve encountered lots of situations where sweeps have completely destroyed metal flues particularly.
@@L-81 I’ve replied to another of your comments, hope it’s useful.
buying! wood?? BUYING??? lol. forage forage forage 😀
Always best if you can find dry and untreated.
I dry my wood on top of the fire for the next burn
I have definitely encountered that going very wrong, but I’m sure you’ve got a way of preventing too much damage 😆
Why does my man sound like boris Johnson ? Great advice tho
Oh no 🤯. That’s hilarious 😆
hamptden
Electric cars and the degradation of the the tyres and brakes......probably best you fact check. Apart from that all cool.....BTW you'll burn anything if you're really cold.
I have fact checked that and it is correct, I then checked other studies and cooking a roast in your house seems astounding the differences in particulates into the home were huge. But as you say, when it gets cold, needs definitely must!
Have a 2015 Nissan Leaf. 43k in and still on original tyres and brakes also 93% health on the battery.
💪 pքɾօʍօʂʍ