I am considering the pro's and cons of getting a wood burner fitted to offset the cost of gas central heating (which I intend to keep).
The only option I have available to me is an inset wood burner, as opposed to a free standing one. The inset wood burner would be installed into the space vacated by our old gas simulation fireplace at the bottom of a chimney stack on a double brick outside wall.
Discussion thoughts 1./
If properly insulated, how economical would a modern inset wood burner be compared to a free standing one that is not inset of course?
Discussion thoughts 2./
Has anyone done a cost analysis over a year before and after the fitting of a wood burner? i.e. gas usage drop in kw/h, against the amount of wood burnt in cubic metre's. I ask the question in terms of quantity of fuel burnt rather than the cost of the fuel because the price of wood and and especially gas, are subject to fluctuation and could therefore skew results considerably. I realise any results are dependant on type of wood burnt(and how well seasoned), how efficient your burner is, whether it's an inset burner or not, and maybe whether it's set in/on an outside wall. However, it would be useful to a have a rule of thumb if anyone has ever analysed this for themselves. Fundamentally, I am trying to assess if I can save enough money to claw back the cost of fitting the wood burner over a number of years, and how many years that might take. I intend to use the wood burner enough to burn through 3 cubic meters of firewood per winter which I can buy for £340.
Discussion thoughts 3./
I realise hardwood takes longer than softwood to season. Presumably, hardwood burns for longer than softwood, and therefore in theory provides better economy on a cost/burn time basis. If this true, has anyone had experience with both types of wood and been able to draw any conclusion regarding the comparative number of hardwood /softwood logs burnt over a set period?
Thanks for reading,
Regards Pete.
The only option I have available to me is an inset wood burner, as opposed to a free standing one. The inset wood burner would be installed into the space vacated by our old gas simulation fireplace at the bottom of a chimney stack on a double brick outside wall.
Discussion thoughts 1./
If properly insulated, how economical would a modern inset wood burner be compared to a free standing one that is not inset of course?
Discussion thoughts 2./
Has anyone done a cost analysis over a year before and after the fitting of a wood burner? i.e. gas usage drop in kw/h, against the amount of wood burnt in cubic metre's. I ask the question in terms of quantity of fuel burnt rather than the cost of the fuel because the price of wood and and especially gas, are subject to fluctuation and could therefore skew results considerably. I realise any results are dependant on type of wood burnt(and how well seasoned), how efficient your burner is, whether it's an inset burner or not, and maybe whether it's set in/on an outside wall. However, it would be useful to a have a rule of thumb if anyone has ever analysed this for themselves. Fundamentally, I am trying to assess if I can save enough money to claw back the cost of fitting the wood burner over a number of years, and how many years that might take. I intend to use the wood burner enough to burn through 3 cubic meters of firewood per winter which I can buy for £340.
Discussion thoughts 3./
I realise hardwood takes longer than softwood to season. Presumably, hardwood burns for longer than softwood, and therefore in theory provides better economy on a cost/burn time basis. If this true, has anyone had experience with both types of wood and been able to draw any conclusion regarding the comparative number of hardwood /softwood logs burnt over a set period?
Thanks for reading,
Regards Pete.