Save on costs and carbon this winter

Save on costs and carbon this winter

With the energy price cap currently at £1,971 and a further predicted hike of 51% due this October, coinciding exactly with the time that most UK households tend to turn on their central heating, now is the time to find ways to save money on home heating bills and reduce reliance on the national supply grids for power and gas.

Among the range of benefits offered by modern wood burning stoves, their ability to help significantly reduce heating bills and carbon emissions top the list of advantages. Plus, by replacing an open fire with a modern Eco-design compliant wood burning stove, up to a 90% reduction in particulate matter emissions can also be achieved.

New data from Gemserve* shows that homes with gas central heating that adopt zonal heating this winter (using a wood burning stove while turning down the gas central heating to 18oC for a 3-hour period during winter evenings, on average five times a week) will save on average £113 per year. This is the equivalent of an 8.5% saving on heating bills.

And it’s not just our bank balance that benefits, our carbon footprint can be seen to be lower too.  Burning wood for domestic heating is approximately 1/10 as carbon intensive as gas or electricity. Using renewable, sustainably sourced wood fuel instead of gas results in typical carbon savings of over half a tonne of CO2e/year*.

Andy Hill, Chair of the Stove Industry Alliance, comments:

“It’s important to note that these savings are calculated using the current April 2022 price cap so there is the opportunity to save even more money on home heating come this October. Anyone that currently uses an open fire or much older, basic stove at home should think about upgrading to an Eco-design stove such as a clearSkies certified model to take advantage of these savings and become much more self-sufficient in the process.”

Burning wood for heat on a modern Eco-design stove also has the advantage of ensuring readily available heating in the event of power cuts and grid outages. Andy added:

“Not only are consumers having to face eye-watering home energy bills this winter, but last winter’s storms also led to prolonged power and gas grid outages in some parts of the country. Being without heating altogether is a very real concern for many of us. A modern wood burning stove offers a reliable and affordable way to heat our homes.”

*Source: Domestic Burning, Household Bills and the Environment an analysis by Gemserve, commissioned by CPL Industries, April 2022

SIA Top Tips

  • Choose an Eco-design compliant wood burning stove such as a clearSkies certified appliance. If you currently use an open fire or an older, very basic wood burning stove, i.e. one that is 10 or more years old, consider upgrading. A modern Eco-design compliant wood burning stove releases up to 90% less emissions than an open fire and can be up to 80% less than some older stoves. Your local SIA Retail Group member can help advise on the best stove for you and your family.
  • If you live in a Smoke Control Area, your stove will also need to be Defra exempt. All clearSkies Level 3 and above models are certified as Defra exempt.
  • Visit your local stove retailer for guidance on choosing the right size stove for your property and for a detailed installation quote. You can find your nearest SIA Retail Group member showroom here.
  • Ensure your stove is fitted and maintained by an appropriately qualified competent person such as one who iHETAS or OFTEC
  • Ensure you use quality wood fuel. Look for the Ready to Burn logo to ensure your wood logs are at or below 20% moisture content. Never used chemically treated wood or burn waste on your stove
  • Have your chimney swept at least once a year by a registered sweep. The Federation of British Chimney Sweeps has links to all the main sweep associations. Chimney sweeps are a valuable source of information for good practice and advice – and they are happy to engage and encourage you to “Speak to a Sweep”.
  • Keep your stove in tip top condition by having it regularly serviced.

Editor’s Notes:

  • The Stove Industry Alliance was formed in 2008 and is a trade association of stove manufacturers, distributors and retailers, wood fuel suppliers, flue and component manufacturers and other interested industry bodies.
  • With over 40 manufacturing members and over 60 retail members, the SIA represents the stove industry in discussion with government departments such as Defra and BEIS, Welsh Government, Scottish Government, and the Greater London Authority.
  • The SIA represents the UK in CEFACD, the European Committee of Manufacturers of Domestic Heating and Cooking Appliances and engages openly with all stakeholders.
  • Please contact Erica Malkin SIA Communications Manager on 07891 097842 or erica@stoveindustryalliance.com for further comment on this press release.
  • Further information on the work of the SIA can be found at stoveindustryalliance.com

(Article curtesy of the Stove Alliance Industry. To find out more click on the following link: https://stoveindustryalliance.com/save-on-costs-and-carbon-this-winter/)