Wood burner in living room

It’s not only the energy crisis that is creating unprecedented demand for log-burners: clean-burn technology, app-based controls and new designs fuelled by alternatives to wood are also transforming possibilities.

According to the Stove Industry Alliance, seasoned logs are now the least expensive domestic heating fuel, costing 74% less per kWh than electric and 21% less than gas. The Nottingham Energy Partnership has also found that using a modern Ecodesign wood-burning stove costs 29% less to run than an air-source heat pump.

Leaps and bounds in stove technology are also fuelling demand, but how clean are they, given the concerns about particulate levels? The current generation of wood-burning stoves are so much more efficient, consuming less fuel to generate more heat, and they are much cleaner.

The key move in this area has been the introduction of Ecodesign regulations, which came into force a year ago. All stoves manufactured after January 1, 2022, must be Ecodesign compliant. A modern Ecodesign-compliant wood-burning stove emits up to 90% fewer particulates than an open fire and up to 80% less than an old, basic model.

If you live in a smoke-control area, your stove must also be Defra exempt, but the good news is that there are options for ‘ultra’ clean-burn models. Turner & Wilson sell a range of stoves which are Ecodesign ready and certified by ClearSkies, a UK-wide independent emissions and energy-performance programme designed to help lower emissions and improve air quality. An appliance marked ClearSkies level 3 and above includes Defra exemption.

Oakleaf Stoves - Handale & Langley Multi Fuel Stoves

Clean-burn technology comes in a number of forms. Most are based on careful control and direction of the air coming into the stove to achieve optimum burning efficiency. Then the volatile by-products emitted by the initial burning are reignited and burnt again in the fire. This double combustion subsequently reduces emissions and ash deposits and delivers even more warmth to your room, giving more heat for less fuel.

Ready to burn logoAlthough wood is generally considered a sustainable and a more affordable fuel choice, all wood-burning stove manufacturers stress the importance of using seasoned wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. This will keep harmful emissions to a minimum and significantly improve efficiency, as well as protecting your stove and chimney. Look out for the Woodsure Ready to Burn certification mark on pre-packed wood logs to ensure that they are sufficiently dry.

One of the challenges of fitting a wood-burning stove is that everyone assumes that there needs to be a working chimney in the property. Many modern houses are being built without them and some older properties have problematic chimneys, which can be difficult and expensive to repair. But, there is a solution, our Titan DW Twin Wall Flue System can be a safe and cost effective option for anyone who would like to install a wood burning stove in their home without an existing chimney.

Twin wall can be constructed to produce a safe chimney system for your wood burning stove. Suitable for the creation of both indoor and outdoor flues, they can be used to pass through roofs and floors of buildings. This makes them ideal for use not only in houses, but also in boats, yurts, log cabins, conservatories, van conversions and even garden offices.