Why burn wood

With an ever increasing eye on ‘green issues’ there is a trend for people to start doing their bit towards a more environmentally friendly society. The increasing trend to install a woodburning stove is without a doubt a step in the right direction. Burning wood is carbon neutral as the only carbon dioxide produced is absorbed by existing trees and there is only as much carbon dioxide released as the tree absorbed in its lifetime. Therefore wood as fuel does not contribute to climate change. If the tree were left to rot in the woods it would produce the same amount of carbon emissions as are released by burning it.

Both in terms of smoke and the amount of ash produced modern wood burners are very impressive. Even with daily use your stove should not need cleaning out more than every week. In fact, a bed of ashes helps the wood to burn. Once you have cleaned out your stove you can even use the ash in your garden as a fertilizer which will help your plants to grow releasing more oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide.

As for the emissions, many stoves are now clean enough to be legally used in urban smoke-free zones. Wood is a renewable resource, most firewood in this country comes from sustainable sources, so for every tree cut down another is planted, and the carbon released from the felled tree will be absorbed by another tree. Logs cut
locally will not be transported long distances; this also has wide reaching environmental implications, so please take this into account when sourcing your fuel.

Further, woodland management contributes to the rural economy and provides local jobs. Appropriate woodland management benefits wildlife and enhances the landscape. At Hot Box Stoves we feel that wood is a fuel that will be important in the future of our environment and one that if managed correctly will be around long after the gas and oil supplies have diminished.

• Low running costs - Solid fuel is an efficient and economical method of
heating your home 24 hours a day.

• The healthy option - Solid fuel heating can greatly reduce condensation, eliminating household mould often associated with 'on/off' fires. Medical research has also shown that solid fuel heating can reduce the risk of hay
fever, asthma and eczema. Homes with solid fuel heating are better ventilated than those with other forms of heating; the very use of a chimney will induce ventilation into a home drawing in fresh air and removing the 'polluted' air.

• Wide range of fuels - From coal to smokeless, there’s a solid fuel to suit
your appliance in all parts of the country.

• Guaranteed heat - With solid fuel heating you can hold stock, ensuring that your home will be warm even in the most adverse weather conditions. Whatever the weather, you don't need to worry about supply failures or power cuts. You can even boil a kettle on a flat-top stove.