Wood burning stoves are not only a pleasure to have in the home, they are also one of the most cost effective forms of renewable power. However, in order to get the most out of your wood burner and ensure it continues to function smoothly and economically, a small amount of care and forward planning is required.
Before the cold of winter hits and you are likely to be using your wood burner daily, it is advisable to hire the services of an engineer to give your stove an annual check. Even if you regularly clean your stove, it is still wise to employ the services of an expert who will be able to identify whether any parts need replacing. Knowing when to purchase new wood burning stove parts could save you money in the long run, as neglecting to replace worn-out or damaged parts can lead to much bigger problems in the future. The cost of new stove spares is also likely to be balanced out by the savings to be made when your burner is running at maximum efficiency once more.
Ideally, the chimney of a wood stove should be swept twice a year, but it is particularly important to get it done in preparation for long spells of usage, in order to maintain efficiency, but also to reduce the risk of chimney fires.
Finally, you could consider investing in a large quantity of good quality logs to last all winter, rather than purchasing bits and pieces of lower-quality fuel as and when they are needed. Using only well-seasoned logs has been proven to help you gain the highest levels of efficiency from your stove.