Floating Eco Home with Woodburner

Woodburners are a popular way of heating narrow boats, and are also common components in heating systems for eco homes. However, we don’t often hear about narrow boats being turned into eco homes. The Telegraph recently carried the story of how Andrew Rankin has gradually turned the Coroskeir, a 58-foot long vessel moored on the River Cam, into a low-energy boat.

This story seems to have started with the need to save money rather than environmental concern. Ten years ago Andrew Rankin moved to Cambridge to take up a post with the British Antarctic Survey, but local house prices were far beyond his reach. His solution was to buy a narrow boat and join a community of around 100 boats moored by the Cam. He bought the hull for just £10,000 and fitted it out himself using reclaimed wood for the interior panelling.

Andrew’s work with the British Antarctic Survey took him several times to the Antarctic, an experience which made him think more about his impact on the environment. He decided to make the Coroskeir as green as possible, adding extra insulation and solar panels to generate electricity. In the early days he had a couple of 30-40 watt solar panels which weren’t really powerful enough for his needs, resulting in midwinter blackouts. Last year he added a pair of 250 watt “peel and stick” solar panels, which provide much more power yet cost far less than the original panels.

The electricity generated by the solar panels charges a bank of batteries which power the lighting and refrigerator, and can even power the electric engine for short trips. This adds up to a lot of money saved on diesel, which boat owners usually use to generate power for batteries as well as for getting around. During winter he supplements the solar power with a small wind turbine and saves energy by turning off the refrigerator and storing perishable food on the base plate of the boat which is the same temperature as the river.

Andrew uses a woodburner to heat the boat, burning waste wood which he gets from work. As far as fossil fuels go he still has to use some bottled gas for cooking. However he keeps this to a minimum by using the woodburner wherever possible, for example baking potatoes in the embers or boiling rice on the top. His next project will be a compost toilet.

These days Andrew Rankin works as a renewable energy consultant, and he is participating in the Cambridge Open Eco Homes project, an event organised by a local climate change charity which aims to help people reduced their carbon footprint. Click here for information on Cambridge eco homes open for viewing on the weekend of 26-27 May.

Image by Tom Curtis

Why Choose a Wood-burning Stove for your Home?

Guest Author Bio: Home interior enthusiast Jade loves adding new things to her humble abode, including a recently installed woodburner.

When searching for a house, fireplaces are a real seller, but they can be dusty, inefficient and labour intensive. A wood-burning stove has all the advantages of a fireplace and few of the disadvantages, and they can be economical, stylish and can heat your entire home!

Advantages of a wood-burning stove:

Most of us are conscious of our carbon footprint these days and, as gas and electricity prices rise, there are economic as well as ethical reasons to look at the way we heat our homes. Unlike fossil fuels, well-managed timber is a renewable resource. Not only that, the replacement trees capture the carbon emitted when you burn the old ones, resulting in a very efficient carbon cycle.

Wood is very economical too: if you have a good relationship with a local joiner or builder you may be able to pick up scrap wood for next to nothing. Many tree surgeons are willing to give away wood and it is sometimes possible to forage for fallen and drift wood in forests, though do check local regulations. You can also buy compressed sawdust logs that are cheap, and a good way of using up a waste product that would otherwise go to landfill.

While a fireplace can be pretty, a functional wood burner usually comes with such benefits as variable airflow to control the heat and an airwash system to keep the door glass clean, and some even have back boilers. These boilers can be used to run anything from a single radiator to an entire central heating and hot water system, depending on the size of your burner, though you will want an alternative for days when you want hot water without a roaring fire!

Choosing a wood-burning stove:

First you need to decide whether you want a stove for the living room or the kitchen. A large wood burning range-cooker can be a terrific investment, making you almost completely independent of fossil fuels, but it can be problematic in the summer if you want to cook without heating the entire home! A living-room stove is usually more compact and so is likely to have a smaller back boiler but you can leave it unlit throughout the warmer months.

You then need to think about the thermal output you require. A good manufacturer will list the heat output in kilowatts. The size of your room and the construction of your home will determine what sort of output you should look for.

Determine whether or not you live in a smoke free area. You can burn wood in smokeless zones these days, so long as you use a DEFRA approved woodburner.

Finally, choose your look: do you want a traditional Victorian stove? A Dutch tiled stove? Something modern and sleek in steel, or an art deco, enamelled period piece? There’s so much variety that you’re bound to find something that suits your home. Budget stoves start from under £300 and can save you money on your heating bills as well as adding value and comfort to your home.

Small Woodburner Suggestions

There are so many woodburners and multi fuel stoves on the market that it can be hard to work out what stove is best for you, especially if you have very specific requirements. One common problem scenario is finding a suitable stove for a small living room, a boat, a caravan, a mobile home or even an outbuilding. To help you along the way this post rounds up suggestions for tiny woodburners with a heat output of 3-4kW. I’ve picked a mixture of top sellers in this output range and lesser known models

Pennine 4 Multifuel Stove

The Pennine 4 multifuel / woodburning stove is a British-made budget model with a 4kW heat output. If you’re looking for something well-made and affordable this is a great option. It is equipped with both primary and secondary burn for efficient operation, and airwash to keep the viewing window clean. The body of the Pennine 4 woodburner is made from steel with a cast iron door.

Villager Puffin Multifuel Stove

The Villager Puffin multifuel stove is a traditional woodburner with a 4kW output. Equipped with primary air control and an airwash system for cleaner glass, there is the option of a stainless steel back boiler to divert some of the heat into a radiator, towel rail or hot water. The Villager Puffin stove has a static grate for burning wood or solid fuel, and is suitable for top flue installation only.

Bohemia 30 Multifuel Stove

The Bohemia 30 woodburner is ideal where hearth depth is limited. Wider than it is deep, the Bohemia 30 can take an impressive 30cm log, as well as being suitable for use with smokeless fuel. The steel body has a simple design which can fit in with both modern and traditional homes. The heat output is 3kW, and the efficiency rating is 74.4% for wood and 75.5% for solid fuel.

Dunsley Highlander 3 Multifuel Stove

Dunsley are known for clever engineering, turning out a top quality range of intelligently designed stoves from their Yorkshire factory. The Highlander 3 is the baby of the Dunsley range, with a heat output up to 3.3kW. Options available include a canopy, stainless steel back boiler and choice of black or brass handles. The Dunsley Highlander 3 woodburner is made from steel with a cast iron door.

Broseley Serrano 3 Multifuel Stove

The soft curves of the Broseley Serrano 3 multifuel stove make it a great choice for modern interiors. The stove body is made from solid cast iron, which is great for holding heat and gently radiating it into the room. The Serrano 3 has primary and secondary air controls, with pre-heated airwash to help keep the viewing window clean. The heat output is 3kW, with an efficiency rating of 81%.

It can be difficult to know what woodburning stove to choose, but always remember there is plenty of help available. If you need some help or advice you can email or call us on 01484 434321.

Easter Offer

We’ve got a great offer for the Easter weekend – £50 off outdoor heating products when you buy a stove worth over £300. So if you’re looking for a new firepit, chimenea or patio heater this is a great chance to grab a bargain.

This special Easter offer is available until midnight on Monday 9th April. It’s easy to claim as well – once you have added your stove and outdoor heating product to your shopping trolley simply use the coupon code “easteroffer” at the checkout to activate the discount. Terms and conditions apply.

Hunter Stoves Boost Cornwall Economy

Hunter Herald 6 Multi-fuel Stove

Hunter Stoves have received planning permission to build a new research and development facility near Camelford in Cornwall, according to thisiscornwall.co.uk. The £1.2 million project will be used for developing and testing woodburners and multi fuel stoves. Hunter Stoves already have a unit at the Camelford site employing 14 people, and this expansion is expected to create 32 new local jobs in the coming year.

The wood burning stove industry stands out as having many major players who manufacture their products in the UK, often with an emphasis on sourcing local materials where possible. The trend towards eco friendly living has increased demand for efficient, clean-burning stoves, while increases in domestic fuel prices are driving many consumers to look at alternate ways to heat their homes. It is great to see British manufacturers and communities benefitting from the growth of the stove industry.

We congratulate Hunter on their growth, and look forward to seeing new developments in the range of Hunter stoves.

Woodburner Safety Advice from Fire Service

Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service recently issued some safety guidance in the wake of a number of house fires linked to wood burning stoves. Substantial energy price rises in recent years, coupled with the struggle to cope with recession, have made woodburners a popular way to save money on home heating bills. The trouble is that the pressing need to save money can tempt people to cut corners when installing their wood burning stove, increasing the risk of a house fire.

According to community fire safety officer Michael Aldersey of Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service “When they are used correctly, wood-burning stoves are a safe and effective way to heat the home, but users should be aware of some basic safety considerations”. His comment appeared last week in The Galloway News, along with the following recommendations for safely enjoying your woodburner.

1. The main concern is to make sure wood burning stoves are fitted professionally, including having the chimney checked before installation.
2. People often leave firewood close to the stove to dry out before it is used, but the wood can get sufficiently warm and dry to catch fire even if it isn’t in direct contact with the woodburner. You should keep any flammable materials well away from your stove.
3. The surface of a wood burning stove will become very hot during use. If you have young children in the house you should put a fireguard around your woodburner to prevent them getting close enough to burn their little hands.

These are all excellent points, but I would add that anyone who uses their woodburner with the door open should use a spark guard, and that it is vital to dispose of ash safely as embers can reignite hours or even days after the fire has gone out.

If you are thinking of getting a wood burning stove we recommend a professional solid fuel installation survey before going ahead to confirm it is a suitable heating option for your home, to get a clear idea of the installation costs and to ensure you have expert help in choosing the best stove for your home.

Thinking of Buying Your First Woodburner?

Rising fuel costs and the green living movement have triggered a lot of interest in woodburners amongst people who have never had one before. While I know a wood burning stove is a great choice for many people, it isn’t right for everyone. It’s easy for stove shoppers to get caught up in working out how to choose the right woodburner, but you really need to begin by answering the question of whether a wood burning stove is right for you.

Let’s face it- a stove has to fit in with your lifestyle as well as your decor. You can always get the look of a woodburner with a gas stove or electric stove, but living with a woodburning stove requires more hands-on involvement with heating your home. For some people that’s part of the attraction, but for others it is more of a turn off. You really need to get a sense of what is involved before committing to buying your first wood burning stove.

Back in October I mentioned that Hayley Jones of uk-energy-saving.com had started an online diary recounting her experiences with a newly installed Morso Squirrel stove. Over the last few months she has given a warts-and-all account of getting used to her first woodburner. If you want an insight into life with a wood burning stove this diary is a great place to start.

 

Shropshire Star Says Fire It Up

The Shropshire Star was singing the praises of woodburners this week in an article entitled Fire It Up, in which they highlight the high efficiency of wood burning stoves in comparison to open fires. The article touches on many of the essential issues to consider when buying a woodburner including

• Eco friendliness of sustainably sourced firewood in comparison to gas or oil
• The importance of seasoning firewood before use
• Alternative fuels for use in multi fuel stoves
• Budgeting for accessories, installation and building alterations
• The legal requirement for stove installations to comply with building regulations
• The need to test chimneys to determine whether they require a liner

However they failed to mention that in designated Smoke Control Areas it is illegal to burn wood in a stove unless it is a clean-burning DEFRA Approved stove. The available range of clean-burning stoves is growing due to increased demand for woodburners suitable for use in urban areas. Many people opt for a clean-burn stove even when they aren’t required to by law for the increased efficiency and reduced emissions.

The Shropshire Star article talks about woodburner prices starting below £200. While this is correct, the stoves available at the lowest prices tend to have very basic features and in some cases are of dubious quality. You may save on purchase costs only to lose on running costs if you buy a less efficient stove. Woodburners are generally used for many years, so think about your long term needs as well as your immediate situation. There are some great budget woodburners on the market – Evergreen, Tiger and Firefox stand out as well-established budget brands with a track record of reliability and good availability of spare parts. Whatever stove you buy, make sure it is CE approved (tested and compliant with European standard EN13240) and that your retailer is able to give you the specialist advice and aftercare appropriate for this type of product.

Wood Burning Stove in a Car..Whatever Next?

The internet has been buzzing for the last few days with pictures of a wood burning stove installed in a car. While the pictures are great, this video is even better!

Why Install a Woodburner in a Car?

The man behind the story is Pascal Prokop, a 38 year old living in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland. It all started when the heater broke in his 1990 Volvo 240 – no laughing matter in the bitter cold of an Alpine winter. While most of us would deal with this problem by getting the heater repaired, Pascal Prokop thought it made more sense to install a woodburner in his car instead. Out came the passenger seat and in went a woodburner complete with a chimney through the car roof.

No Seriously, Why Does a Car Need a Wood Burning Stove?

My first thoughts about this (at least once I stopped laughing) were to wonder whether our good Mr Prokop

• Had too much time on his hands?
• Anticipated ever having a special someone who might want to sit beside him in the car?
• Was a little bonkers?

If you dig a little deeper the whole thing doesn’t seem quite so mad after all. Apparently fixing the heater in a Volvo 240 is a nightmare of a job (although almost certainly easier than ripping out the passenger seat and replacing it with a woodburner). And the cold snaps which turn into a national crisis in England pale into comparison to the worst a Swiss winter can offer. I’m not saying I’m convinced it makes sense to put a woodburner in your car, more that I accept the possibility of it making sense somewhere in an infinite universe. My knowledge of Swiss German is limited to guessing it’s probably the German-sounding language the Swiss man was speaking, so I don’t know what Pascal has to say for himself on the video. But I like to think he was talking about how his job requires him to spend all day driving round inspecting snow-laden trees and waving at everyone he passes, making an in-car woodburner every bit as essential as a steering wheel.

Don’t Try This at Home!

According to MSNBC Pascal Prokov built and fitted the wood burning stove himself, then went through official channels to get an operating permit from the Swiss authorities. I’m not sure how Swiss bureaucracy compares to the delights of UK regulations, but I can’t imagine such a contrivance getting the official seal of approval over here! But just for a moment let’s play with the idea of something like this hitting the UK roads…

• Should you avoid driving through Smoke Control Areas, or drive through them faster to avoid getting caught belching out wood smoke from your car?
• Would the police view refuelling while driving as better or worse than talking on a mobile phone?
• Would twoccers be more likely to steal your car because it makes it easier for them to burn it out when they’ve finished joyriding?
• Would boy racers install fake wood burners in their hot hatches to make them look faster?
• Would stretch limos be fitted with jewel-encrusted woodburners to give them that extra bit of bling?
• Would the cat enjoy being taken to the vet if riding with a woodburner was part of the deal?

World Record Wood Burning Stove

Pascal Prokov has been awarded a world record for being the first person to install a wood burning stove in a car. I’m pretty sure he’s entitled to a world record for getting most attention for installing a woodburner anywhere in the history of the world ever. However I have my doubts as to whether he is a true pioneer or mere proof of the power of social media. I once met a musician called Howling Chris who travelled Europe in a woodburner-equipped van little larger than a Volvo 240. If you see him tell him to give the World Records Academy a call…

Stovax Huntingdon 35 Woodburner in 25 Beautiful Homes

The March edition of 25 Beautiful Homes mentions Stoves Are Us as a supplier of the Stovax Huntingdon 35 wood burning stove. The Stovax Huntingdon 35 stove is recommended as a similar model to the traditional woodburner shown on p.96 in the Hampshire villa belonging to Sarah Bedford and John Pyne. The gothic lattice work on the stove door is a great fit for a Victorian building, as is the solid cast iron construction. But what if you want to get this look but need a different type of stove?

Aga Minsterley Woodburning Boiler Stove

Solid fuel boiler stoves are becoming increasingly popular as part of money-saving & green heating systems. The Aga Minsterly boiler stove is capable of heating 4-5 standard single radiators as well as giving out 3.6kW to the room. It can be used with both wood and solid fuel, and uses cleanburn technology to achieve 73% efficiency.

Franco Belge Ardennes Double Door Woodburner

The Franco Belge Ardennes stove is a double door powerhouse ideal for heating larger rooms. Two sizes are available – 11kW and 15Kw – and you have a choice of glossy enamel colours if you don’t like the standard matt black painted finish. An outside air kit is available if you want to bring in combustion air to the stove without having to install an air brick.

Broseley Canterbury Gas Stove

The Broseley Canterbury gas stove looks traditional but has been designed with modern homes in mind. It’s a slimline model which can be installed on a standard-depth hearth, available in black, blue or green finishes. Broseley also make a balanced flue gas stove and electric stove in the same design. These are very popular with people wanting realism because they use a cast iron carcass.

Dimplex Rectory Electric Stove

Dimplex are one of the UK’s most popular brands of electric fire. Although best known for their inset fires, Dimplex also make some  great electric stoves. The Dimplex Rectory stove comes with both log and coal fuel beds and features the Optiflame® flame effect. A remote control is supplied so that you can fully enjoy it without having to get out of your armchair.