Stock up on wood supplies before the cold snap bites

As a heating method that not only helps to cut costs on utility bills but is also less harmful to the environment than conventional fuels, woodburning stoves are becoming an increasingly popular option for UK households, as more homeowners are discovering the benefits of heating their homes with solid fuel and biomass, so it's important to ensure you stock up on supplies of good quality wood now before the winter sets in.

For one or two-room heating during autumn and spring, and as a booster for freezing winter periods, you will need about three to four tons of wood a year and enough well-ventilated space to store it. The quality and condition of the wood you feed your stove will have a real influence over its emissions and efficiency. Only well dried, split wood should be used as burning wood which is dirty, decayed or very wet will require a greater use of energy, produce less heat and reduce the life of your stove and flue.

With the UK experiencing harsher and more lengthy winters, woodburning stove sales have increased dramatically, leading to a huge shortage of good quality wood being available last winter, so to avoid being left out in the cold Euroheat, the leading distributor of natural energy heating systems for the home, is advising owners of woodburning stoves to stock up now, ensuring that the wood that is bought is stored appropriately until winter sets in.

With the damp weather conditions we experience in the UK a Log Store from Euroheat provides a natural environment for the quick drying and storage of freshly sawn timber, a process that can can be achieved over the summer if the wood is split and stored now. Whether you opt to season your own wood or buy pre-dried timber the log store will keep it dry, with its modular design allowing both types of timber to be stored side by side. Wood supplies can be further protected from the elements by fitting a rain shield to the front of the wood store.

Once ready for burning it is crucial to check the wood's moisture content to ensure it will be cost-effective, energy efficient and not harmful to the environment - in smoke exempt areas the moisture content of wood for burning should not exceed 20 per cent. A wood moisture metre from Euroheat is therefore a wise investment to ensure the wood you are using is dry enough for burning and that your home will be kept warm no matter how cold it gets outside.

For more information, visit euroheat.co.uk.