6 ways you could be losing money on wood heating

Get the most out of your wood burning stove this winter

As the cold weather starts creeping in, the need to heat your home increases - and with that comes more pressure on your wallet.

There are, however, opportunities for you to save money on your energy bills.

One way is optimising your wood burning stove. While the eco-friendly energy option and its wood fuel can be less expensive, you could be losing money by missing simple tips and tricks.

Here are six ways many people in the UK are wasting money on wood fuel heating and how you can get the most out of yours...

1. Using poorly-dried logs

The key to success when using a wood burning stove are kiln-dried logs.

It's illegal for suppliers to sell poorly-dried firewood and briquettes to UK consumers, however, dry firewood can quickly soak up moisture from the surrounding air if not stored in optimal conditions.

If you're seeing condensation, steam or drip marks inside your stove, it's a sign of this inefficiency.

Unseasoned logs do not create as hot of a heat in the stove, and instead generate a lot of smoke.

Not only does this mean you're not feeling as much heat, the smoke can cause a creosote build-up in the chimney flue, which isn't only a cause of inefficiency in the future, but is also a fire hazard.

2. Skimping on stove maintenance

As with most things, the less you look after it, the worse it performs - and wood burning stoves are no different.

A clean stove, chimney breast and flue are paramount to optimal energy production.

Make sure to regularly sweep your chimney, whether that's doing it yourself or hiring a professional, and clean the inside of your stove so that the vents remain clear and you get good airflow.

Not only will this benefit you immediately by improving the heat you feel, but it'll help to prolong the lifespan of your stove.

Also, remember, your stove is not an incinerator. If you burn anything other than wood, kindling or briquettes, the harmful fumes released could damage your stove and ruin its longevity.

3. Not stocking up in the summer

Naturally, the price of the wood fuel itself contributes to the energy costs you incur - but there's one interesting tip which can make a huge difference.

While it sounds counterintuitive, buying your wood in the summer can bring big savings.

Though you most likely won't be burning during the warmer months, that's when you'll get great deals and low prices as fuels are less in-demand.

4. Not buying in bulk

It may seem easier to order firewood a few boxes at a time so you don’t have to worry about finding space to store it, however, you are missing out on huge opportunities for discounts if you do.

Buying in bulk allows you to save upwards of 50% per box of wood fuel, and you often get the chance for free delivery when you make a larger order.

If you’re buying from Lekto, for example, you receive free delivery on orders over £75*, and the fuel is packaged conveniently in compact boxes which are easy to store. This includes kiln-dried birch, ash, and oak - which is the hottest-heating and longest-burning fuel.

Plus, bulk-buying reduces the risk of running out and having to resort to other more expensive heating methods.

5. Not taking advantage of value bundles

There are different ways to fuel your wood burning stove, many being more beneficial for different uses.

With the ever-unpredictable weather changing how much we need to heat our homes each day, it's useful to have a versatile variety at your fingertips.

Lekto has created handy value bundles where you receive a variety of fuels with bulk discounts. They're a great way to save money, to try something different without extra commitment, and ensure you have a fuel for every occasion.

6. Killing your stove by overheating it

When it's cold, it's easy to be overzealous and try to heat your space quicker by filling up your wood burning stove with more fuel - but that's a sure-fire way to reduce efficiency.

Putting strain on the stove, it can affect its performance both now and in the future. Rather, a gentle, consistent heat is what you need to optimise your heating.

If you're looking for a longer-burning fuel, night briquettes can burn for as long as eight hours - making them not only incredibly convenient but also extremely economical. Or, if you want a burst of warmth, you'd be looking at a heat log with its high energy density and fast heat output.

Lekto offers a wide range of wood-based heating and fuel products, sourced from well-managed, sustainable forests.

With more than 22,000 reviews on its Trustpilot page and an average user rating of 4.6 stars**, the highly-trusted company is helping people across the UK heat their homes in an efficient, economical and eco-friendly way.

To find out more, visit www.lektowoodfuels.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability and location.

**Correct at the time of publication.