GenevaSaint Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Looking to get a wood burning stove fitted to cut down on my gas bills over the winter months. Now. they look relatively cheap to buy from £300 > £1000 with a decent model coming in around £500. Anyone have one they could recommend? Secondly around installing.....how hard are they to fit? Anyone recommend a fitter locally in Southampton? How much did the fitting cost? Cheers, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Block 18 Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Instalation should be done by a HETAS registered installer be prepared for about a grand an a half bill for the whole lot. http://www.find-a-stove-installer.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Looking to get a wood burning stove fitted to cut down on my gas bills over the winter months. Now. they look relatively cheap to buy from £300 > £1000 with a decent model coming in around £500. Anyone have one they could recommend? Secondly around installing.....how hard are they to fit? Anyone recommend a fitter locally in Southampton? How much did the fitting cost? Cheers, Mike. Yes we've got 2, both Invicta, both develop about 10KW. We've got some woodland as well so between dead trees and compact logs that I buy at the local forestry co-operative it works out quite well. Fitted them myself but by using existing chimneys and just running down the necessary stainless steel tubing (which costs quite a bit) Great things to have but unless you've got a free supply of about half the wood I wouldn't know that they cost any less to run than Gas Fired CH (but then I don't know anything about gas prices in the UK). We use them in conjunction with Ceramic Electric Storage radiators and it's an OK solution. £500 looks a bit cheap for a "decent model" though. Think we paid over 1000 euros each for both of ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampersound Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Got an AGA "little wenlock" which was put in about 4 years ago. Needed some chimney repairs also so cost about £2k all in. It's great and kicks out some heat but still doesnt stop the missus from cranking up the central heating to 24'c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 (edited) The showroom price and the fully fitted price will be very different - especially if your chimney needs to be lined or if you dont have one and need a flue installed. My ex paid nearly £5,000 to have one installed "to save money on gas bills" and then proceeds to buy all her wood in small bags at a high price from the garage. Aesthetically, for homely feel they give they are lovely and are worth it for that alone imo. Only if you live off the mains gas supply and rely on electricity, oil or propane and have space to store bulk deliveries of dry wood (dont burn damp stuff) will it save you money. Just FYI I got mine from here. Its a good shop with knowledgable people - though too far to schlep from Southampton probably. http://www.bolneystoves.co.uk/ Edited 8 February, 2012 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guided Missile Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Looking to get a wood burning stove fitted to cut down on my gas bills over the winter months. Now. they look relatively cheap to buy from £300 > £1000 with a decent model coming in around £500. Anyone have one they could recommend? Secondly around installing.....how hard are they to fit? Anyone recommend a fitter locally in Southampton? How much did the fitting cost? Cheers, Mike. I have three of these stoves fitted in the house and I'm sitting in front of one right now. They are simple the best, IMO. Figure around £2K each fitted including flue lining. These are the guys to fit one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 The showroom price and the fully fitted price will be very different - especially if your chimney needs to be lined or if you dont have one and need a flue installed. My ex paid nearly £5,000 to have one installed "to save money on gas bills" and then proceeds to buy all her wood in small bags at a high price from the garage. Aesthetically, for homely feel they give they are lovely and are worth it for that alone imo. Only if you live off the mains gas supply and rely on electricity, oil or propane and have space to store bulk deliveries of dry wood (dont burn damp stuff) will it save you money. Yeah, it's the flue liner that will cost the money. Get it checked out first before you commit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 I know 3 ex fitters from that company, they all work for themselves now, PM if you need some numbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soton7 Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Talking about renewable energy has anyone got any experience around wood pellet boilers or ground source heat pumps? Looking for an alternative to oil for a new build. Any help would be appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 (edited) Talking about renewable energy has anyone got any experience around wood pellet boilers or ground source heat pumps? Looking for an alternative to oil for a new build. Any help would be appreciated! It might well be worth giving these people a call about those two techs. They are a charitable company so are generous and unbiased with advice. I know people who have had them installed but have no first hand experience. http://www.bioregional.com/ http://www.bioregional.com/what-we-do/our-services/solutions-for-wood-and-biomass/ If you are starting from scratch with new build its a fantastic opportunity to get a beautiful home that is a joy to live in. My main advice would be to make sure the house is super insulated - its cheap to do if designed in at the start and will save you a fortune in the long run - whichever heating system you eventually choose. Ive got these windows and am very pleased with them. http://www.nordan.co.uk/UK/index.php Edited 8 February, 2012 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soton7 Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Thanks buctootim I will have a look at the websites a little later. We will definitely insulate way beyond the build regs. I have been researching GSHP and wood pellet boilers for a while and the man disadvantages are that there is a lack of installers in the local area (government approved) therefore maintenance may be an issue. Any first hand experience from people would be great. I guess this is the right time for us to decide which heating fuel we will use before we start building the property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 They are the best thing ever, especially on nights like tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint simes Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 We have a Clearview vision 500, not the cheapest but I can thoroughly recommend it, in fact its about time to get it going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsays Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 An alternative to logs and better value for money, I know many people who use them: http://www.verdorenewables.co.uk/product/wood-briquettes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chin Strain Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Kingsworthy Foundary nr Winchester have lots of log burners. They don't fit, but have a company that they suggest. As most have said, it's the lining that costs a fortune. We've left our open fireplace as it has a Victorian surround so it beats out the heat. The only downside is that it can be a bit messier than a woodburner....and you need to watch out for the sparks! On a similar vein...does anyone know of any decent log suppliers around Chandlers Ford area? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 8 February, 2012 Share Posted 8 February, 2012 Just today bought a stove fan - Ecofan 812 Airmax (bleeding expensive) - esp as the only stove I could fit in - Clearview Pioneer 400, their smallest - was possibly on the limit size wise for the room. Anyway, had it going for a few hours and too damned hot to sit in the room as I don't like it at 23'c as I just fall asleep. Basically this fan has given about 3'c extra. Currently working through some laurel that I chopped down last year. Brilliant stuff as burns nice and slowly and is a weed in the garden. The silver birch goes a bit too quickly. Had to have a few big trees chopped and if I can store it, it should give enough wood for about 10 years!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 9 February, 2012 Share Posted 9 February, 2012 If you got a chimney just open the firePlace up and go for coal. Coal is the working mans future There's loads of it under our very feet and it's bloody cheap and bloody effective at heating a house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 9 February, 2012 Share Posted 9 February, 2012 Thanks buctootim I will have a look at the websites a little later. We will definitely insulate way beyond the build regs. I have been researching GSHP and wood pellet boilers for a while and the man disadvantages are that there is a lack of installers in the local area (government approved) therefore maintenance may be an issue. Any first hand experience from people would be great. I guess this is the right time for us to decide which heating fuel we will use before we start building the property. I'm sure you are aware of this website, but if not, then look at http://www.selfbuild-central.co.uk/ for suggestions on green issues. Also, you may want to look around http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/index.html - a free event in March at the ExCeL in London. I went last year and there is some good opportunity to get a lot of advice on the products and systems you are looking at. Whilst it is aimed primarily at the commercial market, there are many things for self builders too. If you choose to insulate way beyond B Regs, then it will a) impact on the cost and b) the space used to accommodate the extra thickness, so whilst it is a good idea you may need to consider the compromises you will need to make, including some form of mechanical ventilation (which can sometimes defeat the object of "over" insulation). But like all these things it comes down to good design. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsdinho Posted 9 February, 2012 Share Posted 9 February, 2012 Would recommend this site. http://www.cleangreenstoves.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soton7 Posted 10 February, 2012 Share Posted 10 February, 2012 Thanks special mate. Will check out that free event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 10 February, 2012 Share Posted 10 February, 2012 If you got a chimney just open the firePlace up and go for coal. Coal is the working mans future There's loads of it under our very feet and it's bloody cheap and bloody effective at heating a house. Got coal in the stove this evening, as found a bag left over from last year, and it's good. Burns slow and lots of heat. As for chimneys, 80% of the heat goes up it, as opposed something like 15-20% with stoves. Mine used to be crap and just let cold air down it before I put the stove in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerBadger Posted 11 February, 2012 Share Posted 11 February, 2012 Would recommend this site. http://www.cleangreenstoves.co.uk/ 2nd this, give him a call and have a chat, I'll be getting one sorted this summer ready for next winter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvictaSaint Posted 13 February, 2012 Share Posted 13 February, 2012 We have a Handol; brilliant scandanavian burner (where they understand cold weather!). Beautifully designed and really chucks out the heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouchie's Lawyer Posted 13 February, 2012 Share Posted 13 February, 2012 Thanks buctootim I will have a look at the websites a little later. We will definitely insulate way beyond the build regs. I have been researching GSHP and wood pellet boilers for a while and the man disadvantages are that there is a lack of installers in the local area (government approved) therefore maintenance may be an issue. Any first hand experience from people would be great. I guess this is the right time for us to decide which heating fuel we will use before we start building the property. Air Improve based in Winchester http://www.airimprove.ltd.uk can help with the heat pump. It's my Dad's firm, I used to work for them. I don't know a great deal about the technical side of the GSHP's (as I wasnt involved in that side of the business) but I understand a bit about them and know they are able to supply and fit them for you if required. I think they would be able to provide you with a quote to fit one if you are interested - take a look at their website and enquire if you want to know more. They would also be able to assist with the maintentance side of things I am sure. Hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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