Keeping our homes warm when the weather turns is essential to keeping yourself and other residents comfortable. While gas boilers still keep the majority of homes warm throughout winter, data from Uswitch shows that as many as 78% of households rely on gas central heating. However, this means that of the remaining 22% of households, as many as 1.5 million homes have log burners installed, according to the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA). This might encourage you to join that statistic, but making the switch from central heating to log burners comes with a lot to think about. As experts in log burning and the leading supplier of kiln-dried logs in the UK, we at Logs Direct want to demystify all the benefits and myths to help you figure out which one is best for you.
The cost of log burners & central heating
Cost is the biggest consideration when making any key decision regarding homes. The first cost consideration is installation, with log burners costing anywhere from £850 to more than £1,500, whereas upgrading and installing a boiler can average from £2,750 to £16,000. This is influenced by the model of the system being installed as well as purchasing costs. Monthly running costs are also important to consider. For stoves, you only have to pay for the amount of kiln-dried logs you buy to use, and at Logs Direct we offer competitively priced Ready to Burn firewood that’s perfect for fuelling your home. While costs can fluctuate based on the wider market, central heating costs have only risen in the 2020s. Long-term maintenance is something that also requires thought, as both options require consistent checks. For central heating, this is through regular checks by an engineer while log burners need regular cleaning and inspection for any damage.
Are log burners more efficient than central heating?
Having heat distributed consistently and efficiently throughout your home is a key priority when selecting a heating system. For those who simply want to heat a home quickly and all at once, central heating is best. However, log burners are the perfect choice for smaller homes or if you’re looking to also add a cosy, rustic atmosphere to a room or space. Add in the right ventilation and installation and you can allow heat to spread evenly with greater ease.
Do log burners harm the environment?
Myths and misinformation have circulated around the environmental impact and sustainability of log burners and central heating systems, with some of the most detrimental being reports that claim log burners are more harmful than central heating. However, while the source of power for central heating comes from natural gas and could be considered cleaner than other fossil fuel options, it still contributes to the production of around 2.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. Similarly, log burning is not as harmful as these reports suggest, with previous data not separating domestic log burning in stoves from bonfires and open outdoor fires. These types of burning produce far more emissions due to the lack of sorting of fuel that’s used, as opposed to using Ready to Burn wood which has a moisture content of less than 20%.
Log burner aesthetic
Many homeowners prioritise what additions to their spaces can offer in terms of atmosphere and aesthetics. Central heating can’t really add a lot of the visual appeal that log burners can, which is a homely, rustic appearance in their structure alone. Factor in the sounds and visuals of wood catching and crackling, while the flames dance in the hearth, and it’s hard to think of anything that creates a welcoming feeling quite like it. If you decide to install a log burner in your home, it’s important to use high-quality firewood, which is why placing an order with Logs Direct ensures you’re getting the best logs in the UK. Order today, and if you’re not sure which wood is right for you, get in touch.
