HOUSEHOLDS may be turning to log burners to keep warm this winter – but it's important to know how much they cost to run.
The appeal of a toasty fire is greater than ever right now after the cost of living shot up.
Millions have seen their gas and electricity bills shoot up in recent years despite the government introducing a discount.
However, as of October 1, 2023, the price cap set by regulator Ofgem has fallen from £2,074 to £1,923, the lowest figure since March 2022.
If you're struggling with bills, could a log burner be the answer?
We’ve previously looked at how you can save energy in every room of your house and the worst appliances to leave on standby.
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But many people are still worried about stubbornly high costs.
If you’re trying to stay warm without turning the heating on, there are some alternatives.
We’ve looked at how much it costs to run an electric blanket and how much it is to run a heated clothes airer.
Now we take a look at how much it costs to run a log burner.
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How much to run a log burner?
The Stove Industry Association (SIA) estimates that a wood burning stove uses about five logs to produce 4kW of heat over a five-hour period, compared to an open fire which uses 16.
Of course, it’s worth pointing out that a log burner won’t heat your entire home so it can’t be considered a direct comparison.
A log burner will, however, soon heat up the room it's placed in and residual heat will spread to other rooms too.
When working out costings, you need to look at the price of wood.
According to the SIA, the cost of burning kiln dried logs is between £150 to £210 per cubic meter (loose fill).
Naturally, the price varies depending on where you buy your wood.
The average modern wood burning stove will use around 3.5 cubic metres (m3) of logs in a typical heating season if you have the burner on at evenings and weekends.
Therefore, based on annual wood log usage of between 3-4 cubic meters, the total cost would be approximately £525 to 735 a year.
How does that compare to the typical heating bill?
The current energy price cap is £1,923 a year.
If you divide that by 12, that’s £160.25 a month – so over the six months from mid-October to mid-April would be £961.50.
However, the figure is actually likely to be higher because households typically use the bulk of their energy in the winter months.
Direct debits spread the cost over the year so you’re technically paying for energy you don’t use in the summer, but you aren’t landed with a shock bill come winter.
If you use central heating, recent figures from CheckaTrade show that the average cost of running it per hour is 7p per kilowatt-hour.
This means that if you have a 24 kW boiler, it might cost you £1.68 an hour.
For example, if you have your heating on overnight for eight hours, it could cost you £13.44.
Multiply that by seven and you’re paying £94.08 for the week, over several months that's pretty expensive.
On the face of it then, the log burner seems like the cheaper option.
But remember, it most likely won’t heat your entire home – you’ll still have to have the heating on in other rooms.
Don’t forget the installation costs
According to Checkatrade, the average cost to install a log burner is around £2,000 and that’s on top of the stove itself, which will set you back around £950.
Installation typically involves forming a new fireplace and hearth, and costs could be higher if you don’t already have a chimney.
So be sure to factor in those costs if you’re thinking about getting a log burner in the hope of saving money.
A certification scheme, known as clearSkies, launched in August 2020 and can help you identify the most eco-friendly log burners.
The SIA adds that any installation should be done by a qualified tradesman, registered with HETAS or OFTEC.
If you have a wood burning stove, your chimney should ideally be swept once a year and the stove itself should be regularly maintained.
If you are concerned about rising costs, you may be able to get extra help.
The cold weather payment could get you £25 when temperatures drop and low-income households can get £150 towards their bills through the warm home discount scheme.
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Under the winter fuel payment scheme, over 65s can get between £100 and £300 to offset the cost of keeping their homes warm.
You can also talk to your supplier if you're struggling. Some have charitable trusts that can help, or may offer a payment plan.
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