Wood burning and the environment

Wood burning and the environment
Wood burning and the environment

You only need to pick up a newspaper or switch on the television to hear about global warming, carbon footprints and the depletion of fossil fuels. The following are some reasons why wood burning is kinder to the environment than burning other fuels:

  • As long as forests are sustainably managed, wood is a renewable source of energy.
  • Wood is a carbon neutral fuel. Whilst they are alive, trees turn CO2 in the air into oxygen. When wood is burnt, the CO2 originally absorbed by the tree is released again into the atmosphere. The quantity of CO2 subsequentally released into the atmosphere is no more than if the tree was left to rot.
  • Global warming is caused by greenhouse gas emissions: CO2, is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. Wood burning releases significantly less CO2 into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels.
  • Modern stoves burn wood in a very efficient manner. Many of the stoves that we sell have 'secondary' burn, resulting in even more of the volatiles in wood being burnt off, resulting in greater efficiencies. To the end user, this means more heat into the room, cleaner combustion and cleaner emissions.

Given the rising costs of fossil fuels, switching to burning wood can actually reduce your fuel bills. Many of the stoves we sell have DEFRA aproval to burn wood in smoke control zones. These stoves meet the stringent emission requirements for daily use and overnight burning.

Incentives for burning wood

  • There is a government incentive of 5% VAT for installing woodburning stoves and range cookers that are also linked into or indeed run your central heating system. Conditions apply - please ask about this scheme.
  • If you are in the process of having a home built, having a woodburning stove installed will ensure you receive carbon credits to offset against other projects.

Grange Reproductions recommend that you only burn seasoned hardwoods.

We are stockists of seasoned, kiln dried wood. This is available to purchase at our showroom. Alternatively, you can order in bulk and have 50 or 80 bags delivered free, direct to your home. Purchasing in this way will save over 20%, making wood and even more attractive prospect.