How much can a wood burning stove save your home in running costs?

Introduction

Trends change year after year, but one thing that remains constant is the knowledge that utility costs are going to continue to rise. It may be an uncomfortable topic for some, but year by year, we can plainly see heating costs increasing. Some blame it on the government while others simply blame the climate, but no matter who is to blame accounting for these additional costs can be a challenge. That is why so many have turned to wood burning stoves for their heating needs, but can a wood burning stove actually save you money?

If you have ever looked into purchasing a wood burning stove, the first thing you will likely to take notice of is the initial cost outlay. It may seem daunting at first but keep in mind wood burning stoves can be significantly more cost effective than central heating.

Monthly Heating Costs

Each month the average home can pay a few hundred pounds for heating, most pay substantially more. With a wood burning stove that price is significantly reduced. The average home uses around £7.50 per week in wood use when running a wood burning stove (according to standard dried wood costs and average log burn time), making it cheaper than other home heating solutions.
 

Low-Cost Fuel

When it comes to electric heating you will always have a monthly bill. After a while, you even know exactly when it will come in and in some cases are able to calculate the expense based on past trends or monitoring meters, but that does not compare to the efficiency of a wood stove. Even if you intend on purchasing wood for your stove, you will pay on average between £60 and £70 per cord of wood (a cord of wood will take you far into the winter season), when properly stored and maintained. Some wood stove owners have the opportunity to save even more money by cutting and seasoning wood themselves. When you cut and season your own wood it is practically free apart from the physical labour of doing so.
 

Easy to Take Maintenance Costs

Maintaining a standard electric central heating system often means calling in a maintenance professional either once a year or a few times per year depending on the age of the unit. These systems have a lot of parts that require the hand of a professional to keep them going and ensure your safety; these labour hours add to the overall annual running costs. With a wood burning stove, even the maintenance costs are substantially lowered. The units have very little parts and are built to last for generation upon generation to enjoy.
 

Home Resale Value

You may intend on staying in your home for your entire life, but situations and needs can change and should the time come that you decide to sell your home, you will of course want to maximise the income from that sale. Items such as refurbishment to bathrooms and kitchens are among the top home value increasers you can do, but more and more frequently nowadays homes that have a wood stove already installed is a substantial draw and a true way to increase home value. When a potential buyer sees a wood stove, they understand the family will always have heat no matter if the power grid goes down and that is highly valuable.

As you can clearly see, a wood burning stove can actually save you money. The advantage of wood burning stoves over electricity or even gas models is that they pay you back time and time again throughout their life. Plus, the minimalistic fuel and maintenance costs make the purchase of a wood burning stove an easy one. A wood burning stove is truly among the most economical ways to heat your home during even the coldest of winters.