While time in the sun is great, the prospect of cosy winter evenings in front of a crackling fire is hard to beat, and a little time spent preparing your wood burner, stove and chimney, and replenishing your fuel stocks, will make easy work of the transition from summer to the cooler months ahead. Maintain Your Chimney Open fires If you have an open fire, or operate a stove that requires ventilation through your chimney, then you should consider carrying out some maintenance now in order to keep your heating working effectively and safely. Chimneys and flues need...

Summer, the traditional season of the chiminea, is over, and we’re heading into the chillier months of autumn and winter. Most people abandon their chiminea when the mercury starts falling, and their faithful friend is chucked into a garage or shed, to begin its winter hibernation. Have you ever thought about not giving up on the chiminea during the cold months though? There are plenty of things you can do with it. Safety first – remember that chimineas are for outdoor use, and should never be lit indoors. If you’re looking for a log burner to heat your house...

There's something about an open fire that captures the im agination in a way that gas and electricity just can't match. As the temperature starts to drop and the nights begin to draw in, the idea of cosy winter nights around the fireplace can be very appealing. But while a coal fire can be aesthetically appealing, it can also require extra attention to get the best results. The first thing any homeowner should do when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of an open fire is to ensure that they're using the highest quality fuels. Our house coal is...

With the kids back at school and a definite chill in the air, it’s hard to deny that chilly autumn days are on their way, and winter will be hot on their heels. But don’t despair! For with the cold weather comes the chance to warm up in style, and who could resist the charm of curling up in front of an open fire, either with a good book or a mug of something hot? An open fire or log burner is the ultimate way to relax and make the most of indoor days. Getting it lit The first challenge for...

As winter approaches, most of us resign ourselves to the fact that our fuel bills are about to go through the roof. Aside from the obvious use of the central heating system, we have a tendency to cook more hot meals during the winter. All of this means extra money will be shelled out on our energy bills, so here are a few tips for keeping them down. 1. Make the most of your log burner If you are lucky enough to have a log burner in your house, wood logs are a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to central...

Millions of people across the United Kingdom have wood burners in their homes, and many of them use firewood as their main fuel, whether that's hardwood or softwood logs. However, there are plenty of other fuel options out there, so to give you more of a choice, here are two that you may not have considered for your home. Peat briquettes Peat briquettes are usually formed of dried and pressed vegetable fibres, and are a great alternative to burning wood or coal in your home. Peat has been used as a fuel for fires for thousands of years, but recent...

As winter approaches, we get closer to that archetypal British tradition of relaxing in front of a fire during the dark and often dreary winter months. When you take your first coal delivery of the winter, consider that 300 years ago, the dusty black, carbon-based, sedimentary rock you will use to warm your home played a vital role in allowing the United Kingdom to become one of the world's most rapidly evolving nations. British coal production had reached 16 million tonnes by the Napoleonic War in 1815, and the reason was down to its versatility. Town gas, homes, electricity...