Using wood for heating - Climate Change bill highlights this!

On the 14th November 2007, the House of Lords introduced the CLIMATE CHANGE BILL. This ensures that the Secretary of State has a duty to reduce the NET carbon emissions of the UK in 2050 to 60% of the "targeted" greenhouses gases measured in 1990.

PHEW!!!! Why, oh why, can't they use simple English?

Logically, it is now seen that wood based fuels (biomass, natural timbers) and hence wood burning appliances can be a major part of the reduction process.

Think of it this way, in an existing dwelling, usually pre 1950, you can normally find a traditional brick built chimney.

This chimney is sometimes utilised for an existing open flued, highly inefficient gas or smokeless fuel (solid fuel) appliance (PRIMARY HEATING). Upgrading this appliance to a NEW higher efficiency wood or wood pellet HEATING stove will both lower NETT carbon emissions, it is usually the EASIEST way to introduce RENEWABLE energy sources to the home and, with few exceptions, the picture from the firebox (flames) are a real heart warming sight!

If the chimney is utilised for a gas fire (SECONDARY HEATING), then testing and altering the installation to suit a wood or wood pellet NON HEATING stove can both aethestically improve the looks of the room in which it is situated and also, naturally lower the NETT carbon emission of the property.

Wood and timber is easily sourced for the majority of us. There are also a vast array of online suppliers of suitable fuels, should easy access to a local source not be available.. However, local sources are sometimes FREE, thus overall heating costs are also reduced.

Thus if wood or wood products are used, ALONGSIDE high efficiency gas (or oil) boilers and even possibly with other renewables such as AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS or SOLAR, the carbon footprint of the house can be dramatically reduced.

Our company specialises in SOLID FUEL, GAS and RENEWABLE installations. Just email me -

phil@ hwood.co.uk

I'll help wherever I can.

As a note I have an AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP (ASHP) fitted at home, in tandem with a BAND A high efficiency gas boiler. I am also fitting a FIREBELLY wood burning stove to suppliment my heating. A further blog will be coming regarding the ASHP; it's installation and full running details.

Exciting new products - Firebelly stoves

We are currently in the process of upgrading our showroom and showhouse to accommodate two installations of fantastic designer stoves from the innovative GB company - FIREBELLY. These stoves are solid fuel fired, naturally suited for timber but multifuel options can be purchased.

We will be installing a FB stove in our showroom within a SHIRESTONE Large Wingfield Inglenook fireplace. This display will be a "standing display"; in other words it will not be working. None-the-less I think it will look fabulous!!

We will also be installing a FB1 (Hopefully, flue tests permitting) into our SHOWHOUSE. This will be installed in to a Fabulous Fireplaces custom built inglenook fireplace formed from Black Granite and pure white Agean marble. This will be a live display, demonstrating the heat output and operation of the FB1.

Photos of both installations will follow as soon as they are completed.

Watch this space.

A beautiful day & the Nottingham Eye

It's Sunday 10th February, a very, very balmy 14 degrees celcius. the sun is shining, people are out in Nottingahm shopping - albeit not in droves, car parks are once again half empty.

And what a site Nottingham is. A 60 metre high ferris wheel, the "Nottingham Eye" has been constructed in the centre of the market square, it literally is enormous!

Standing over the buildings like some silent leviathon, it is truely a site to see!

Nottingham, at any time, is a beautiful city, but today, in the sunshine, in the warmth, seeing the Nottingham Eye, turning slowly, what a day, what a sight.

Enjoy!

Fantastic new fireplace deals - nationwide delivery

We've just arranged a national delivery campaign for a fantastic range of hand crafted stone fireplaces.

A fireplace really is the focal point to a room; setting the nature and scene for the whole home in some cases.

Shirestone fireplaces exude quality; their very form is a credit to the artisans who produced them and what more, we can now deliver them anywhere in the mainland UK.

Take a look at our website -

http://www.hwood.co.uk/shirestone.html

This is the Bevoir, a superb example by any standard.

We are happy to deliver direct to your door, we will advise you on how to install this beautifully crafted fireplace, we will even install it for you! (At an agreed price of course!)

Wet rooms ...

Today we started work converting a classic 1970's bathroom into a classy 2008 wet room ... watch this space!


In due course the room will be tiled from floor to ceiling, have a luxury shower and top of the range fixtures and fittings.