In recent years there has been a significant increase in the market for wood burning appliances. As environmental issues have pricked the social conscience, and people take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, there has been a preference to carbon neutral solutions over coal or gas fuel. Whilst coal, gas and other higher carbon fuels are suffering in terms of cost and high emissions, wood and wood based fuels are becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers and installers in this industry are reaping the benefits of increased sales and growth due to the levels of demand. Customers want the best of both; to have solutions that make their house comfortable and to save on carbon. Essentially customers still enjoy the charm of stoves that have a real flame.
The use of sustainable wood fuels is now considered a viable carbon neutral option for both the commercial and domestic market and when combined with other technologies could lead to the visionary zero carbon home of the future. Solid fuel is classed as wood, wood based biomass fuels and solid mineral fuels, amongst these wood biomass being the most environmentally friendly. Many people prefer the lifestyle choice of wood burning equipment and the industry body HETAS is on hand to ensure customers have access to high quality wood.
As a green customer if you are worried about the carbon miles incurred from transporting the wood, you should find it easy to source from local suppliers. The cost of purchasing wood is still relatively high but as demand continues to increase and the idea of carbon neutrality becomes the norm, price should start to fall.
HETAS is also there to make sure that you have access to the right products and services. They provide information on approved registered installers and independently test manufacturers? appliances so you can be confident of purchasing a product that complies with the current regulations. It is advisable to get your appliance installed by a registered HETAS installer not only for their skill and competence but to avoid the need to apply for a Building Notice from your local authority (which may cost over ?200). Additionally by using a HETAS registered installer you have the peace of mind that your appliance has efficiency figures or CE marking, instructions in English, can be installed easily and gives you recourse for a refund if anything goes wrong.
As a renewable and carbon neutral energy source wood fuelled appliances are set to lead the way. An important consideration is the sourcing of sustainable wood in order for the carbon cycle to remain intact. Sustainable sources of wood include Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified wood, woodland managed under the Woodland Grant Scheme or wood felled after the issue (by the Forestry Commission of a Felling Licence).
When choosing wood it is better to buy by volume rather than weight because a large proportion of freshly felled wood is made up of water. Some of the best woods to burn in your wood burning appliance are ash, hornbeam, beech and hawthorn.
Carbon footprint is a subject that has affected almost everyone in the UK. The level of carbon footprint released by an individual is measured almost obsessively with many companies changing the way they use their equipments and replacing much of their energy-sourced facilities. Many establishments do not know how to reduce their carbon emissions and often seek assistance from carbon consultants.
The role of carbon consultants stems from the concern of carbon foot printing, which has now become a cause for concern in homes and businesses. Becoming energy efficient is now a vital part of running a successful business, with many IT firms now opting towards reducing their carbon footprint. External agencies that specialise in this field focus on finding ways of helping a business run smoothly whilst becoming more energy efficient and without compromising the performance of the company.
Companies that approach carbon consultants are able to determine where they are using the most energy and where this needs to be reduced. These are usually done by taking sight surveys, this normally takes a few days identifying and quantifying the amount of carbon emission. At the end of the few days, the company is presented with a report of the measured carbon emissions, which will indicate what steps to take to reduce this. Calculating your carbon emissions is just the first step. Taking the initial steps to improving this is something that requires dedication.
Many companies find that the smallest pieces of equipment can consume a lot of energy. The main concerns for energy consumption is the number of computers used in an office and the amount of heat needed for a building. Once a company has undergone a survey of this kind, it can often be very difficult to change the way the office is running. Cutting down carbon emission could mean replacing equipment and changing computer equipment. This is a necessary task in order to maintain an energy efficient business.
The best way to instigate these new dimensions is to start slow and focus on one aspect of where it may use too much energy, reducing that down and then allowing time to adjust into this new system. The heating system is just one of the first things to look into as many people are accustomed to radiant heating rather than electric or underfloor heating. Radiator heaters produce a lot of heat but are also high on wasting heat, as this is stored further up in the ceiling rather than below where it is needed. Finding alternative ways of conserving heat may save you money and energy, without the fear of wasting energy.
A carbon consultant will ensure that you reduce your energy use in the right places, saving you money and improving your business prospects through your initiative to keep the company energy efficient.
Both Martin Forrester & Anna Stenning are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Martin Forrester has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Home Management and Entertainment Guide. For more information on using please visit HETAS registered installers. Martin Forrester's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Anna Stenning has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Management and Wedding Gifts. Anna Stenning has worked with in the past, in an attempt to become more energy efficient.. Anna Stenning's top article generates over 4090000 views. to your Favourites.