Why Burn Logs? 

• Until the industrial revolution, wood was the traditional fuel in the UK.

  Over the last 20 years firewood has been replaced by coal, oil and gas but our increasing awareness of the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels has led to a growing interest in using hardwood logs as a, low carbon alternative which is both sustainable and renewable.

  Burning hardwood logs efficiently  is a major source of renewable heat energy and produces virtually no smoke.

  As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), incorporating the carbon into new growth and returning oxygen to the atmosphere.

  When the hardwood logs are burned this carbon is oxidised and released as CO2. As a result, using hardwood logs from sustainably managed trees reduces net CO2 production (whilst small amounts are released by the activities of processing and transportation) compared to using fossil fuels.

  This means that hardwood logs used for heating can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels whilst also reducing our CO2 emissions.

We deliver locally using our own vehicles. 

Local delivery available to Merseyside & Wirral postcodes: L, PR8, PR9. CH41-49 & CH60-66. Local delivery available same working day and at weekends by agreement ... please ring first to confirm this is possible.

Nationwide delivery available across the UK using national hauliers using our partner website.

www.pumphousefarm.co.uk  

Nationwide Delivery 

How can burning hardwood logs be 'environmentally friendly'?

• Burning wood is carbon-neutral. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen that is essential for our planet's survival. When wood is burned or left to decay on the forest floor it will release the same amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.Hardwood logs are therefore an environmentally friendly fuel being a renewable energy source.

  The woodland in Britain is limited, but with effective management, a substantial quantity of hardwood logs are available from forestry which is not suitable for construction and other uses.

  Managing woodland improves biodiversity and increasing the proportion of managed woodland supports jobs in the forestry industry.

Why shouldn't you burn damp wood?

• Damp wood is difficult and inefficient to burn. In its natural state, wood contains from 65 to 95 per cent of water.

  Dry - or 'seasoned' - hardwood logs give a much higher energy output, which is why our hardwood logs are cut as soon as possible and stored in ventilated conditions until dry.

What size are the logs?

• Our standard logs are cut to around 225mm/9" long and are split. They are all clean and free from sawdust.When choosing wood for burning there are two significant factors which have an effect on the net calorific value (CV) or the amount of available heat per unit (volume) of fuel: Moisture Content & Wood Density ...

When choosing wood for burning there are two significant factors which have an effect on the net calorific value (CV) or the amount of available heat per unit (volume) of fuel: Moisture Content & Wood Density ...

Moisture Content

• Burning wet logs can build up the soot in your chimney or twin wall lining system, eventually reducing the diameter of the flue and causing a fire risk.

  Drying times vary between: different types of wood, split log sizes and the length of the logs.  You should expect to dry out your wood for a minimal period of a year to achieve seasoned firewood ie that does not spit but burns efficiently.

  The Moisture Content of wood has the greatest effect on net Calorific Value (CV). Any water in the firewood has to evaporate before the wood will burn, and this will reduce the net energy released as useful heat (as opposed to steaming up the chimney).

  Logs that aren’t dry will result in a fire that smoulders and creates lots of tars and smoke. These tars can be corrosive, potentially damaging the lining of the flue and increasing the danger of a chimney fire. Wet logs will tend to blacken glass in stoves even if the stove is designed to keep the glass clean. Well seasoned logs can have approximately twice the CV of green logs.

  Always burn dried (seasoned) wood. Radial cracks and bark that comes off easily are signs of well-seasoned wood.        

Wood Density

• When buying logs, it is common for the seller to let you know whether they are from hardwood or softwood tree species (or mixed).

  The general difference is that hardwoods (deciduous, broadleaved tree species) tend to be denser than softwoods (evergreen, coniferous species). This means that a tonne of hardwood logs will occupy a smaller space than a tonne of softwood logs.

  Dense woods ie hardwood logs, will burn for longer than less dense woods ie softwood logs, this means you will need fewer ‘top ups’ to keep a log stove burning. If you buy wood by volume you will receive more kilowatt hours (kWh) of heat from a cubic metre (m3) of hardwood logs than softwood logs (at the same moisture content).

Storing and Drying Logs and Firewood

• If you are burning firewood, it really should be dry,  but it is very difficult to get seasoned hardwood down to 20% unless you are buying kiln dried hardwood.

Dry firewood burns more efficiently and gives off more heat.

• Our Log Stores have been designed to encourage nature, to naturally dry and season freshly split logs and firewood as quickly as possible.

  Drying is dependent upon the type of firewood, diameter and length, split or not split, this process can take anywhere between six months and two years if you are seasoning your own firewood.

  Having dry firewood is a must for any type of wood burning. You must either buy pre-dried or seasoned firewood and keep it dry, or season your own.

Buy logs online....