The announcement that the UK energy price cap is set to rise again from July 2026 is another difficult reminder of how exposed UK households remain to global energy shocks.

From 1 July to 30 September 2026, Ofgem has announced a 13% rise in the energy price cap. For a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, that means the annual figure rises from £1,641 to £1,862.

For many families, that is not a small increase. It is another pressure at a time when energy bills, food costs and wider household expenses already feel hard to predict.

The reason behind the rise matters too. Higher wholesale energy costs, linked to the conflict in Iran and wider instability in the Middle East, have once again shown how events far beyond our own homes can quickly affect the cost of heating them.

So, what can households do?

In short: the July energy price cap rise is a reminder that UK households need more resilience in how they heat their homes. For stove owners, Woodsure Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs, like those supplied by The Log People, can provide a practical supplementary heat source – especially when bought early, stored properly and burned responsibly.

At The Log People, we believe this is the right moment for a practical conversation about household energy resilience.

Not a political one. Not a defensive one.

A practical one.

How can households create more choice?
How can stove owners plan ahead?
And where does responsible wood burning fit into a modern home heating mix?

What Does the July Energy Price Cap Rise Mean for Households?

The energy price cap does not cap your total bill.

It limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge customers on default tariffs. So if you use more energy, you still pay more.

That distinction matters.

For households already trying to manage costs carefully, a 13% increase is another reason to think about efficiency, usage and backup heating options.

For stove owners, it also raises an important question:

If you already have a wood burner, are you making the most of it?

The Log People’s View

We don’t believe wood burning should be treated as a magic solution to rising energy bills.

But we do believe households deserve choice.

For people who already have a suitable stove or wood burner, a well-stocked log store can offer something valuable: extra control when energy markets feel unpredictable.

Used properly, with Woodsure Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs, good airflow and sensible stove practice, firewood can form part of a more resilient home heating plan.

It will not be the answer for every household.

But for many stove owners, wood burning is sensible part of a wider approach to warmth, comfort and winter readiness.

Warm Homes Matter for Health and Wellbeing

Rising energy bills are not just a financial issue.

They affect how confident people feel about keeping their homes warm enough during winter.

Cold homes can affect comfort, sleep, physical health and mental wellbeing – particularly for older people, young children and those with existing health conditions.

That is why conversations about home heating need to stay balanced.

Air quality matters.
Efficiency matters.
Cost matters.

But warmth matters too.

For many stove owners, a fire is not only a heat source. It brings comfort, atmosphere and reassurance during colder months.

And when households are anxious about energy costs and winter bills, that reassurance matters.

Energy Resilience Is No Longer a Niche Concern

Energy resilience simply means having more than one way to keep your home warm, comfortable and manageable when prices rise or supply chains become uncertain.

It does not mean relying on one single heat source.

In fact, it means the opposite.

It means having options.

For some households, that might mean improving insulation, using heating controls more carefully, reviewing tariffs or reducing unnecessary energy use.

For households with a suitable stove or log burner, it can also mean keeping a reliable supply of properly dried firewood ready at home.

Responsible wood burning is not about replacing every form of heating.

For most homes, it will not.

But it can provide valuable support, especially during colder evenings, high-demand periods, rural supply challenges, or times when people want to reduce how often they rely on central heating.

Wood Burning Is About Choice, Not Replacement

The conversation around log burners is often presented in very black and white terms.

But real households do not live in black and white.

Some people use their stove occasionally for comfort and atmosphere.
Some use it to heat the main room they spend time in.
Some rural households rely on wood burning as an important part of their wider heating setup.

For many stove owners, firewood provides flexibility.

It allows you to heat the room you are using rather than warming the whole house unnecessarily. It gives you more control during colder weather. And when energy prices rise, that control matters.

Wood burning should not be treated as a free pass to burn anything, in any appliance, in any way.

Standards matter.

But when done responsibly, with dry fuel, a suitable appliance and good technique, wood burners have a valuable place in household energy resilience.

Firewood, Central Heating and Energy Resilience

Firewood is not a replacement for every form of heating. For most households, it works best as a supplementary heat source.

Central heating warms the whole home. A stove can help heat the room you are actually using.

That distinction matters.

Used sensibly, a stove can help households feel more in control during cold evenings, high-demand periods and uncertain energy markets.

It is not about abandoning modern heating systems.

It is about adding another layer of resilience.

For many households, especially in rural or off-grid areas, having more than one way to heat the home provides reassurance.

That does not mean replacing central heating altogether.

It means having options.

A modern stove, used correctly with dry, Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs, can sit alongside other heating technologies and help households maintain a warm, comfortable living space during colder months.

Responsible Wood Burning Has Changed

Not all wood burning is the same.

There is a huge difference between burning wet wood on an old, inefficient appliance and burning Woodsure Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs on a well-maintained modern Ecodesign stove.

Fuel quality matters.
Appliance choice matters.
Technique matters.

Ready To Burn certified firewood has a moisture content of 20% or below. That means it lights more easily, burns hotter and produces less smoke than wet or poorly seasoned wood.

When combined with proper airflow, visible flame, annual chimney sweeping and correct refuelling, dry firewood supports cleaner, more efficient combustion.

That is the standard responsible stove owners should be aiming for.

Why Stove Owners Should Buy Firewood Before Winter Demand Peaks

If you already use a stove or wood burner, planning ahead is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from winter supply pressures.

Buying early is not about panic-buying.

It is about planning calmly before the rush.

Every year, demand for firewood rises as the weather turns colder. That can mean busier delivery schedules, less flexibility and reduced availability for customers who leave ordering until the last minute.

Ordering ahead gives you more choice, more certainty and more time to store your logs properly before you need them.

Stocking up before peak season helps you:

• Secure your winter firewood early
• Avoid last-minute panic when temperatures drop
• Choose the right mix of softwood to build fires and hardwood to sustain
• Give yourself time to store logs properly
• Reduce the risk of running short during cold spells
• Plan your household heating with more confidence
• Get logs at the most competitive prices

A full log store is not just convenient.

It gives peace of mind.

When wider energy prices feel uncertain, knowing you have a reliable source of warmth ready at home can make a real difference.

Planning ahead for winter?
Explore our Woodsure Ready to Burn kiln dried logs and stock up before peak season.

Softwood and Hardwood: Why the Right Mix Matters

Not all logs do the same job.

At The Log People, we often talk about using softwood and hardwood together because they each play a different role in building an efficient fire.

Softwood is excellent for building heat quickly. It lights easily, raises stove temperature fast and helps establish strong flames.

Hardwood is denser and burns for longer. It is ideal for sustaining steady heat once your stove is properly up to temperature and you have a strong ember bed.

The simple rule is:

Softwood logs build the fire.
Hardwood logs sustain it.

When stove owners understand this, their fire usually performs much better.

It lights faster.
It burns cleaner.
It produces steadier heat.
And hardwood combusts more efficiently once the stove has reached combustible temperatures.

That is the kind of practical knowledge that helps stove owners get more from their fuel.

Why Local Firewood Matters

Energy resilience is not just about what you burn.

It’s also about where it comes from.

At The Log People, our logs are locally and sustainably sourced within a 50-mile radius of our Oswestry-based depot. That helps reduce unnecessary transport miles, supports local forestry and keeps more value within the regional economy.

In a world where global energy markets can shift quickly, local supply chains matter more than ever.

Firewood is not just a product or a heating source.

It is part of a local supply chain that supports people, woodland management and rural economies.

When households choose local, responsibly sourced firewood, they are not only preparing their own homes. They are supporting the wider resilience of the area they live in too.

Good Firewood Is About Confidence

We have always believed that good firewood is about more than simply getting logs through the door.

It is about confidence.

Confidence that your logs are dry.
Confidence that they will light properly.
Confidence that your stove will perform as it should when the colder evenings arrive.

That is what planning ahead gives you.

And at a time when energy prices are uncertain, that confidence matters.

A Balanced View on Wood Burning and the Environment

It would be wrong to pretend wood burning has no environmental impact.

It does.

But it would also be wrong to ignore the progress made through better fuel standards, modern appliances and improved consumer awareness.

The conversation should not be reduced to “wood burning good” or “wood burning bad”.

It should be balanced, evidence-led and focused on better standards.

The future of wood burning should not be about outdated habits.

It should be about higher standards.

That means:

• Ready to Burn certified logs with moisture content of 20% or below
• Modern, efficient appliances where possible
• Correct installation and good ventilation
• Properly maintained stoves and chimneys
• Good airflow and visible flame
• Following manufacturer guidance
• No wet wood, treated wood or household waste
• Local and sustainable sourcing wherever possible

This is how wood burning fits responsibly into a modern home heating mix.

What Can Stove Owners Do Now?

If rising energy bills are making you think more carefully about winter, there are practical steps you can take now.

1. Stock up before peak season

Ordering earlier gives you more choice, price stability, more delivery flexibility and more peace of mind.

2. Choose Ready To Burn certified firewood

Dry logs light more easily, burn hotter and produce less smoke.

3. Keep both softwood and hardwood available

Softwood helps build fires and warm flues quickly. Hardwood sustains for long-lasting warmth.

4. Store logs properly

Keep logs off the ground, under cover and well ventilated so they stay dry.

5. Burn responsibly

Maintain airflow, avoid slumbering and refuel while the ember bed is still active.

Small choices made now can make winter feel much more manageable.

Energy Resilience Starts With Practical Choices

The July energy price cap rise is another reminder that households need options.

For some, that may mean reviewing tariffs, improving insulation or using heating controls more carefully.

For stove owners, it may also mean preparing earlier, stocking up before winter and choosing high-quality firewood that performs properly.

Responsible wood burning is not about turning back the clock.

It is about using a traditional heat source in a modern, informed and efficient way.

At a time when energy markets feel increasingly uncertain, having choice matters.

And for many households, a well-stocked log store, properly dried firewood and a well-run stove offer something valuable:

Warmth.
Reassurance.
And a little more control.

Fire Up the Feel Good

If you’re planning ahead for winter, now is a sensible time to stock up before peak season.

Choose Woodsure Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs. Store them properly. Use softwood to build heat and hardwood to sustain it.

Burn smart.
Burn responsibly.
And give yourself one less thing to worry about when the cold weather returns.

Build your winter fuel plan now:
Shop Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs, explore our “build and burn” softwood and hardwood bundles, or build your own pallet to suit the burning needs of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the energy price cap rising in July 2026?

The energy price cap is rising because wholesale energy costs have increased, with global gas prices affected by conflict in Iran and wider instability in the Middle East. Ofgem has announced a 13% rise for the July to September 2026 price cap period.

Does the energy price cap limit my total bill?

No. The energy price cap limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge customers on default tariffs. Your total bill still depends on how much energy you use.

Why do warm homes matter for health and wellbeing?

Warm homes support comfort, sleep, physical health and mental wellbeing, especially for older people, young children and those with existing health conditions. That is why home heating conversations need to consider cost, air quality, efficiency and warmth together.

Can a wood burner help reduce reliance on central heating?

For homes with a suitable stove, firewood can provide supplementary heat for the room being used. It will not replace whole-house heating for most households, but it can form part of a more flexible home heating approach.

Is firewood a replacement for central heating?

For most households, no. Firewood is best understood as a supplementary heat source. A stove can help heat the room you are actually using, while central heating remains part of the wider home heating system.

Is it worth buying firewood before winter?

Yes. Buying firewood before peak season gives you more choice, better delivery flexibility and peace of mind that your log store is ready before demand increases.

What is Ready To Burn firewood?

Ready To Burn firewood is certified as having a moisture content of 20% or below. Dry wood lights more easily, burns hotter and produces less smoke than wet or poorly seasoned wood.

What is the best firewood for a log burner?

For best results, always use dry, Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs. Softwood is useful for building heat quickly, while hardwood is ideal for sustaining long-lasting warmth once the stove is properly up to temperature.

Why use softwood and hardwood together?

Softwood and hardwood do different jobs. Softwood lights quickly and helps raise stove temperature. Hardwood is denser and sustains steady heat once a strong ember bed has formed.

👉 Order your Ready to Burn kiln dried logs today – and burn responsibly with confidence

About the Author

Sarah Fleetwood is Director of The Log People, a UK supplier of Woodsure Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs delivering across Shropshire, North Wales and Merseyside. She works closely with stove owners and domestic fuel customers, advocating for responsible burning practices, local and sustainable sourcing and improved combustion efficiency.