As energy prices continue to soar in the UK and across the globe, many homeowners are searching for effective ways to manage heating costs. The rising costs of gas and electricity, driven by global market fluctuations, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes, have left people looking for alternatives. One increasingly popular option is heating with firewood—specifically, kiln-dried logs certified under the Ready to Burnscheme, like those supplied by The Log People.

In this post, we explore how switching to Ready To Burn certified kiln-dried firewood can help you save on heating costs while promoting sustainability. Whether you’re looking to lower bills or take more control of your heating, firewood can provide a versatile and efficient alternative.

Why buy Ready To Burn Kiln-Dried Logs?

Kiln-dried logs, especially those certified by the Ready to Burn scheme, offer several key benefits that make them a smart choice for reducing heating costs.

1. Cost Stability

Unlike gas and electricity, which fluctuate based on global markets, the cost of firewood is usually more predictable. Prices for kiln-dried logs are typically influenced by local factors like wood availability and transportation costs, making them less vulnerable to international market changes.

By using kiln-dried firewood, you can avoid the unpredictable rises in gas and electricity prices, allowing you to budget for your heating more effectively. This cost stability is a major reason why more UK homeowners are turning to firewood as a reliable and affordable alternative.

2. High Energy Efficiency

Kiln-dried logs have a moisture content of less than 20%, which means they burn more efficiently than unseasoned or wet wood. The drying process removes excess moisture, allowing more of the wood’s energy to convert into heat. This efficiency means you’ll need fewer logs to heat your home, resulting in lower overall fuel costs.

Wet wood, by contrast, uses much of its energy to evaporate water, resulting in a poor heat output. You’ll end up burning through more wood and spending more money without the same warmth. Ready to Burn kiln-dried logs are engineered for optimal heat production, ensuring you get more heat per log.

• Buy Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs

3. Reduced Fuel Consumption

Thanks to their low moisture content, kiln-dried logs burn hotter and longer than unseasoned firewood. This not only means you should need fewer logs to heat your home but also reduces how often you need to refuel your wood-burning stove or fireplace.

Using fewer logs translates to lower heating costs, makingReady to Burn kiln-dried firewooda highly cost-efficient solution. Over the course of a winter, you could significantly cut down on the amount of firewood you need to purchase, resulting in substantial savings.

How can firewood help homeowners beat rising energy costs?

Rising gas and electricity prices have made many homeowners rethink their dependency on gas and electricity. Heating with Ready to Burn kiln-dried logs gives you more control over your energy costs and helps you reduce your dependence on the national grid.

1. Energy Independence

For those in rural or off-grid areas, where gas and electricity access can be unreliable or expensive, firewood offers a dependable heating option. Wood-burning stoves fuelled by kiln-dried logs provide a consistent heat source, especially in areas prone to power cuts or energy shortages during winter.

Having a stockpile of kiln-dried logs means you can keep your home warm regardless of external factors affecting the energy supply. This independence is particularly useful during cold snaps when heating is critical, and it offers peace of mind knowing you’re not at the mercy of price spikes or supply interruptions.

2. Reliable Heating in Rural Areas

If you live in a remote area, you’re probably familiar with energy disruptions during storms or cold winters. With firewood, you don’t need to worry about power outages – your home stays warm as long as you have logs on hand. This reliability makes firewood an excellent backup or even a primary heating source in rural areas where the energy infrastructure may be less reliable.

INSIDER TIP: Buy firewood in advance, not when you need it

Sarah Fleetwood from The Log People, says:

“As more homeowners install log-burning stoves and turn to wood fuel to reduce heating costs, demand for quality firewood has skyrocketed. It’s understandable, because log burners offer both an economical heating option and a cosy aesthetic appeal. However, the competition for kiln-dried logs has become fierce, and as we all know, trees can’t grow any faster just because there’s more demand.

“With that in mind, the only way to stay ahead of the game is to secure your firewood supply for the cooler months is to order well in advance of when you need to use them. Don’t order when you’re running low. Instead, order several weeks in advance. Once your log delivery arrives, consider placing your next order to ensure a steady and consistent supply.”

Firewood: A Sustainable Heating Solution

Heating with firewood, especially Ready To Burn certified kiln-dried logs, is not only a cost-effective way to manage your heating expenses, but it’s also a sustainable choice. Here’s why:

1. Environmentally Friendly

Kiln-dried logs certified under the Ready to Burn scheme must be sourced responsibly. This means the wood is traceable, often from sustainably managed forests that replant trees to replace those that have been felled. Many certified logs, including those supplied by The Log People, are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or having a felling licence, ensuring that they come from sustainably managed forests.

This sustainable approach reduces the environmental impact of heating, especially compared to fossil fuels like gas or oil, which contribute significantly to carbon emissions and climate change.

2. Lower Emissions

Burning kiln-dried logs produces fewer harmful emissions than burning wet or unseasoned wood. The low moisture content of kiln-dried logs ensures a cleaner, more efficient burn, reducing the release of particulates and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This helps the UK meet its clean air targets and reduces pollution, especially in urban areas.

By choosing Ready to Burn logs, you can lower your carbon footprint while enjoying a more efficient and cost-effective heating solution.

Practical tips for saving money with firewood

If you’re thinking about making the switch to heating your home with firewood, here are our top tips to help you get the most out of your wood fuel:

1. Buy in Bulk

Purchasing kiln-dried logs in bulk is often cheaper in the long run. Many suppliers, like The Log People, offer discounts and price breaks when you buy large quantities, ensuring you have enough firewood to last through the winter at a lower overall cost. The more you buy the more you save!

2. Store Your Logs Properly

To help get the best performance from your firewood, make sure it’s stored correctly. Logs should be kept in a dry, well-ventilated area, ideally in a log store or a well-sheltered and ventilated space that allows air to circulate while protecting the wood from rain. This will help keep your kiln-dried logs in the best condition and ensure they burn efficiently when you need them.

• Read more: How to store logs and keep them dry

3. Use a Modern, Efficient Stove

Pairing your kiln-dried logs with a modern, eco-efficient wood-burning stove will certainly enhance the performance of your firewood. Many newer stoves are designed to burn wood more efficiently, extracting more heat and producing fewer emissions. Over time, investing in a high-quality stove can help you save even more on your heating costs.

• Looking for a new wood burning stove? Check out members of the Stove Industry Association.

How to maximise heat output from Ready To  Burn certified kiln-dried logs

To make the most of your firewood, here are a few tips to maximise heat output:

• Start with small, dry kindling to get a fire stared.
• Use 1-2 natural firelighters to ignite your kindling with ease.
• Add kiln dried softwood logs gradually to build your fire and warm both your flue and appliance,
• Add 1-2 hardwood logs once the fire is established, allowing you to sustain the burn.
• Ensure good airflow by leaving enough space between the logs for air to circulate.
• Sweep your chimney at least once a year to remove any creosote build-up that could reduce your stove’s efficiency, and in the worst case scenario, cause a chimney fire.
• Find a HETAS registered chimney sweep

Support local economies by choosing locally sourced firewood

Buying kiln-dried logs from a local supplier not only helps you save on heating costs but also supports local economies and reduces transportation miles. By sourcing firewood locally, you reduce the carbon footprint associated with logistics and help sustain local jobs in forestry and firewood supply. Many local firewood businesses, like The Log People, are committed to environmentally responsible practices and offer high-quality, sustainably and locally sourced kiln dried logs.

Conclusion: Firewood CAN help you take control of your heating costs! 

As energy prices in the UK continue to rise, heating with Ready to Burn certified kiln-dried logs offers a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective solution to controlling home heating costs. With predictable costs, high efficiency, and the potential for energy independence, firewood can present a reliable way to manage your heating expenses while reducing your environmental impact – but only if you plan and order ahead in the face of growing competition for quality wood fuel.

By choosing kiln-dried logs from reputable Ready To Burn certified suppliers like The Log People, you can enjoy the warmth and security of a cost-effective, sustainable heating source. Whether you’re looking to reduce bills or gain more control over your home heating, firewood can be a smart and eco-friendly choice for UK homeowners who order their logs in advance to guarantee their supply in the cooler months.