Page 6 | Wood burning stoves are annoying and OVERRATED and now I've read they cause THREE TIMES more air pollution than road traffic!

flashbac · 2021-12-17T12:58:48+00:00

I have one (came with the house) and it's such a high maintenance beast. Wood isn't cheap either. It makes a mess too. So overrated and harmful to the environment.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 18/12/2021 10:40

There were 2 in our house when we moved in and we ripped them straight out. They'd been using them even though they were condemned and I didn't want them replaced.
Our neighbour attached has a fire on each end of the house (we're attached across the back of the house) and it really pisses me off. We can't open windows, we can't go in the garden, we can't have washing out and the stench seeps through the keyholes and through the vents.
His house is lower than ours so all the chimney shit comes directly at our house instead of away.
He also burns unseasoned and wet wood which makes it worse.

DdraigGoch · 18/12/2021 14:25

@MerryDeath

extremely underrated opinion here. i can't believe the damage people are willing/ignorant too for an aesthetic 🙄🙄🙄🙄

I agree, the number of people driving flashy cars when they could just as easily cycle is ridiculous. Don't they realise that they're killing us all individually, and the planet as a whole? Never mind that they are also driving themselves to an early grave through lack of exercise and massacring children.

Elphame · 18/12/2021 15:14

@ElftonWednesday

I have an open fire and wouldn't give it up for the world.

Likewise!

I would hate to be 100% reliant on the national grid.

Original poster

flashbac · 18/12/2021 16:25

Lots of people from rural/cut off areas replying. Obviously nobody is going to begrudge you lot having a fire in the same way a farmer might need a 4x4. I'm talking about usage in built up areas that have mains electricity AND gas. I had no clue they were such polluting beasts.

OP posts:

Tessellation · 18/12/2021 16:34

Where we live wood burners are a fashion statement rather than a necessity. Not much thought given to suburban pollution or to particulates and the dangers to children's lungs. Not much thought given to anything beyond their own bubbles to be fair. We have an open fire that we don't use. DH comes from a country where heat pumps were the norm. We'll probably end up putting one in eventually once there is a bit more choice on the market.

JuergenSchwarzwald · 18/12/2021 16:40

There was an article in the Times about it today as well.

But nothing will happen because it's the same demographic that own SUVs and go on ski-ing holidays and they don't care if they trash the climate for their aspirational middle class lifestyle.

rrhuth · 18/12/2021 16:53

@JuergenSchwarzwald

There was an article in the Times about it today as well.

But nothing will happen because it's the same demographic that own SUVs and go on ski-ing holidays and they don't care if they trash the climate for their aspirational middle class lifestyle.

I don't understand why they don't care about polluting their own houses though?

Lockheart · 18/12/2021 17:04

@flashbac

Lots of people from rural/cut off areas replying. Obviously nobody is going to begrudge you lot having a fire in the same way a farmer might need a 4x4. I'm talking about usage in built up areas that have mains electricity AND gas. I had no clue they were such polluting beasts.

Built up areas still get cold when the power goes out. Mains electricity and gas are useless then too.

Hankunamatata · 18/12/2021 17:16

Dont see the attraction. Inlaws have one. Its dirty, needs constant cleaning and clothes stink of smoke.

Hankunamatata · 18/12/2021 17:18

We went for bottle gas fire as secondary back up heat source if we lose power. We also have a camping gas stove.

A580Hojas · 18/12/2021 20:15

@flashbac

Lots of people from rural/cut off areas replying. Obviously nobody is going to begrudge you lot having a fire in the same way a farmer might need a 4x4. I'm talking about usage in built up areas that have mains electricity AND gas. I had no clue they were such polluting beasts.

This is what drives me mad! Here in London zone 2 we now have the ULEZ as well as the congestion charge for motorists. And yet woodburners (and firepits in the summer) are not restricted. Absolutely ridiculous.

StoneofDestiny · 18/12/2021 20:27

Booked 3 nights away recently in a rural hotel when the storm cut all power. No heating, lighting, gas fires or hot water. The hotel had no open fires so it got cold very quickly. We left after 1 night.
Wished they had had at least some alternative heating source like an open fire or wood burner.

Very glad we have a wood burner (defra approved model) - not used other than in the coldest days (house super insulated etc). Seriously glad we have one should we have power failure. Must say - I don't recognise half the descriptions here about mess, smell and expense.

DdraigGoch · 18/12/2021 20:30

@flashbac

Lots of people from rural/cut off areas replying. Obviously nobody is going to begrudge you lot having a fire in the same way a farmer might need a 4x4. I'm talking about usage in built up areas that have mains electricity AND gas. I had no clue they were such polluting beasts.

Where do you draw the line OP? You won't find much opposition on here to banning them in cities (proper cities, not villages with cathedrals), and I'm sure that you won't begrudge a remote hill farm their fire, so where should the line between the two be drawn?

StoneofDestiny · 18/12/2021 20:31

But nothing will happen because it's the same demographic that own SUVs and go on ski-ing holidays and they don't care if they trash the climate for their aspirational middle class lifestyle

🙄🙄 I don't drive an SUV or go skiing. I do drive and travel widely though. Our home is Grade A for energy saving / insulation measures.

elenacampana · 18/12/2021 20:42

@JuergenSchwarzwald

There was an article in the Times about it today as well.

But nothing will happen because it's the same demographic that own SUVs and go on ski-ing holidays and they don't care if they trash the climate for their aspirational middle class lifestyle.

Never been on a skiing holiday and I don’t have an SUV… or a driving license.

Got my stove put in last year and light it occasionally. It’s brought character back into my house and I’d do it again tomorrow!

DdraigGoch · 18/12/2021 21:08

I don't own a car of any description. When I go on holiday, I take the train. I'm very firmly in a blue-collar occupation.

I will install energy efficiency measures when I can afford them, but I just don't have tens of thousands swilling around my bank account.

Bluntness100 · 19/12/2021 09:00

Well I do drive a 4x4, as I live semi rurally with crap roads, and I was scared shitless driving at night in the rain or ice on those unlit roads, which even have trenches either side to prevent flooding, in my old small car. Not that I need to justify my car choice.

We also have two wood burners , as it’s an old listed building and takes a lot of heating, and we are self sufficient in wood.

What should we do with the wood from our garden when a tree comes down, ans why should we pay to only use central heating? I don’t think so.

Keepitonthedownlow · 19/12/2021 09:15

So many people like the aesthetic of a Woodburner. But the reality is increasingly bonkers and selfish. I'm to to have a balanced flue gas stove fitted like this www.stovesareus.co.uk/yeoman-cl5-contemporary-balanced-flue-gas-stove.html

Keepitonthedownlow · 19/12/2021 09:16

@Bluntness100

Well I do drive a 4x4, as I live semi rurally with crap roads, and I was scared shitless driving at night in the rain or ice on those unlit roads, which even have trenches either side to prevent flooding, in my old small car. Not that I need to justify my car choice.

We also have two wood burners , as it’s an old listed building and takes a lot of heating, and we are self sufficient in wood.

What should we do with the wood from our garden when a tree comes down, ans why should we pay to only use central heating? I don’t think so.

Your lifestyle is very unsustainable

thegcatsmother · 19/12/2021 09:52

How is Bluntness100s life unsustainable? The countryside isn't a theme park, people live and work there. There is sod all public transport, and no gritters in winter, so a reliable car with 4 wheel drive makes sense. She is preserving an older building, and using her own wood to heat it. What is the problem?

It's all very well being sniffy about it, but if people didn't live rurally, you wouldn't get fed; the land wouldn't be managed etc.

Fomofo · 19/12/2021 09:56

Sorry if this has been explained, but are open fires and woodburners equally polluting?

Keepitonthedownlow · 19/12/2021 09:59

@thegcatsmother

How is Bluntness100s life unsustainable? The countryside isn't a theme park, people live and work there. There is sod all public transport, and no gritters in winter, so a reliable car with 4 wheel drive makes sense. She is preserving an older building, and using her own wood to heat it. What is the problem?

It's all very well being sniffy about it, but if people didn't live rurally, you wouldn't get fed; the land wouldn't be managed etc.

I think you'll find you're over romantising. Many people choose to live rurally because they want bigger homes and gardens. Then moan they need 4 by 4s etc. The worst of course are the urbanites with 4 by 4s and wood burners which is more what the OP was referring to before all the rural types jumped onto the thread.

Nanny0gg · 19/12/2021 10:02

@Keepitonthedownlow

Agreed. Are they not also really bad for the indoor air?

Yes.

If you have any form of breathing condition they are very bad for you

Nanny0gg · 19/12/2021 10:05

@ElftonWednesday

Really? I gave mine up to avoid lung damage

Are you this much fun at parties?

Wow!

You do know there are people who really can't risk being in a room for any length of time with one?

Willyoujustbequiet · 19/12/2021 10:05

I love the look and smell but after finding out how bad they are for health and the environment I would never have one.

I especially couldn't with children in the house.