Is a log fire economical?

[EachPeachPearPlum]

Hello everyone,

I'm quite new to Mumsnet (TTC no. 1 at the moment) and this is my first thread! I have just moved to a new house that has a fireplace in the lounge and I'd really love to start using that this winter and cut down on the central heating. But we don't spend that much on gas as it is (£20 a month in the old house although it will probably be a bit more here). So I'm starting to think that although it will be lovely to have a fire it will probably end up costing more than it saves what with the cost of logs and kindling and yearly chimney sweeping etc. Am I right? Does anyone else do this?

We get free logs and chop some up for kinkling - try freecycle or go for a walk in the woods.

Chimney sweep - yet to have ours done but next door pays £25 cash.

Coal - we bought a few bags when they were 3 for 2 in Focu last winter. About £15 for whole winter. We don't light it all the time and I love ours. In fact we didn't have a working fireplace so had one put into this house so very you have one already.

We actually took out a gas fire and installed a log burner in our sitting room and i can honestly say it's the best thing we ever did. We burn all our cardboard packaging and paper, and beg wood from all our friends - once we put the word around there always seems to be someone (or a friend of a friend) who has cut a tree down or has pallets to get rid of etc. You need to be a bit resourceful you could look in the yellow pages and contact a local tree surgeon to see if you can take wood off his hands cheaply or for free. And also small local factories or whatever, they may have pallets you can burn. We also trawl the local country lanes after it's been windy, it's amazing how much wood you can just pick up from the side of the road! Dh has prided himself on not spending any money on wood now for about 3 years!(You do need to check your flue lining etc, so you know exactly what you can and can't burn). Chimney sweeping is really not that expensive in the scheme of things, and having a lovely hot sitting room really extends the 'central heating off' time in spring and autumn. And of course, there is nothing more lovely on a freezing cold winters night than sitting in front of a lovely blazing fire. hth.

Thank you for your responses. I hadn't really thought about getting wood for free - will definitely have to try that. Actually my Dad has a lot in the garden, but I guess I would have to store it for a while first if it's been outside for years... Maybe that will do for next year.

We have an open fire - don't use wood, but use coal - huge bags for a good price and they last ages (although if you opt for the coal option don't just go for the cheapest one - some of the cheap ones burn v. quickly and you need loads to make it really hot - so you end up using more).

I love my log fire. We beg and steal the wood too! DH managed to get a wooden palate to put in the garden and put the logs on top, so that the bottom ones aren't getting wet direct on the ground. Its under a shelter too, to keep the majority of the rain off. Kindling is dead cheap if you are desparate. You can get it at all the supermakets and most garages sell it too. Our chimney sweep is about £20 too I think.
Its the loveliest thing at Christmas and best of all, all the kids from round here come to my house with their letters for Father Christmas and we have do a 'Mary Poppins' style burning of the letters!
Make sure you get a decent fire guard! The slightest bit of damp in a peice of wood, spits a long way across the carpet!