Light up a damp grey day with a woodburning stove...

Well, a week on and it's STILL raining... There's nothing we like better than warming up around our stove on days like today when the skies are grey and the rain just keeps pouring down.

One of the things we like best about our stove is that we can burn logs even in London, as it has been approved by DEFRA for use in smoke-free zones.  Many of our customers assume that they'll have to have a gas or electric stove if they live in London - or that they'll need to burn smokeless coal - but in fact the latest DEFRA-approved wood burning stoves have been specially designed to produce very low emissions and are ideal for use in smoke-free zones.

If you're interested in a stove, come and see us at Westcombes. We have the largest selection you'll find in South-East London with more than sixty different models in our dedicated stove showroom - along with our huge range of antique, reproduction and contemporary fires!

April showers

It may be good for the garden and after so many dry months, we do need some rain but the grey skies and drizzle outside feel rather gloomy after the sunny weather we've enjoyed in recent months.  There's no better way to cheer up a chilly spring evening than to light a fire or stove for some instant warmth and cosiness.  We're well stocked up with kiln-dried logs and kindling here at Westcombes if you need supplies - and if you don't have a fire or stove,  come and choose from our huge selection!

Fires without chimneys

Customers often assume that if they don't have a chimney, they can't have a fire or stove but in fact that isn't the case any more.  You can have a flueless fire or a stove which doesn't need a chimney or any flue pipes - they're easy to install and look fabulous. What's more, they're very efficient as you aren't loosing heat up the chimney.

The one thing you will need if you want a flueless fire or stove is an air vent in your room.  This is essential to ensure there is sufficient oxygen in the room to keep the fire burning properly.

You can have a flueless fire inserted into an existing fireplace, or you can have a wall mounted fire and you can select from a wide variety of both traditional and modern styles.

Other options include a balanced flue fire or stove, which will need a flue pipe fitted to an outside wall so any emissions go straight outside, or an electric fire or stove.  People are often put off the idea of an electric fire having seen old-fashioned models which can look pretty awful, but customers are often surprised by how authentic the latest electric fires and stoves we sell at Westcombes can look.

If you're interested in a fire or stove and don't have a chimney, you may want to pay us a visit at Westcombes to have a look at some of the options available. 

The perfect time to get your chimneys swept

We've had our chimneys swept this week, and if you use your fires it's an ideal time to book an appointment with a sweep. It's easy to forget about the chimney once you stop using your fire or stove in the warmer weather, and then once you start using it again in the autumn there is likely to be a build up of soot and debris which can lead to a chimney fire.  People often assume that chimney fires are quite innocuous and limited to the inside of the chimney, but they can damage your entire home and put lives in danger so it isn't a risk you want to take.  If you're using your fire or stove regularly, it should be swept at least once a year.

There's a myth that chimney sweeping is a terribly dirty, dusty business and in the past people would cover all their furniture in sheets to prevent it getting sooty. Nowadays, it's a remarkably clean process, effectively just like hoovering out the chimney, and the sweep should bring sufficient covers for the area close to the fire which could get a bit dusty. If you use your fire regularly, you'll probably notice a real difference after you've had the chimney swept as it may burn better and with real log fires you'll know that there's less smoke in the room.

At Westcombes, we can recommend reliable and efficient sweeps who are properly qualified and who we trust to do a good job - and we'd suggest thinking about it now rather than waiting until the autumn when good sweeps are busier and you may face a wait.

Fireplace restoration

You may not know that we don't just sell stoves and fires at Westcombes, we also offer a restoration service for fireplaces.  Many of the fires in Edwardian, Victorian or Georgian properties start to look rather tired if they haven't had any love and attention. Some may have been painted over in the past, or may be stained or damaged. Our craftsmen can restore them to their former glory and customers are often amazed at how beautiful a grotty fire can look once it has had some care. We're member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen and you can be confident that your fires are in the best possible hands when you bring them to us for restoration.  You can see our details on the Guild of Master Craftsmen website here.

Free with every stove...

At Westcombes, we know that customers don't always feel confident about lighting their stoves for the first time, and that's why we're providing a free fire starter kit with every DEFRA-approved woodburner we sell at the shop.  Containing matches, natural firelighters, kindling and logs, the starter kit has everything you need to get your stove going - and we've found that once customers try the kiln-dried logs we sell in the shop, they're reluctant to use wood sold elsewhere which is often damp and hard to light.

So, if you're considering buying a stove, come and look at our extensive range of more than sixty stoves in a dedicated stove showroom here at Westcombes - we have gas, electric and multi-fuel stoves as well as DEFRA-approved woodburners and we're sure you'll find something you like!

An energy efficient home

It's always great for us to see happy customers with warm fires and stoves to keep their homes cosy - but it's important to make sure you're not losing all that lovely heat you're creating. Thinking about energy efficiency at home won't only conserve heat, it can save money too. We've put together a few tips to help you make sure you aren't wasting money and energy -

• Poor window fittings can lead to drafts, letting in cold air. Make sure your windows are properly fitted and insulated.  You may want to consider double glazing.
• Drawing your curtains as soon as it gets dark helps to keep your home warm.
• It's surprising how much heat can be lost through the roof.  Is your loft space insulated?  Having an insulated loft can soon save money on heating bills.
• If you are burning wood, make sure you come to Westcombes to stock up on kiln-dried wood which is far more efficient than the damp, unseasoned wood you may get elsewhere. 
• Adjusting your heating thermostat by just a degree can cut your bills by as much as 10%.  If you don't have a thermostat - get one!
• Make sure you turn electrical appliances off rather than leaving them on standby which is using electricity all the time.
• Dripping hot water taps cost you money! 
• If you don't use them already, try energy-saving light bulbs.
• Make sure you turn the lights off when you leave a room.
• Only boil the water you actually need when you put the kettle on for a cup of tea.