Why a woodburning stove could help rent out your home...

Well, here's an interesting fact for all you woodburner fans - apparently in Scotland when tenants are looking for a rental property, one of the top assets they seek out in a new home is a wood burning stove. The canny tenants are not only thinking of the cosy appeal of a woodburner, but also of their purses - with energy prices rocketing, a wood burning stove can offer warmth while allowing you to cut down on your central heating bills. 


At Westcombes, we know that it's not just north of the border where it can be colder - although  it doesn't feel that way today - that woodburners are popular.  And it's not just in rural areas either, as we've noticed how many of our customers are keen to install Defra-approved wood burning stoves in their homes.

So whether you want to make your home more attractive whether to a prospective tenant, buyer or just for yourself and your family, come and take a look at our huge selection of stoves to see what might suit your home and budget.


For more on this story, click here 

The most realistic electric stove yet...

We've just put an exciting new electric stove on display in the showroom which uses the latest technology to produce a fascinating illusion of a real fire.  Using a 3-dimensional effect it creates a fine water mist which is illuminated to look like flames and smoke.  When this is combined with glowing logs and a shimmering ash bed, the effect is really unlike any electric fire you will have seen before.

Come down to Westcombes to take a look at our new Dimplex Opti-Myst stove in action, or have a look at the effect here.

How to light a fire - or stove...

We're posted about how to light a fire or stove before, but now it's getting chilly we've had a few people asking about this recently - the art of fire-lighting is no longer something we're taught as we're growing up!

First, you need to prepare your stove or fireplace. Check that the damper is open, and that the air vents on your stove are all open,

Then, lay your kindling.  We like to use either our flamers firelighters - or some scrunched newspaper - which we place inside across the base.  Then, make a pyramid of kindling on top.

Light the paper or flamers, and once the kindling begins to burn you can layer some slightly larger pieces of wood, and as soon as the fire is established, put on your coal or logs.

You will need to tend to the fire or stove to top up the fuel as necessary.  You should always make sure that you have a smoke alarm in the same room and don't ever leave the fire unattended.

Finally, it's worth remembering that using the right fuel is key to lighting a fire successfully.  All too often, we've had customers reporting problems when they've been using damp unseasoned wood - it makes it really difficult to light a fire, and what's more it will fill your chimney with soot and tar.  The kiln-dried logs we sell here at Westcombes are ideal - and that's why people who've bought them tend to keep coming back for more.  Once you've used dried logs, you'll know why it makes such a difference!

Are you facing rising household fuel bills?

 With energy prices rising, it has never been a better time to think about getting a stove. 

Here at Westcombes, we have a wide range of Defra-approved woodburners which can be used in London's smoke-free zone to help you cut back on gas and electricity bills.  When the weather's just a little chilly, a stove can give your sitting room a cosy glow without the need to put on the heating throughout the house.

Just last week the energy regulator Ofgem warned that Britain faces power shortages by 2015 and it is anticipated that shortages could lead to sharp price increases with some experts suggesting that household fuel bills could double - so opting for a woodburning stove now could prove to be a timely move.

We go further than you may think....

We may be based in Lee, but we don't just cover the Lewisham area.  As South East London's only HETAS-approved retailer, we sell and fit our woodburners, stoves and fireplaces right across South East London and northern parts of Kent - so that includes Dulwich, Peckham, Nunhead, Herne Hill,  Honor Oak, Tulse Hill, Hither Green, Forest Hill, Sydenham,  Brockley, Blackheath, Greenwich, Eltham, Mottingham,  New Cross, Catford, Woolwich, Thamesmead, Plumstead, Sidcup, Erith, Crayford, Orpington, Chiselhurst, Penge, Croydon, Beckenham and Bromley amongst many others...

We have a huge range of antique, modern and reproduction fireplaces as well as one showroom dedicated entirely to stoves - including a big selection of woodburners approved by Defra for use in London's smoke free zones. 

If you aren't sure whether we might be able to fit and deliver in your area, do just give us a call on 0208 852 6204 or come into the shop and see us.  We're open Monday - Saturday 10-6 and on Sundays during October and November from 12 - 4.

Extended opening hours

When the weather gets colder, we get busier!  In order to be able to offer our customers the time and attention that buying a fire or stove can require, we're increasing our opening hours during October and November.  We'll be opening on Sundays from 12-4pm starting on October 7 which we hope will give you more time to come and pay us a visit when it suits you. 

Customers are often surprised by the range of fires and stoves we have on offer when they come to the shop - it's a bit like a Tardis!.  We have four showrooms with a huge variety of modern, antique and reproduction fireplaces.  One showroom is dedicated to stoves with more than sixty models on show including a great selection of woodburners approved by Defra for use in London.

Westcombes opening hours 

Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm

Sundays during October and November - 12 - 4pm

Talking wood...

We've been selling kiln-dried logs at Westcombes for more than a year now, and we are completely converted.

When people have problems lighting fires and stoves, it's often a wood problem rather than a stove or fire problem, especially if they've been buying bags of logs from local garages.  We know it's often convenient to pick up a bag when you're filling up with petrol, but the logs may have been sitting out in the rain and aren't always seasoned.  When logs are cut they contain a surprising amount of water, and it can take up to two years for them to dry out properly.

It's harder to light damp wood, and the water means you get a smoky fire which produces more soot and tar.  This is not only less efficient and less environmentally friendly,  it can actually be dangerous - the soot and tar can clog the chimney, and that in turn can increase the risk of a chimney fire.

Our kiln-dried logs are sourced from sustainable British woodlands.  They're produced by Certainly Wood who air dry them before putting them into a wood-fired kiln to get rid of excess moisture.   We love them - and we're sure you will too!

We offer free local delivery on orders of ten bags of logs or more, and if you order twenty bags, we'll give you a free bag of logs too.  We also stock kindling and natural firelighters - why not give them a try and see what you think.