THEY look great and keep you warm, but how much do log burners really cost to run?

In the UK, some one million households enjoy getting cost in front of a log burner.

And the appeal of a toasty fire is certainly greater than ever this year as the cost of energy bills is soaring. 

Millions of people have seen their gas and electricity bills shoot up in recent weeks.

The average households' bills have risen to £2,500 a year from £1,971 after the energy price guarantee came into effect in October.

The guarantee, which replaced the price cap when it was rolled out on October 1, was initially supposed to be in place for the next two years.

But after the fallout of the mini-Budget and concerns over rising government debt, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the guarantee will only last until April.

Millions have been left in the lurch wondering what will happen to bills when the guarantee ends next year.

And spiralling wholesale case prices and a string of energy provider collapses mean bills could creep up further yet. 

So could a log burner be the answer? 

We’ve previously looked at how you can save energy in every room of your house and the worst appliances to leave on standby. 

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But many people are still worried about rising costs, with some households facing the choice of heating or eating this winter.

If you’re trying to stay warm without turning the heating on, there are some alternatives.

We’ve looked at how much it costs to run an electric blanket and how much it is to run a heated clothes airer. 

Now we take a look at how much it costs to run a log burner. 

How much to run a log burner? 

A log burner seems like an obvious alternative to turning the heating, and it’s much cosier too. 

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) estimates that a wood burning stove uses about five logs to heat, compared to a open fire which uses 16.

This saving will further increase as fuel prices continue to rise, it adds. 

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that a log burner won’t heat your entire home so it can’t be considered a direct comparison. 

A log burner will, however, soon heat up the room it sits in and residual heat will spread to other rooms too. 

When working out costings, you need to look at the price of wood. 

According to the SIA, the cost of burning kiln dried logs is between £150 to £190 per cubic meter (loose fill).

The average modern wood burning stove will use around 3.5 cubic metres (m3) of logs in a typical heating season if you have the burner on at evenings and weekends. 

Therefore, based on annual wood log usage of between 3-4 cubic meters, the total cost would be approximately £600 to 700 a year.

How does that compare to the typical heating bill? 

The current energy price cap is £2,500a year. 

If you divide that by 12, that’s £208 a month – so over the six months from mid-October to mid-April would be £1,250

However, the figure is actually likely to be higher because households typically use the bulk of their energy in the winter months.

Direct debits spread the cost over the year so you’re technically paying for energy you don’t use in the summer, but you aren’t landed with a shock bill come winter. 

On the face of it then, the log burner seems like the cheaper option. 

But remember, it most likely won’t heat your entire home – you’ll still have to have the heating on in other rooms. 

Andy Hill, chair of the SIA, said: “With rapidly rising fuel costs, wood burning becomes ever more cost effective and we’re seeing increased demand for wood fuel supplies as concern grows about the financial impact of energy price rises on families.” 

Don’t forget the installation costs

According to Checkatrade, the average cost to install a log burner is around £2,000 and that’s on top of the stove itself, which will set you back around £950. 

Installation typically involves forming a new fireplace and hearth, and costs could be higher if you don’t already have a chimney.

So be sure to factor in those costs if you’re thinking about getting a log burner in the hope of saving money. 

A certification scheme, known as clearSkies, launched in August 2020 and can help you identify the most eco-friendly log burners. 

The SIA adds that any installation should be done by a qualified tradesman, registered with HETAS or OFTEC.

If you have a wood burning stove, your chimney should ideally be swept once a year and the stove itself should be regularly maintained.

If you are concerned about rising costs, you may be able to get extra help.

The cold weather payment could get you £25 when temperatures drop and low income households can get £140 towards their bills through the warm home discount scheme.

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Under the winter fuel payment scheme, over 65s can get between £100 and £300 to offset the cost of keeping their homes warm.

You can also talk to your supplier if you're struggling. Some have charitable trusts that can help, or may offer a payment plan.

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