When it comes to deciding on a wood burning stove or air source heat pump (ASHP), multiple factors can make either heating option an attractive solution to heating your home.
With both options being popular at the moment, we have conducted a side-by-side comparison to show the benefits and disadvantages of the two sources. We are discussing Eco-design ready stoves when talking about “wood burning stoves”.
According to the Stove Industry Association & HETAS, a private training and certification company, the Eco-design regulations set new minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission requirements for all kinds of woodburning stoves (heating, boiler and cooking) making stoves the most eco-friendly they can be.
Air Source Heat Pumps are a renewable heating system that extracts heat from the air (even on cold days) and uses it to provide heat and hot water for the home. It uses electricity to power a compressor that absorbs the heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors to the home. They have become popular in recent years for being an eco-friendly way to heat your home.
The factors included in the following comparison are based on key factors such as cost, environmental impact and efficiency.
Installation Cost
ASHP’s have a higher initial cost to buy and set up the system with a price tag ranging between £7,000 to £13,000 on average depending on the unit’s size and complexity (AES).
A wood burning stove can also vary in cost depending on the size and make of stove, the type of flue system and whether hearths are needed. Therefore we never give out random estimates – it can vary too much! However, to give an estimated price for an installation where the house has a chimney already, you would be looking at anything in between £3,500 and £6,500 on average.
In summary, the costs of a wood burner are very likely to be lower than a ASHP but are not subject to some of the government grants that can be claimed towards the cost.
Running and Maintenance Costs
Both options have the ability to be run cheaply. The ASHP runs off electricity to produce 3 or 4 times more energy than it uses, efficiently using the power it takes to run the pump. The unit requires yearly servicing to ensure it is running properly but won’t have any other maintenance costs once up and running unless things go wrong.
A wood burner can be run very cheaply depending on your wood source. Having a source of wood and a place to season helps to keep the cost down but isn’t possible for many people. However, getting a fair deal on kiln-dried or well-seasoned wood can allow for efficient burning time from each log and is cost effective. Maintenance costs depend on how much the burner is used.
One or two Chimney Sweeps per year is the requirement from most stove and liner manufacturers to uphold the Warranty. Consumable items like firebricks will degrade over time but correct usage of the stove can maximise their lifespan.
Environmental Impact
ASHP’s run off electricity which creates low emissions. This leaves the ASHP being an eco-friendly heat source with a low carbon footprint.
Wood burners often get bad press. They can emit particulates and CO2 which can damage the environment. However, modern eco-design stoves reduce the level of the pollutants emitted, and burning well-seasoned wood minimises the impact further. This is why it is so important to use dry wood.
Heat Output and Efficiency
Both options provide a slightly different kind of heat. The ASHP is more tailored to underfloor heating where it maintains a steady consistent heat, and large radiators will need to be installed.
Wood stoves create a more intense heat in the room they are situated and therefore suit being placed in the hub of the house. They are most efficient when dry wood is burned that has been kiln-dried or seasoned correctly.
Cold Weather Efficiency
While the ASHP can work up to -15°, it does incur reduced performance in lower temperatures.
Wood burning stoves have consistent performance regardless of outdoor temperate with only extreme weather affecting draw.
Fuel Source
Electricity used to power the ASHP can be green if from renewable, local sources. As electricity is used, the ASHP cannot be used off grid or with unreliable electricity.
Wood burning stoves can also be green if the wood is sourced sustainably. Stoves also can be used off grid as their fuel source is solid and doesn’t require power to run.
Space Requirements
ASHP’s require an outdoor space for installation which isn’t possible for every home. They also require indoor space for part of the system, predominantly the Radiators and new pipework.
A wood burner requires a space inside and for the flue system if there isn’t a chimney. It also requires dry wood storage space.
Noise and Appearance
There can be a slight noise from the external fan of the ASHP and the unit itself is roughly 1 to 1.5 meters high and 0.5 to 1 meter wide.
Woodburning stoves are unmatched on the level of cosiness and ambience that they provide with only the crackle of the fire producing noise and the aesthetic look they bring to a room can really elevate it.
Back-ups in power cuts
ASHP’s cannot run with no power whereas a wood burning stove is fully functional and a great source of heat should a power cut happen.
We hope you found this post helpful. If you would like more information please feel free to get in touch. https://www.caledonianstoves.co.uk/contact/
