Wood, A Cheap and Dependable Power Source

 

Many New Zealand rural homes are increasingly looking at ways to reduce the expense as well as dependence upon power companies for providing their basic household functions. The most expensive of these is heating the home and providing quantities of hot water. Costly winter power bills, the unreliability factor, large fluctuations in diesel and LPG gas prices,  and the increasing cost of getting electricity supply to new building sites is resulting in a greater demand for our number one renewable fuel, wood. As an energy source, wood is the only completely reliable and true environmentally friendly option for heating the home, cooking delicious meals and providing all the households hot water demands. Wetbacks can take the shape of various hot water boosters (for heating the hot water cylinder) through to large capacity boilers for heating both the cylinder as well as flowing through underfloor heating coils or wall mounted radiators.  

 

“We have families with wood burners and cookers who proudly boast of $30-$40 power bills, in the middle of winter!” says John Lintott from Broadys NZ Ltd. “And most importantly, when it’s needed most it doesn’t rely on electricity, wind, sun, gas or diesel in order to provide them with the most basic needs”.

 

But memories of Grandmas old coal range are now replaced with modern looking, attractive wood cookers perfectly in place in both contemporary open plan living areas or more traditional country kitchens. Modern appliances like the Stanley range of cast iron cookers feature deep, air tight wood fire boxes for greater efficiency and control coupled with increased insulation to keep the heat within, enabling all year use, even in summer. With a new look for 2009, range of attractive enamel colour choices, self cleaning ovens, large hot plate area (room for 5 pots), central heating options, as well as hot water to taps, Stanley cookers are increasingly being bought for installation into very modern kitchens.  For areas requiring greater “radiant” heat as well as cooking and hot water the Gourmet is also a very efficient wood burning cooker.

 

 

Electricity prices have risen approximately 13% in the last year (Consumer Magazine April 2009). When looking to replace an old, inefficient wood burner or open fireplace to heat your home, Consumer Magazine compares modern wood burners favourably over heat pumps, gas and other electric appliances. Not withstanding the greatest benefit being the far cheaper running costs. Most rural homes have a plentiful supply of fire wood at their back door step, which equates to free heat. As with all wood burners, they operate at their peak using dry, split, well seasoned fire wood. With a little preparation and good storage wood , they can provide your home with all its heating, cooking and hot water needs, regardless of power supply and rising costs .

 

Visit Broadys website at www.broadys.co.nz to view a wide selection of wood burners and cooking stoves, call ph 09 2740658 for advise and service.