residential weekend course

woodfuel, stoves & home heating

venue: Redfield Community, Bucks

The course is run by Andy Reynolds, professional forester, instructor, and author of LILI's Heating with Wood book (participants will receive a free copy).

The course is designed to give a wide range of information for both urban and country application of this low-carbon heat source. The weekend will take the participants through a myriad of sub-topics using a conversational and discussion-based format.

The main subject areas are:

  • carbon capture and cycles - what you can do
  • moisture content, cellular structure and wood types
  • woodfuel supply chain: it is important to gain knowledge of this subject even if you will eventually be using wood chip or pellet
  • stove types and features: important subject if you are thinking of fitting or replacing a stove
  • stove size and heat requirements
  • how central heating works
  • automated woodfuel systems: for urban areas it may well be much easier to use wood pellet burning stoves or boilers. These are discussed in detail as well as pellet quality and procurement
  • chimneys and flues: these are just as important as the stove itself and have a large impact on the efficiency - various designs and materials will be discussed

The course will also cover:

  • growing and managing your own fuel
  • firewood conversion and tools
  • cooking with wood and woodfuel cookers

And for complete beginners, how to light and run a stove. You will also get plenty of opportunity to ask questions about your own projects/ideas.

dates: see 'book online' below

more on wood stoves


how to book:
  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
Friday evening at 6.30 for dinner at 7.30
depart:
  
Sunday after lunch (served at 1.00)
directions:
  
click here for directions by bicycle, public transport and car
what to bring:
  
pen and notebook; towel; warm outdoor clothes; boots / wellies (meals and bedding are provided)
NO DOGS PLEASE
let us know:
  
if you are vegan or have any food allergies, or any special needs
accommodation:
  
3-4 people sharing single-sex rooms
prices:
  
£190 high-waged; £170 waged;
£150 student / unwaged
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 


a timber stack - of cordwood, i.e. logs that need to be chainsawed to lengths that can be split

 

 

 

 

 

 


a basic wood stove sitting on a slate base, with a flue at the rear, passing through a metal plate to the chimney

 

 

 

 

 

 


splitting logs with a splitting axe; even if the log can fit into your stove, it's probably better to split it to allow it to dry better. If you've never done it before you might find aiming difficult, but you'll soon get the hang of it, and it's excellent exercise