The energy crisis is causing gas and electricity prices to rise. If there is a shortage, this means: turn the heating down. And in the worst case scenario, a power outage leaves you completely out in the cold.
Happy are those who have a Swedish stove and can use it to provide a little heat in the living room in an emergency. There are almost half a million living room fireplaces in Switzerland – from fireplaces to tiled stoves. In “normal times” these devices would be used very little, as evidenced by an analysis paper from Holzenergie Schweiz from mid-October.
But now Mr. and Mrs. Schweizer are already arming themselves for the energy shortage. The demand for firewood has increased enormously. According to the Wood Energy Association, it is three to four times higher than a year ago. “The war in Ukraine is leading to a boom in ‘independent’ energies such as logs.”
dangers threaten
This means that old fireplaces that have not been used for years are also reactivated. But dangers lurk, as the federal government warns in its latest National Economic Supply Status Report. “Consumers who want to put their wood-burning stoves back into service this winter after a long period of time are strongly advised to have their chimneys checked by qualified personnel,” it reads, citing safety concerns.
Master chimney sweep Walter Tanner (46) knows the risks. “If the chimney is clogged or dirty, there is a risk of chimney fires, deflagration, explosion damage and in the worst case even carbon monoxide poisoning,” says the vice president of Kaminfeger Switzerland. This is not something to scoff at.
“We are very concerned about winter and fear that there is some potential for fires and personal injury if people use old fireplaces without checking them,” Tanner said. Many things can clog a chimney: “In addition to wasp and hornet nests, we sometimes find dead birds in the vent.” There are also technical defects, such as broken valves or leaks.
Energy crisis creates uncertainty
His people – he is the boss of five employees and two trainees – are currently almost continuously working on getting the fireplaces ready for use. “The energy crisis is causing a lot of insecurity among the population,” Tanner says. “Because you don’t know what’s coming, people want to be able to use their wood fires when they need to.”
Sometimes it’s just a matter of advice about what can be burned in the first place. “Dry and untreated firewood is important – but firewood is the new toilet paper, the demand is huge.” However, Tanner warns against burning scrap wood or old furniture. “This causes enormous air pollution and thus harms people and the environment.”