Chainsaw sales surge as more Scots get ready to collect wood to heat homes
Rising energy bills prompt rush for DIY heat
Sales of chainsaws have risen by almost a third in recent weeks as Scots resort to cutting wood to heat their homes.
Hardware chain Toolstation – which has more than 500 stores across the UK – revealed sales of the petrol-powered devices have soared in recent weeks because of the cost of living crisis.
The retail firm has recorded a 28% week-on-week rise in sales of chainsaws, saying: “During the last few weeks we’ve seen sales of chainsaws increase by a third.”
Toolstation added: “We suspect the demand is being driven by customers firing up their chainsaws to cut logs and timber for wood burners as many try to soften the impact of energy hikes.”
The trend comes as people across the country have been exploring cheaper alternatives to gas to heat their homes following a decision by the UK regulator Ofgem to increase the energy price cap by 80% from next month – a 178% increase on last winter’s levels.
Ofgem said households will see typical bills rise from £1,971 to £3,549 per year with further hikes expected in January.
The new prime minister – who will be revealed at lunchime tomorrow, with Liz Truss the firm favourite – has been pressed to urgently announce emergency help to ease the looming crisis facing families and firms.
Customers in Scotland will suffer more than those in England. Figures from the Office for National Statistics published earlier this year showed Scots already spent 40%-50% more on gas and electricity than Londoners, mainly because of the colder climate, while a higher proportion of energy customers are on expensive pre-pay meters.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday called on the UK Government to make better provisions for families as they face winter heating bill rises and food price increases, as well as a multitude of other bills.
Brown said: “It is time the government played their part and raised benefits to meet the inflationary pressures families are living under.
“Further delays cannot be justified when there is so much fear and dread about what’s going to happen this winter.
“People are stocking up with blankets and duvets and even sleeping bags and hot water bottles because they have given up heating their homes and can only think of what to do to help themselves and their children.”
Citizens Advice Scotland said research showed that one in 10 people in Scotland already have no money left after covering essential monthly expenses, even before soaring rises in energy bills next month.
CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “People are facing a devastating financial cliff edge this autumn, as energy bills soar and inflation shows no signs of slowing down.”
Meanwhile, some householders appear to be considering heating specific rooms, rather than their entire property.
Department store chain John Lewis said yesterday that sales of electric heaters were up by 40% compared to this time last year and searches for electric blankets on its website had risen by 23%.
A number of the top-rated models of electric heaters are already sold out on online marketplaces Amazon and eBay.
Hayley Roberts, an electrical buyer for John Lewis, said: “Despite the warm weather, we are already seeing increased demand for electric heaters.
“We have a wide range available, depending on whether you’re heating a whole room or just want a quick boost.”
Currys said sales of its electric blankets had risen significantly as people prepare for an expensive winter ahead.
Lara Brittain, white goods category director at the company, said: “We have seen an increase in searches and purchases of electric blankets.
“The sales are increasing week on week and with electric blankets being cheap to run, it is proving to be a popular choice for our customers as we head into the colder months.”
Wood burner and stove retailers have also been flooded with inquiries from people seeking a cheaper alternative to gas – but many potential customers are disappointed when they discover the true cost of having one installed.
Eoin Fraser, boss of wood burner specialists Stove Experience, based in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, said: “Inquiries about wood burners have been through the roof recently but it can cost more than £3,500 to have one installed, and it is about another £1,000 on top of that if the property does not have an existing chimney.
“The price of wood has also recently shot up from £75 per cubic metre to £110 and is still rising.”
He added: “Wood burners are terrific for heating a home but I’m afraid they are not the answer to keeping energy bills down this winter.”
The looming energy crisis deepened yesterday after Russia announced the main gas pipeline to Europe would not reopen this weekend as planned, adding to concerns about energy supplies this winter.
State energy firm Gazprom said it found a leak on Nord Stream 1, meaning it could be closed indefinitely. The pipeline, which runs to Germany, had been shut for three days for what Gazprom described as maintenance work. Europe accused Russia of using its gas supplies to blackmail Europe amid the Ukraine conflict, which Moscow denies.