Recently while navigating through forums on social media I came across a post that grabbed my attention. It was a builder commenting on plans for a new build. He was adamant that the home builder should get with the times and forget about chimneys, stoves or any kind of "old fashioned" appliances. His argument was the environment and how we need to go green which I agree with to an extent. He recommended not building a chimney and installing a HRV system.

The HRV part I agreed with but not the chimney. Heating systems in new builds are so efficient now and there are so many to choose from. A good Heating Engineer can guide you through the best options for your house.

This is where things get tricky, you've now chosen your heating system and you're feeling good that you will not have the threat of spiralling fuel costs to deal with.

The elephant in the room is "Climate change" so one of the reasons you chose your system was to help the environment and save a few bob in the process over the coming years. Climate change can comprise of all kinds of weather systems from snow in June to balmy evenings in November. It also generates crazy weather phenomenon's such as flooding, thunder storms and even hurricanes. This crazy weather then leads to the dreaded power cut.

When we were kids and we had a power cut we grabbed the candles and took out the board games. In our house we also had the glow of the fire in the sitting room lighting up the room like something from a Dickens novel. Looking back at it there is probably a bit of nostalgia.

What you may not know is that wood when grown in a sustainable manner is carbon neutral. It has relatively no production so cuts your carbon footprint in so many ways. If you're in Ireland remember you're also reducing the travel time of your stove hence cutting freight emissions. 

In June of this year I had my last power cut, it was on a Saturday evening which was the first of the year I had been home for. I couldn't believe how cut off, helpless and vulnerable we were. These were some of the things that affected us:

• No phone charger (battery at 35%)
• No Wi-Fi or 3G in rural Tipperary
• No cooker, oven or hob
• No lights (or candles)
• If I had a Tesla (I don't) I had no way of charging it to get to the shops

We had however a stove in the sitting room and because of where I work another in the hall. That Saturday evening stirred so many memories for me personally. We wrapped potatoes in tinfoil and put them into the fire. I can't say I'd ever make it onto Master Chef but that evening they were as we say here in Tipp "fair" good.

Don't get me wrong I love technology and find myself automating the most random of things lights, gates coffee maker and sound systems. They are great but what sways me to buy a particular product is the fact that I can also turn it on manually if the Wi-Fi is down. I like to have a switch, the "old fashioned way"

To conclude I would say put in whatever heating system that suits your house but also have the back up, the humble stove. It's nights like that Saturday I had in June that you and your family will remember for ever more.

When you've a Boru Wood Stove, you're in control!