Many people want a fireplace for the autumn, and especially with high electricity prices, it can be an attractive source of heat.
However, if you are planning to acquire a new fireplace, you may not want to wait until it starts to get cold outside.
– These are demanding times for us in this industry. We are not empty of products, but there are long delivery times out and about, says chain manager for Varmefag, Norway’s largest specialist chain for fireplaces and stoves, Sindre Baardson, to TV 2, and continues:
– There is a little difference in the shops. Some you can get right away, while you may have to wait anywhere from two to seven months for the fireplace.
He says that this is due to the raw material situation in Europe, which has become extra critical due to the war in Ukraine. In addition, there is a shortage of gas in Germany, which makes demand sky high.
– LONG QUEUE: Sindre Baardson in Varmefag says that the demand for fireplaces is great now. Photo: Private
–
– In Germany, there has been a queue outside the fireplace shops. And that is the paradox. Demand has skyrocketed due to historically high electricity prices, but with the shortage of raw materials that follows, we can not supply enough, says Baardson.
He adds that they would have had problems even without the extra challenges.
Order now for a fireplace for Christmas
Almost a quarter of the EU’s gas consumption goes to Germany, just under 1,000 terawatt hours (TWh) annually. Half of this is used for heating in buildings.
Baardson and Varmefag have a clear appeal to Norwegians who want to stay warm until winter.
– We have gone out and said that if you want a fireplace for the heating season, you must order now. We do not usually say that so early. Since the situation is as it is, you must order now to be sure to have a fireplace for Christmas. It’s completely real.
He believes the situation will remain at the same level throughout the year, and possibly into 2023. The market for steel is also tough, according to Baardson.
The production of fireplaces and stoves requires a lot of steel, but due to the situation in Europe and the high energy prices, the price of the raw material has risen sharply this spring. This creates difficulties for manufacturers.
– It’s harsh. If you do not accept the price given by the steel supplier, then they only sell to someone else. In some industries, steel prices have risen by more than 100 per cent in just a few weeks. It becomes more expensive to produce when energy prices are so high. We see price adjustments that we have not had before. It is challenging, Baardson believes.
– Almost extreme
It is not quite the same tone with another large fireplace supplier, namely Jøtulgruppen. Sales director René Christensen says that they are still able to meet the demand – but confirms that it is very high.
– There is a very good demand for the products. It’s almost extreme. The prices of heating alternatives such as electricity and gas are high, and then many people buy wood stoves.
Christensen says that they fear the challenges that may arise after the summer.
– OPTIMIST: René Christensen in the Jøtul group. Photo: Private
–
– It is challenging with our subcontractors who have shortages in their deliveries to us. So challenges may arise. As of today, we handle this, but this can present challenges after the summer that we are unable to anticipate, he says.
According to Christensen, one must expect around four to six weeks of delivery beyond the normal delivery time for wood stoves from Jøtul / Scan.
This is also due to the fact that some stores have a somewhat longer installation time than normal, he says.
In Germany, the company has experienced 80 percent growth. They also see great growth in Poland, the Czech Republic and other countries.
– In order to maintain demand, production is in full swing, also with overtime work at the foundry in Norway, Christensen says.
Expecting high demand
But even for those who first get hold of a long-awaited fireplace, problems can arise. When electricity prices rose last year, so did demand for firewood.
This can also be the case this autumn, according to Øyvind Stranna Larsen, head of specialist wood production at Norsk Ved, a forum for wood producers.
– The situation now is that the wood producers are preparing for another season with extra high demand, he says.
– PREPARED: According to the wood producers, they expect another season with extra high demand. Photo: Private
–
However, they expect that producers will be able to make enough wood to satisfy demand, which is also normally large.
– In 2020, Norwegian wood consumption corresponded to approximately 58 million sacks of birch, says Larsen.
Each bag holds 60 liters.
Advice for wood buyers
The wood expert has advice for those who want to combine money saving with a pleasant family activity:
– Order raw by now. Some manufacturers offer it, so the buyer can stack and dry it himself. It can be a nice task for the whole family, says Larsen.
Raw wood is cheaper than finished dried wood, and can be laid in more formations than the classic one.
– The traditional attachment is one thing, but you can make roundels and play structures in the garden – so there is a lot of fun you can make from raw wood.
–
