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Heating with wood stoves has been
done for thousands of years. Wood is plentiful around much of the world and it
is typically less expensive than burning other types of fuel such as propane,
natural gas, oil, coal or electricity. Harvesting wood is also easier to do. No
one can just go out on their back 40 and simply drill a natural gas well, or
mine coal, or even create their own electrical generation plant. However, a man
with an axe, and small forest in his backyard, can heat his home, with the help
of a wood stove for decades.
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Though the primary heat for most
homes today is fueled by oil, gas or electricity, heating with wood stoves, for
at least supplemental reasons, is still common. In the northeast United States,
for example, where trees are prolific you can’t drive down a country road in the
winter without finding at least a couple of homes burning wood stoves.
Wood stoves also can help to heat food. As a matter of fact, some wood stoves
have unique cooking surfaces integrated into them.
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Though some urban dwellers may
ask why heat with wood stoves, wood stoves offer a number of key advantages,
particularly during a power outage. Extended power outages are still common,
and quite honestly seem to becoming increasingly common. In just the last 3
years alone we’ve lost our power on three separate occasions for 11 days, 3
days and 5 days. And we’re only 40 minutes from downtown Boston, MA. In
these situations a wood stove can make the difference in making your home
livable, and saving your home from burst water pipes. In addition, it can
serve as a safe cooking source.
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Wood stoves also provide a unique and
historical charm. Many of today’s modern wood stoves look absolutely stunning.
Some have glass front windows so you can observe their flame. And unlike a
traditional wood burning fireplace, wood stoves are extremely efficient in
heating. Contrary to a wood burning fireplace, warm air from the home isn’t
sucked up the chimney after the fire goes out.
The best type of wood to burn in wood stoves is hardwood. Burning softwood, such
as pine, is a recipe for creosote buildup in the chimney and chimney fires. Here
in New England we typically burn Oak or Maple. Also, after cutting and splitting
the fire wood, it’s important to let the wood dry out for 6 to 9 months. The
drier the wood the more heat that will be produced by the wood, and the lower
the risk of chimney fires.
For information on maximizing your
wood stove’s home heating efficiency see
the “Installation
of Hood over Wood Stove Ebook”.
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Wood Stoves from Amazon.com
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