Heating Your Home with a Wood Stove
by Guest Post on Feb 14, 2010
Heating a house with wood, partly or totally, is environmentally and economically beneficial. Wood is a renewable fuel source and if harvested responsibly is a wise alternative to natural gas, oil, propane, and other fossil fuels. If you do some searching you can even find free wood sources in your area like tree removal services. Burning wood also creates a nice ambiance, that is soothing in your home.
A wood stove is the most popular, efficient, and economical wood heating option. An efficient wood stove can be located almost anywhere with enough space and where a chimney can be properly routed. A wood stove located centrally on the main floor area of the house, in the most occupied room, with the flue pipe running straight up into the chimney gives the most heat. This installation design will make it possible to heat an entire home efficiently with wood and provide the best performance and need the least amount of maintenance.
Advanced wood stoves are one-third more efficient than conventional wood stoves. They produce a visually beautiful fire through complete combustion. Advanced stoves produce about 90 percent less smoke than older stoves. After a fire is ignited, you should see no visible smoke from the chimney, so neighbors won't complain and thick smoke won't blanket your yard either. These wood stoves usually are higher in cost, but the benefits make it well worth it. You will save money by using one-third of the wood that you would with a conventional wood stove.
Here are some tips for operating, and selecting a wood stove:
- Always have your wood stove installed by a certified professional.
- Always get permits, and follow local regulations.
- Choose the right size of wood stove for your needs.
- Maintain your wood stove and have it serviced regularly.
- Open areas provide the most efficient location.
- Only burn dry seasoned hardwood.
Also some safety tips:
- Keep all flammable items as far away from your wood stove as possible.
- Use only clean newspaper and dry kindling to start fires.
- Never start fires with gasoline, lighter fluid, or other similar combustibles.
- Only burn dry seasoned hardwood.
- Clean ashes often, and keep your wood stove clean.
- Keep the doors closed unless loading or stoking the fire.
- Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Always have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
- Follow all your local fire safety regulations.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
82957 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
68699 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
66312 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
45509 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27939 Views
Latest Articles
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
on Aug 25, 2023
Benefits of Aluminum Windows for Homeowners
Aluminum windows have emerged as a popular choice among Australian homeowners, offering a compelling combination of energy efficiency and modern...
on Aug 10, 2023
Investment Tactics for Premium Condominiums
Singapore continues to be a magnet for property investments, with its robust economy, political stability, and appealing real estate market acting...
on Aug 3, 2023
10 Essential Questions to Ask During a Sunroom and Lanai Consultation
When considering the addition of a sunroom or lanai to your home, a consultation with a professional lanai contractor is crucial. This initial...
on Jul 24, 2023
Creating Beautiful and Low-Maintenance Coastal Landscapes in Tropical Areas
Living on the coast in tropical areas offers homeowners the opportunity to enjoy stunning ocean views and a unique coastal lifestyle. To make the...
on Jul 7, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
on Aug 25, 2023
Windows / Siding

In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 262
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 196
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Top 5 Repairs and Renovations that Help Your House Sell Fast
If you are a homeowner looking for a quick way to sell your home, the first thing you should probably do is take stock of the condition your home...
Hiring a Landscape Gardener: A Brief Guide
The garden outside your house can be landscaped and decorated in a variety of different ways. You might be surprised to know that a properly...
Stamped Concrete – What You Need to Know
To date, you can find at least a hundred stamped concrete patterns and designs. This is how popular this decorative concrete application is. Most...
Is Your Overhead Garage Door Safe?
Do you trust your overhead garage door? The truth is that some people completely ignore the dangers and some others step away every time they hear...
3 Ways to Put a Personal Touch on a Home
If you’ve recently purchased a home and don’t feel like it quite “feels like you” yet, it may be time to consider some updates. The only way to...