A wood burning stove can be a beautiful addition to your home, adding charm and a relaxing vibe, but are they worth it?
The short answer is, yes, but only if you use them correctly.
Wood burning stoves can help to improve the efficiency and heat output of burning wood compared to using traditional open fireplaces. However, they can be more expensive so this needs to be considered when deciding whether to buy one for your home. Depending on what you’re looking for, a wood burning stove has its advantages and disadvantages.
We will help you decide whether a wood burner is actually worth it, and what you need to consider along the way.
Table of Contents
Is a Wood Burning Stove Worth It?
What is a Wood Burning Stove?
A wood burning stove is a heat-producing appliance that utilizes wood or/wood-derived fuel. They consist of a solid metal firebox that contains several air controls, and the air controls are usually pipes that allow smoke to escape. The firebox may also have a glass window where you can enjoy watching the dancing flames.
What are the Benefits of having a Wood Burning Stove?
Efficiency:
Wood burning stoves have been built to be more efficient. Manufacturers need to comply with stricter emission requirements, and this means that the main method to do this is by increasing the efficiency of their stoves. They are therefore significantly more efficient than open fireplaces.
Wood stoves are primarily designed to overcome the issues with burning wood in traditional open fireplaces. Therefore, they are a better option if you’re deciding between an open fire and a stove.
Eco-friendly:
When compared with the typical fossil fuels (oil and gas) you typically see in home heating setups, burning wood is much more eco-friendly. Trees absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, when it burns, it does not add any additional carbon dioxide to the environment, maintaining a balance during combustion.
Wood is also a reusable energy source when grown and burned in a sustainable way.
Save on energy prices:
Wood stoves can save on your energy bills. You can use more than 70% less fuel compared to other types of heaters. This is because they work by radiating warmth off the metal surfaces instead of trying to create hot air like conventional methods. You may wonder about the cost of wood, but if you search on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for firewood in your local area, you can reduce the cost significantly.
Excellent heating:
Wood stoves provide radiant heat, meaning that these units give off powerful heat in all directions and can warm an area in your home faster and more efficiently than your home’s vent system.
Aesthetics:
Wood burning stoves come in a variety of styles and designs, so finding a design that fits within your home will be very easy. They can be a beautiful addition to your home, adding a homely and cozy vibe.
What are the Drawbacks of Having a Wood Burning Stove?
Cost:
The biggest drawback of having a wood burner is the cost. If they fit within your budget, then this may not be a drawback for you. But for most people, this may be something you have to consider. However, if you shop around, you should be able to find one that fits within your budget or you could even buy a second-hand one.
Hot body:
A wood stove is hot as its body absorbs the fire heat and radiates it out into the room. If you have young children or pets, you should be careful about having a wood stove in your house because it gets quite hot during operation.
Maintenance and upkeep:
Wood burning stoves require regular tending when they are running full time. Many modern wood stoves have a catalytic combustor, which usually involves inspection three times a season. Also, you’ll need to schedule a chimney cleaning and inspection at least once a year to remove excess residue and soot to ensure it’s safe.
How to Use a Wood Burning Stove Effectively?
If you decide to choose a wood burner, it’s worth knowing how to operate and use it in an effective manner. This will make it as cost effective as possible.
First of all, you should ensure that you clean and repair any cracks in your chimney. Having clogged chimney walls disrupt the smooth airflow and can be a reason why your wood burning stove isn’t working as efficiently.
Next, if you want to ensure that you get the most heat from your stove, you need to start your fire properly. To do this, ensure that your bed kindling is glowing hot before proceeding to add your wood. Make sure you only add a couple of logs and wait until they are fully on fire before adding more wood. Without adequate airflow, the fire won’t start quickly so make sure you keep the air vents and door open when you’re getting the fire started.
Lastly, you should use ensure you’re using dry wood. The less moisture in the wood, the more complete the combustion. If you choose to burn wood from your garden, you need to be patient as it can take as long as two years for wood to air-dry naturally. You can use a moisture meter to confirm the moisture content of wood before using it.
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After using all the information provided, it is down to you to decide whether a wood-burning stove is worth it for you. Does it fit into your budget? Will it look right in your home? Is it the most efficient choice for your home? Make the best decision for you, your family, and your home.
We hope this helps in your decision making, and for everything else home heating stick with CosyWarmer.com