Why You Should Consider Installing a Wood Stove

Wood stoves have been around for centuries; they heat the home and provide a hot, flat surface perfect for cooking. Believe me, I grew up around them. There is something different to the taste and texture of food cooked in a cast iron pan on top of a wood stove. Setting laundry or wet clothes on a drying rack a few feet away would provide a little humidity for the room and dry the clothing in a few hours. If the grid went down or the propane gas tank ran dry, everyone slept in the living room with the wood stove providing heat. When the roads were passable again, the propane delivery man showed up and we went back to our rooms.

Scrap fence wood with all of the metal removed, storm killed trees and trimmed branches/limbs were all cut for the stove throughout the year.

Today, a wood stove can act as a backup for emergency heat, provide an entertaining evening for popping popcorn, cooking a special meal and helping to cut the utility bill. Installing one does take careful planning. By following the steps diligently, you can have a beautiful addition to any room of your house.

One of the benefits of wood stoves is that you do not need extra supports for the weight. This allows you to install them in practically every room in the house. Another is that since there are no gas lines attached to the units, there is no chance for a gas leak or electrical shock. With that said, you still have to exercise safety precautions such as teaching children not to touch it while it is burning wood, not setting items too close to it, not to drape fabrics on it if even if it was used several days before because coals may still be active inside.

Another benefit is that not all stoves that are labeled woodstoves burn wood. Some burn wood pellets made from sawdust and others burn corn that would otherwise go to waste. Check around to find the best prices and type of stove for your home.

Wood Stoves can burn waste wood efficiently. Wood will need to be shorter than general fireplace logs; your stove will dictate the length. It will also need to be split; learning to safely use an axe and a maul is not difficult. It does give the upper body a workout most gym enthusiasts dream of.

Keep in mind that you should never burn treated, stained or painted wood in any fireplace, barbeque pit or woodstove. Ever. The toxins produced by the burning chemicals could harm or kill you.

Permits And Codes:

This is the most important step and it cannot be skipped. Check with your local ordinance board to find out what the requirements are for installing a woodstove in your home. Keep in mind that some municipalities have banned the use of woodstoves under the auspices of reducing pollution. Today’s stoves are far more efficient at reducing pollutants than the older models. Having literature from several companies can help change minds; gathering friends and neighbors with a signed petition could also help.

Consider All The Safety Requirements:

If your local ordinance board has issued a permit for a wood stove installation and given you the code requirements, you are cleared to proceed. One requirement may be something such as providing a fire safe platform for the stove to rest on. Another may be to have 12″ clearance between the roof rafter, insulation or other building materials and the chimney. This is to prevent a fire from taking place. Take all precautions you possibly can, even if you have to spend a little extra to do it. Your safety is worth it.

Decide On The Model And Unit Size:

You’re armed with the permit, you know the safety codes and you’ve picked out the perfect spot. If you have an existing fireplace, there are woodstove inserts that utilize the chimney already in place.

You are ready to shop for the model and size of woodstove you need. Measure the area you will be heating; give this square footage to the salesperson. He or she may ask for it in order to help you select the best model.

Since there are a wide variety of models on the market today, decide whether you want an old-fashioned pot bellied stove or a circulating model. The circulating models cost more, but will circulate the heated air. The pot bellied stoves do provide heat, but a ceiling fan in the room will help circulate it.

Installation:

If you are not handy at DIY projects, leave this one to the pros. Your local ordinance board may also require a licensed installer to complete the job; this is for safety and insurance reasons. A home install that has gone wrong and started a fire might not be covered under a homeowner’s policy.

Safety Precautions:

• · As stated above, never burn anything but plain wood inside your wood stove. Paper produces a lot of particulates that build up inside the chimney.
• · Ensure the best operation of your woodstove by performing maintenance according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• · Have the chimney cleaned, the flue and damper inspected annually for the highest efficiency and safety.
• · Never allow children to touch or play near the stove.
• · If you are drying clothing, keep it several feet away from the stove. Closer may seem better, but once the clothes are dry, they could potentially get knocked onto the stove and burn.
• · Keep decorations, chairs or other furniture well away from the stove.
• · Do not attempt to operate the stove until the code inspector has passed the work and given his or her written approval.
• · Never operate the stove with the door open. Relegate roasting weenies and smores making to campfires.
• · When cleaning the stove, place ashes in a metal bucket; drown them with water to ensure they are dead before bagging and placing in your curbside pickup container.
• · Store all wood safely to ensure the best operation of your stove.

Your wood stove will last for several decades to help keep you and your family warm. During peak gas or electrical usages, you can light the stove and reduce your utility bills.

Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.

Source: Karen Keb, “Choosing A Wood-Burning Stove For Your Home,” Grit magazine website, Sep/Oct 2012

Source: Staff Article, “Articles- Wood- Installing A Wood Stove- The Basics Of How To Install A Wood Burning Stove,” Hearth.com website, no date given