Buying a Large Wood Burning Stove
A large wood burning stove is an excellent addition to a rustic cabin. However, you need to keep it away of flammable things like carpets, to avoid fire hazards.
Make sure you use dried or seasoned wood to have a longer burn time. Lastly, be sure to buy a certified wood stove for your home.
Heats Large Spaces
Wood stoves are used to heat rooms and, depending on their dimensions and style, can warm an entire home. wood burning stoves near me of the stove can vary from $400 to more than $4,000. Additional costs include the cost of a flue pipe to carry smoke out through the roof or walls, as well as chimney pipes and ducting to vent the smoke.
The ideal location for an enormous wood burning stove is usually the main space where families gather to enjoy meals and relax. It is ideal to place the wood burner in the center of the home, since it eliminates the necessity of lugging logs around the house. This makes it much easier to heat any space. Wood stoves can be used in bedrooms, but you should keep in mind the possibility of drafts.
When purchasing a large wood stove, it is crucial to take into consideration the overall area of the room and the way in which the floor plan is laid out. A larger stove is usually the ideal choice for heating a whole house due to its higher heating capacity. This is especially relevant for homes that have open floor plans, which are increasingly sought-after by families looking to reduce energy costs and improve comfort.
While it is possible to heat a larger home with just a single wood stove but the process requires more attention and time than it would for smaller models. The key to an efficient wood stove is a proper size and the number of heat sources suitable for the space. If a stove is too small, it will burn less wood and will be forced to operate with slow, smoldering fires in order to ensure that the room is not overheated.
The quality of the wood that is utilized can also affect the ability of the stove to heat a large space. Some species of wood have a higher BTU per pound than others. It is recommended to use woods with a higher density like oak and hickory. They are more expensive, however they last longer. It is also important to clean your stove regularly and flue vent to prevent creosote accumulation and a risky fire.
No Electricity Needed
Wood stoves don't require electricity to burn wood and generate heat. They also don't release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere like fossil fuels emit like fossil fuels do. They are a good source of alternative energy for your home and are particularly useful during periods of power outages.
Many people are surprised when they find out that a wood-burning stove does not require an electrical source. It uses a natural process that generates heat from wood, not artificially produced electricity or gas. This is great news for the environment as well as your pocketbook.
If you're planning to purchase wood stoves, make sure to check with your local authorities before installation. Some municipalities have regulations that limit or prohibit installations, particularly in new construction homes. There are certain days when using a wood stove is not recommended due the high pollution levels in the air. Check with the EPA, individual states, and private groups for daily updates on the quality of air.
You can pick from a variety of styles for wood stoves. The most popular is the non-catalytic style, which burns the smoke normally escaping through the chimney. This kind of stove is less likely to require maintenance and will keep your home warmer for longer than the catalytic wood stove which needs more regular maintenance.
If you are considering a wood stove, take into consideration the capacity of the logs it can hold and the firebox size. The larger the firebox is larger, the more wood it will hold. It also produces more heat. Also be sure to select a stove that is equipped with a 6" chimney that is able to handle the dimensions of the firewood you intend to use.
Some wood stoves have blowers that distribute heat throughout the room. Although a blower doesn't technically require electricity to run, you will require a power source if you decide to add one to your wood stove. It is also crucial to have a professional install your stove so it meets all local building codes and safety requirements.
Eco-Friendly
Wood-burning stoves are a great eco-friendly choice because they reduce the amount harmful gases that are released into the air. But, it is essential to ensure that you're using an efficient stove and following the correct procedures when using it. These include making sure that you only burn dry or seasoned or kiln dried wood; cleaning the chimney regularly and opening the flue when necessary to maintain combustion and limit smoke. A carbon monoxide detector or alarm must also be installed in the space where a stove is being used, since carbon monoxide can be poisonous if it gets into the air.
Modern stoves are as eco-friendly as possible. Many meet or exceed the strict Ecodesign standards that were introduced in 2023. It might be time to upgrade your stove if it fails to meet the requirements. The Henley Hazlewood for example, is a stove that meets all current environmental standards while retaining the traditional style and design. The stove comes with an enormous window through which you can watch the flames dance.
The stoves certified to comply with the Ecodesign standard have secondary and tertiary intakes that help to keep the fire from becoming starved of oxygen. They are extremely efficient and can reach temperatures of up to 900°F, which reduces the amount smoke that is produced. They are more efficient than an open flame and can be up to 3 times cheaper to operate.
When buying logs for your wood stove, you should ensure that they are coming from a sustainable source and have been harvested legally. You can verify this by looking for the Woodsure 'Ready to Burn' seal of approval. This means that the wood is properly seasoned or kiln dried and sources ethically.
You can also help to save the environment by planting more trees than you harvest. By doing this, you will help reverse the deforestation and the damage that it creates. There are more trees in the U.S. today than 100 years ago, due to Forest Service requirements that tree harvesters must plant more than they take out.
Easy to maintain
If you take care of your large wood burning stove, it's fairly easy to maintain. The chimney, ash pan and firebox should be regularly cleaned. A broom brush could be used to remove ashes from the ashpan. Fireplace tools like a scoop or tongs can also be purchased to make the job simpler. This is an essential step to maintain your new stove since if the burning ashes build up, it makes the process of lighting a fire harder and also can smoke up the entire room if it is not frequently cleaned.
Stove thermometers are also extremely beneficial for maintaining your stove. Simple to use, they let you monitor the temperature of your stove and ensure that it does not get too cold or hot. This will allow you to save money by only using the wood needed to heat your home.
To get the most heat out of your wood stove, you should only burn dried and seasoned wood. It has less moisture and burns more cleanly than fresh or unseasoned logs. Dry wood produces less smoke, which helps keep the air inside your home healthier.
It is a good practice to rotate your logs so that they don't all end up on the same side. Rotating the logs will ensure that they are all burned and your stove is working at its maximum capacity.
Ensure that your wood-burning stove is located away from any combustible materials. This will prevent fires and accidents from happening in your home. You can purchase protective walls for your stove, or if that is not possible then you should put it at minimum 36" away from the wall and ceiling.