Wood stoves: the newer, the better
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends replacing wood stoves manufactured before 1990 with cleaner, more efficient models. Doing so can save you money, make your home safer by reducing fire risk, and improve indoor air quality.
Modern wood stoves require less wood, produce less ash, and emit almost no smoke. They come in catalytic and noncatalytic options. Catalytic models increase burn time and reduce air pollution, while the operation of noncatalytic models is more standard. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the amount of heat released by new catalytic wood stoves is higher than that of noncatalytic models.
A pellet stove burns compressed pellets made of wood or other biomass materials. Like a wood stove, there are free-standing units or inserts. Pellet stoves can burn cleaner and don’t require hauling wood. Pellets are loaded into the hopper, which feeds them into the combustion chamber for burning. Most pellet stoves use electricity to operate the hopper and a fan to push warm air into the room. An EPA-certified pellet stove releases about the same amount of heat as a catalytic wood stove.
Fuel costs
Consider the cost of the fuel source—whether you have to buy wood, harvest it yourself, or stock up on a specific type of pellet. Reduce fuel consumption and smoke by burning wood that is dry and seasoned, meaning it is split, covered, and aged for at least six months.
Installation by a certified technician ensures the job is done correctly, preventing chimney fires and indoor smoke. The stove should be cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Make sure your home has carbon monoxide detectors.
