Why Everyone Needs a Wood-Burning Stove

 Why Everyone Needs a Wood-Burning Stove

By Marge Padgitt

If you live in the Midwest, Northeast, or Northwest, you may have experienced a power outage and know what a cold winter night without heat feels like. For Midwesterners, a wood-burning stove is a must-have because we can't rely on a gas furnace, boiler, or electric heater if the power goes out. They all require electric fans to push warmed air throughout the house. I experienced this for three days during a “freak” snowstorm in the early 2000s, and I know firsthand what it is like. At that time, I wished we had taken a trip to Florida instead of remaining in our house!

And don’t consider using a kerosene heater inside a house unless you plan to open the doors and windows to exhaust the toxic fumes, which isn't very practical. People have died trying this method.

Instead, consider purchasing a freestanding wood stove, or if you have a masonry chimney, a wood stove insert, which takes up less room and still provides adequate heat.

Benefits of wood stoves:

• Wood-burning stoves work without electricity or fans (unlike gas furnaces or pellet stoves).

• Wood stoves and inserts produce TWICE the heat (BTUs) of gas stoves or inserts!

• Fuel is readily available, either from your own on-site trees or from a firewood dealer.

• A wood stove or insert needs no electricity to work! In an emergency, when the power is out, you can stay in your home instead of going to friends or family or a hotel.

• With a freestanding stove, you can cook on top (I did it during the blizzard!).

Using a wood-burning stove during fall and winter as a supplemental heat source can help you save money on gas bills and provide more comfortable, even heat. Radiant heat from a wood stove has more health benefits than a gas furnace or electric baseboard heaters. Arthritis and Fibromyalgia sufferers can find relief from pain when sitting near a wood stove, and the cat or dog will love it, too. They seem to know the best place to go to get comfortable.

Decent-quality wood stoves aren't inexpensive, but they are worth the investment. A good stove will last many years, so buy one from a reputable manufacturer such as Regency, Hearthstone, Valor, Lopi, Pacific Energy, or Blaze King. Note: beware of box-store wood stoves with no or limited warranty that may burn out after a few seasons. 

EPA-approved wood-burning stoves and inserts are 75%+ efficient, meaning most of the heat stays in your house rather than going up the flue like a standard open fireplace. 

Note: You can install wood-burning appliances ONLY in MASONRY chimneys with a stainless-steel flue liner or in a CLASS A chimney with a wood chimney chase. Only a professional who knows the codes and installation methods should install these appliances. Incorrect installation can be a fire hazard.  Installation will likely require a permit. Your insurance provider may require an annual inspection by a professional chimney sweep.

Note: Blowers on gas or wood-burning appliances will NOT work if the power goes out unless you have a generator. But the stove will still provide enough heat to keep you warm. Larger homes may require two wood-burning appliances.  

Operation and Maintenance:
1. Purchase or obtain wood at least 6 months in advance of the season to make certain the wood is dried properly. Do not wait until fall. Hardwood burns longer than softwood, but both will do the job. Do not burn Hedge since it burns extremely hot and may damage your stove.

2. Purchase an inexpensive moisture meter to check wood moisture content before using and make sure it is 20% or less. Wet wood creates more creosote in the flue and creates a dirty burn.

3. All wood-burning stoves create creosote buildup, which must be removed by brushing the flue at least once per year. Sometimes a mid-season sweep is needed if the stove is used regularly. A professional should do this task.

4. Only use dry pine for kindling to get a stove started – do not use large pieces of pine since it burns extremely fast and hot. Don’t burn a dry Christmas tree in a stove or fireplace, either. Fatwood is a good Firestarter, too.

5. Negative house pressure can adversely affect wood-burning (or gas-burning) appliances and may cause a reverse draft. For this reason, we suggest installing a Draw Collar on the wood-burning appliance if the home is under negative pressure.  

For more information, visit www.chimkc.com
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Marge Padgitt is the president of Hearthmasters chimney service in Independence, Missouri, and author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking, Your House is Killing You, and the Chimney Pro's Resource Book. She is a speaker, talk show guest, and instructor. Visit www.chimkc.com or www.hearthmasters.net for more information.