Whether you're designing a new home, working on a complete renovation, or simply pondering the thought of switching your heating source, you'll want to consider installing a wood stove. There's nothing better than sitting in front of a toasty fire with a hot cup of chocolate on a cold winter's day.
Wood stoves offer a variety of benefits for the homeowner, and you'll find six of those advantages listed below.
1. It Cuts Heating Costs
There are several ways a wood stove can cut down on your overall heating costs.
First, you have the option of chopping your own firewood. Second, if supplying your own firewood isn't a viable course of action, you'll be happy to learn that purchasing the wood is still more cost-effective than paying for oil or gas. Third, you can choose to just warm up the rooms that have wood stoves while allowing the other rooms to remain a cooler temperature.
2. It's Aesthetically Pleasing
Not only do wood stoves offer a decorative focal point for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, but they also appeal to your senses. Your ears will enjoy the crackle of the fire, your eyes the wonderful shades of the orange and red flames as they rise off the wood, and your body the warmth the fire emits.
There are many different types of wood stoves to choose from, so you're sure to find one that is aesthetically pleasing while also fitting the style of your home.
3. It Promotes Exercise
Owning a wood burning stove can actually help you reach your exercise goals without you ever having to step foot in a gym or pay for an expensive gym membership. You can get a nice walk in while gathering kindling to get your fire going or work your arms while chopping and stacking the wood you'll need to get you through the winter.
4. It's Environmentally Friendly
The Balance reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a certification program for wood stoves to ensure they burn cleanly. They list the catalytic wood stove as one of the best since it doesn't emit more than 4.1 grams of particulate per hour. A pellet stove is another eco-friendly choice, as it features a controlled combustion chamber that also produces fewer emissions.
5. Freedom From Big Utility Companies
Heating your home with wood means you'll be free from big utility companies and any monopolies they have in your area. You won't be subject to their price hikes and you won't have to watch the meter to make sure you don't run out of fuel.
Wood prices, if you're not cutting down your own trees to avoid paying anything for your heat, remain pretty constant. That also makes it easier for you to create a budget and stick to it.
6. It Works Even When You Lose Electricity
Losing power during the summer months isn't too much of a problem, but when the electricity goes out in the middle of winter during an intense snowstorm, you have a problem. Fortunately, homeowners who heat their house with a wood stove will still have the luxury of heat even if a gust of wind knocks the power out.
Depending on the stove you purchase, you may even be able to heat a kettle of tea or a pot of soup on the top of the wood stove.
If you're interested in learning more about how a wood stove would work in your home, contact River City Fireplace and Barbeque for a complimentary in-home consultation. Our company also has a line of fireplaces, gas barbecue grills, and fire pits.
