Are you a first-time wood stove owner, wondering if there are any good tips and tricks out there to make the most of your new investment? If that applies to you, this article will help you learn some of the best ways to use and maintain your wood stove.
Wood stoves are highly efficient heat sources
You probably already know that wood stoves are efficient sources of heat. That may be why you bought one – to save money on heating costs during the winter. While your wood stove is an efficient heat source, it’s only going to work if you maintain it to support that efficiency.
Here are the top 5 ways to ensure your wood stove maintains its efficiency:
- Clean your wood stove regularly. Regular cleaning is a must, not only for efficiency, but also for safety. As you burn more fires, creosote will build up in the walls of your flue, and creosote is highly flammable. Cleaning your wood stove at least once a year is essential for maintaining efficiency and preventing chimney fires.
- Get a catalytic converter. Some wood stoves come with a catalytic converter, but you can also install one yourself.
- Use only dry, seasoned wood. The wood you burn matters. Wet wood with too much moisture content will produce more creosote, and it won’t burn that well to begin with. Dry wood, on the other hand, burns hotter and better. Although, dry wood must also be seasoned to burn properly.
The difference between dry and seasoned wood is pretty simple. Dry wood isn’t wet; it has a low moisture content and doesn’t need to be fully seasoned to be dry. However, seasoned wood has been split and left to dry long enough for the internal moisture and sap to evaporate. The difference can be seen in the color of the wood and in its weight. Seasoned wood becomes much lighter as the moisture evaporates.
- Use bricks to contain and radiate the heat. Another way to increase the efficiency of your wood stove is to use materials that will trap and radiate the heat slowly into your space. Many people stack bricks and cement pavers on top and around their wood stove, which can make a big difference in how much warmth you maintain.
- Use a wood stove fan. Wood stove fans are amazing inventions and they’re powered entirely by heat via the Peltier effect. The fan is placed on the coolest area of the top of the wood stove and as the heat rises, the blades turn, spreading the heat throughout your space.
Be cautious – some wood stoves are illegal
It’s important to make sure you stick with newer wood stoves because lawmakers are making certain types of wood stoves illegal. The stoves that are illegal are ones that don’t meet certain emissions standards, and unfortunately, that means many antique wood stoves are now illegal.
If you haven’t already bought your wood stove, reconsider buying one secondhand unless you know for sure it’s legal. To make your search easier, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of approved, certified wood stoves that meet all of their requirements. You might find some used stoves for sale from this list, but often, people are selling older, uncertified stoves.
There are some exceptions regarding using uncertified wood stoves, depending on where you live. For instance, in Washington state, you can use an otherwise “illegal” wood stove if it’s your only source of heat. However, you can’t buy, sell, or even give away/donate a wood stove deemed illegal.
Consider installing your chimney through the wall
Traditionally, wood stove chimneys have been installed through the roof, but they can also be installed through the wall at a 90-degree angle. It’s much easier to clean a chimney that has been installed through the wall because you don’t need to get on the roof, which can be rather dangerous.
If you have a choice, consider installing your chimney at a 90-degree angle through the wall so you can easily clean it without having to call a professional chimney sweep.
Enjoy your wood stove (and energy bill savings)!
As you use your wood stove more and more, you’ll find it hard to go back to electric heat. The heat from a wood stove is infrared, which feels better on your skin than the heat from a standard HVAC system. So, while you’ll save money on your electric bill, you’ll also enjoy the experience.