If you are considering buying a wood stove for your home, the first question that may come to mind is whether or not it will save money. This article discusses what you should consider when looking at this decision. For example, do you have enough space in your home for a wood stove? Do you need to worry about ventilation? Below is an overview of some of the things we will cover!
Wood stoves are great ways to save money on heating bills. They also provide some additional benefits, like the ability to dry clothes and cook food during cold winter months! But before you make any decisions about purchasing a wood stove for your home, it is important to consider how much they cost up front. Here are some of the most common costs associated with purchasing a wood stove:
- Cost of installation $150-$2,000
- Cost of chimney repair or replacement $200-5,000+
- Cost of cleaning firewood $0-$500/year
What is a Wood Stove and how does it work?
A wood stove is a device designed to burn fuel in order to produce heat. They are fireplace inserts that provide warmth and ambiance during the winter months. Wood-burning stoves work by burning small pieces of wood inside the firebox, which heats air as it enters from outside via way of a fan or blower system that sucks hot air and pushes it into the room. The wood stove is connected to a chimney or flue, which conducts smoke outside through an exhaust pipe.
How much money do you save with a Wood Stove?
It is difficult to say how much money you can save. The amount of money that a wood stove saves varies based on the size of your home, its insulation content and where it’s placed in relation to other rooms. Wood stoves also work by raising the temperature inside your house which means they are more efficient during winter months when it’s cold outside.
The average household can save up to 30% on heating costs by using a wood stove. This savings is achieved in two ways: first, because you use less electricity or gas when the room temperature has been raised and second, because there are fewer drafts coming through your windows during winter months. You must also consider the cost of purchasing and installation – this may affect your savings depending on where you live.
If you are looking to use wood heat instead of gas or electricity to save money, there is good news: it’s possible! People who use a wood stove for heating their home end up saving anywhere from 20% to 30% when all things are considered.
Wood Stove Losing Money?
If you are reading this, chances are it’s because your wood stove is not saving the money that you thought it would.
Steps to fix a Money Losing Wood Stove:
- Be sure to only burn seasoned wood. It is very important that the wood is dry enough or else it won’t be efficient.
- Ensure your stove has a good draft by opening all windows, doors and cracks for better heat circulation.
- The temperature needs to reach about 400 degrees Fahrenheit in order for the wood stove to work well.
- You can also invest in a catalytic combustor which will reduce the amount of smoke and creosote that goes into your chimney.
- Find a good location for your wood stove. It should be at least 20 feet from any combustible material, including houses and buildings.
- You should also be careful with how much wood you put in at a time. You don’t want it to catch fire, so go slow!
- Be sure that your chimney is properly connected and sealed.
The benefits of using a Wood Stove
Provides warmth to the home without electricity or gas bills.
Wood stoves are cheaper than electric heaters over time, because burning wood is not only more efficient but also less expensive when you consider that most people would pay for firewood in addition to their utility bill if they used an alternative heating source.
Wood stoves are sustainable. Burning wood for heat is better for the environment than using power or gas to do it, because a small amount of energy will go a long way in heating your home with a wood stove – and there’s no harm done to trees cut down specifically for that purpose.
- A high quality wood stove can last a lifetime, and is not just an investment but also a source of joy.
- The experience of sitting around the fire in winter is part of what makes life fulfilling to many people.
- Wood stoves can be used to burn pellets, which are a relatively clean and simplified way of heating your home with wood.
- They come in various designs that fit both modern homes as well as traditional settings.
Is a Wood Stove right for you?
A wood stove is a great choice for those who live in rural areas. If you have an acre or more of land, enjoy being outdoors, and are prepared to spend your weekends chopping trees into firewood then looking at installing one could be the next step. The most important thing with any heating appliance is making sure that it’s the right choice for you and your family.
If you’re looking to save money on your heating bills, a wood stove will do this for you. While the initial cost of purchasing and installing one may be expensive, it won’t take long before they start paying dividends in terms of savings compared with other forms of heat such as gas or electricity.
The pros are that they are cheaper to run than other forms of heating, and most models can achieve a thermal efficiency rating between 80-90%, if you buy the right model.
The cons is that they do require regular maintenance such as cleaning out any ash deposits which build up inside it. You must also be prepared for wood stoves to need more space in your home than other forms of heating.
Tips for choosing the best Wood Stove for your needs
- Decide whether you want a wood stove or an insert. A standard wood stove can be placed anywhere in your home, while inserts are made to fit into existing fireplaces and require more installation work. An insert is also less expensive than a custom built unit for someone who does not have their own fireplace.
- A few factors that affect the price of a wood stove are the size, type of metal (steel or cast iron), and whether it has an electronic ignition.
- The best way to know what you can cut is by researching at your local firewood supplier. They should be able to tell you which woods burn well in any particular model. If they don’t know or if they don’t have the information you need, call the stove manufacturer.
- Do not burn pressure treated wood in your stove because it has chemicals that can escape into your home and be hazardous for humans to breathe. Pressure treated lumber is usually a dark green color and might also say “treated,” “protected,” or “KX” somewhere on the stud.
- Wood stoves should never be used as a central heating system in homes because they are not designed for this purpose and will break down easily. If you want to use your stove as supplemental heat, first make sure it’s large enough so that it can handle the job. It also needs to be properly vented and located appropriately so that it can provide the amount of heat you’re looking for.
- Even if a wood stove is being used as supplemental heating, it still needs proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from buildup inside your home. All wood stoves have at least one or two small windows on its front panel to provide the air necessary for complete combustion.
- Wood stoves are efficient ways of heating your home, but they can also be expensive if you aren’t careful about what type of wood you burn in it and how often it is used. The more frequently a stove runs or the longer its use each day, the higher your utility bills will be.
- If you’re comparing different types of wood stoves, remember that pellet stoves are usually more expensive than other models to buy and operate because they require the use of special pellets made from sawdust or compressed pieces of bark. They also need specialized air ducting installed in your home for proper venting into the outside air.
Wood Stoves that are worth considering
A small, portable stove that can be taken from place to place and easily assembled.
The Camplux Portable Wood Burning Stove – a good option for cooking your meals indoors or out. It has no legs and is made of steel powder coated with black paint so it won’t rust over time. The two front legs are placed on the outside of the stove and it can be mounted to any vertical surface.
A wood burning stove that is built into a wooden house, like this one in Ontario Canada. This sort of design might work for some people who want an indoor version without having to buy another unit or pay someone else to build something new.
Environmental Protection
Wood-burning stoves are environmentally friendly because they burn renewable resources. They don’t use any electricity or fossil fuels, and their emissions contain very few contaminants.
One of the most commonly used resources for wood-burning stoves is waste from lumber mills. In addition, many people use trees they remove on their own property as a source of fuel.
Although some may think that burning more trees will contribute to deforestation and reduce forest reserves, this isn’t usually the case with wood-burning stoves.
Safety Tips For Wood Stoves
Keep your homes heating system in good working order. A fireplace should be used regularly to maintain cleanliness and proper functioning of the chimney, damper, firebox, flue piping or stovepipe outlet.
- The best way to prevent fires is to keep your hearth clear of combustible materials such as rugs, furniture, and other items.
- Keep the area clear around your wood stove at all times when it is in operation. Keep children away from the immediate firebox area by using a sturdy gate or door knob latch to prevent tragic accidents.
- Wood stoves emit carbon monoxide which can be lethal if left undetected – have an exhaust fan, flue vent or chimney installed to help improve air circulation from the stove.
- Ideally a wood stove should be placed in an open area of your home that has adequate ventilation and no obstructions. Make sure there is plenty of fresh air coming into the room before starting up a fire!
- Never leave children unattended near the stove.
- Make sure your wood stove is clean and dry before storing it away during winter months or periods of disuse to prevent rusting, water damage or fire hazard from creosote buildup.
FAQs
Does a wood stove save money?
Yes, it can save you up to 75% on your current heating costs. With the rising cost of energy and fuel prices continuing to climb each year, owning a wood-burning stove is becoming more popular than ever before. Whether you’re looking for an efficient way to heat your home or supplement existing heating, owning a wood stove is an affordable way to warm up.
How much does wood stove cost?
Wood-burning stoves can be purchased through local retail stores or online for about $200-$800 depending on the size and type of stove you choose. For example, smaller stoves can cost about $200-$500, while larger stoves which are made out of cast iron and include a blower system to circulate the warm air throughout your home can range from $700-800.
How much does it cost to run a wood stove?
The amount you spend each month on heating your home will largely depend on the size of your wood stove, how often you use it and if you have a chimney or not. In general, with most stoves costing between $200-$800 to buy new, they pay for themselves in no time since heating costs can range from as little as $400-$600 per month during winter months.
How often do you have to change the filter in a wood stove?
Most people only need to replace their filters once every few months or so. If your smoke smells bad when it is exiting from your chimney, this may mean that you should clean out and replace your filter more frequently. The best time to replace the filter is after you’ve had a fire and it has cooled down.
How do you clean out a wood stove?
Once your wood stove is cool, take off the ashes with tongs or even an old coffee can then dump them into a metal bucket that can be easily cleaned later. If you have a glass door on your stove, it is recommended that you wipe this down with soap and water after dumping out the ashes. To clean out any crevices, use an old toothbrush to reach those tight spots which won’t be possible once the new wood burning season begins again.
How do I maintain a wood stove?
If you have a traditional cast iron or steel wood-burning stove, simply wipe down the outside with soap and water. You may also want to paint over any areas that are chipping off which will make your home look cleaner as well as protect it from rusting. Lastly, be sure to keep all of your vents clean so that the air can circulate properly.
Are wood stoves safe?
Yes, they are completely safe to use as long as you follow all of the instructions for operation and installation provided by your stove’s manufacturer. If you plan on using it indoors, always be sure to purchase a UL listed stove that has been tested for safety. If you have a glass door on your wood-burning stove, be sure to keep it clean of ash and other residue which can become a fire hazard if left unattended.
Do all stoves require electricity?
Most newer appliances do come with an electrical outlet but having it will give you the option of hooking up a blower if needed. If your stove does not have electricity, it can still be used without any problems as long as there is no debris lodged in the vent or chimney system which could cause dangerous carbon monoxide gas to leak into your home.
How much wood do I need to burn in a wood stove?
It really depends on your home’s size and the type of wood you are burning. An average sized room for one person will only need about half a cord which is equivalent to two ricks or eight face cords, while larger rooms such as living rooms that can accommodate multiple people may require more.
How much does it cost to fill up a wood stove?
When compared to other types of heating systems, you can expect to spend about $100-$150 for enough fuel wood for the entire season which is well worth the money considering that your energy bills will be at least 50% less than they were before.
What is an efficient wood stove?
The most energy-efficient stoves are the ones with separate combustion chambers where the firewood burns inside and hot air rises up through a metal duct to be circulated throughout your home. Most modern models have been designed this way so that you get maximum heat from every log that is burned.
What types of wood are good to burn in a stove?
It really depends on your personal preference and what you have available locally but some popular choices for burning include oak, maple, ash, cherry or even walnut if it is seasoned properly since these will give out the most heat upon burning.
How long can I burn wood in my stove?
It is recommended that you do not let your fire die out overnight since it could cause creosote buildup which will lead to more dangerous conditions inside of the chimney system. If you are planning on going away for a few days or even just want to turn off your stove to go on vacation, you can fill up the firebox with newspaper and kindling before turning it off which will keep the fire burning long enough that everything is completely out.
Conclusion
Wood stoves are definitely an option to consider when it comes to saving money. Just make sure you take the time to properly research your options before making a purchase! If this is something that interests you, check out our blog post on wood stove cost vs installation costs now. We hope you enjoyed reading about whether or not they save money!