A nice way to heat up your home on cold days and save on your electric bill is to use a wood burning stove . You will find that there are different types of wood available besides using common firewood. There are cleaner burning wood fuels available, which are made from recycled materials which give off less smoke, but just as much heat. It is easy to keep a fire burning all day and night, regardless of your wood fuel preference, as long as you keep adding more wood to the stove.

A Wood Burning Stove Can Be Used in Many Places in Your Home

In the past, you would commonly find a wood burning stove in the kitchen. However, today, you will find these units in other places of the home, including living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms. Modern, efficient wood burning models are available in all different sizes, on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply. With these modern models, you can even run the chimney right through the middle of the home instead on an exterior wall.

Many Americans are bracing for high heating bills this year, but the frosty New England winter won't put a chill on Erik Fey and Kathleen Rutty-Fey's energy budget. The Feys are one of many families reducing their costly household oil or gas dependence by turning to a traditional fuel with newfound popularity: wood.

The Feys first used a wood stove to supplement heat in their New Hampshire home, then migrated to sustainable wood pellets and have never looked back. "I was hooked immediately: no more wood piles, or chopping wood; no more wood critters crawling around inside, or wood debris scattered on the floor," Kathleen said. "And it made sense to use the leftovers from wood use and production. We were feeling very green about our decision."

The pellets burn better than firewood, too. "Pellets are much cleaner in terms of emissions," said John Ackerly of the Alliance for Green Heat, a nonprofit organization that advocates the use of high-efficiency wood for home heating. "They are a low-moisture, consistent, dense wood product. Wood can be variable, and when people burn wet wood in a stove they produce a lot of emissions. Wood can be very operator-dependent." (See related quiz: What You Don't Know About Home Heating)

But perhaps the best green advantage for the Feys is the stack of cash they save on heating bills for their 250-year-old hipped roof colonial in rural New Boston, New Hampshire.

Just last week, Erik said, he had a discussion with his fuel-oil supplier about how little oil they use—less than one 275-gallon (1,040-liter) tank per year. At the going New Hampshire rate of $3.75 a gallon, the family might spend just $725 this year on oil. The six tons of pellets they feed into their stove each winter (at about $213 a ton) add another $1,280 for a total annual heat bill of only about $2,000. "Our oil guy said that some people fill up five to six times per year," Kathleen said. "If we filled our oil tank five times a year, that would cost about $5,000."

Feeding the flames with 40-pound (18-kilogram) bags of pellets still takes a bit of work, the Feys report, but the payoff in savings—and comfort—is well worth the extra effort.

Wood Heating Is Catching Fire

The Feys are not alone. So many American households are returning to the nation's original heating fuel—often in modern energy-saving pellet stoves—that the U.S. government's energy forecasters this month for the first time ever included an analysis of firewood and pellets in the annual Winter Fuels Outlook.

More than 20 percent of New England households that use heating oil also use wood as a source of heat, said U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) analyst Chip Berry. That number is about twice the national rate. New England happens to be the region of the United States that is most dependent on heating oil, which is now by far the most expensive home heating option.

Only 6 percent of U.S. households depend on heating oil, but 80 percent of them are in the Northeast—many of them in places with no pipeline connection to far cheaper natural gas, the heating fuel of choice for more than half of American homes. With the average U.S. household that uses heating oil expected to spend $1,909 on fuel this winter, well over three times the forecast average price for home heating with natural gas ($804), it's no wonder New Englanders are turning to wood. (See "With Record Heating Oil Prices Expected, Homes Dash to Gas")

About 38 percent of all U.S. households rely on electricity for keeping comfortable in winter, making it the nation's second most popular heating fuel. But its use is concentrated in the South, where there's far less need for winter heating. About 5 percent of homes rely on propane, which is typically delivered to homes in tanks, and is almost as expensive as heating oil.

Berry manages the EIA's Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), which provides data on how Americans heat their homes. According to the most recent (2009) data, Berry said, about 12 percent of American homes use wood, primarily as a secondary source of heat in homes that use heating oil or propane.

That EIA report notes that wood use has grown during the past decade after 20 years of steady decline during the 1980s and 1990s. "The results of the 2009 RECS show that wood is a significant source of heat in many U.S. homes, and wood consumption is almost as much as heating oil consumption," Berry said. "Given these facts, EIA felt it was important to begin noting wood as part of the Winter Fuels Outlook."

Colorado and the Pacific Northwest are other hotbeds of such wood use, according to the EIA. Other organizations confirm that the practice is growing. "The American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau) estimates that households using wood as a main source of heat increased from 1.87 million in 2005 to 2.47 million in 2011," EIA's Berry noted.

Sometimes-Forgotten Fuel

Ackerly of the of the pro-wood Alliance for Green Heat said wood already is a major part of the rural energy mix that may be overlooked by some decision-makers based in cities like Washington, D.C.

"It's very close, but wood creates more BTUs [British thermal units] in America for home heating than propane does," Ackerly said. "And it's also very close to catching up to oil. In a couple of years, I think it will be producing more BTUs for home heating than fuel oil. At that point it would be the No. 3 fuel in terms of heat production."

Currently, wood produces 0.5 quadrillion BTU (quads) per year, propane 0.49 quads, and oil 0.6 quads, according to EIA statistics.

Not surprisingly, people who live in rural areas are far more likely to heat with wood. The EIA survey results show 22 percent of rural American homes burn wood for heat, compared to only 8 percent of their urban counterparts.

Many wood users simply burn firewood or wood scraps, and about half of them save money by cutting the wood themselves. Only about 6 percent of America's wood-burning households use pellets, according to EIA stats. But pellets have some environmental advantages over firewood, according to Ackerly, in addition to conveniences like those enjoyed by the Feys.

Cleaner-burning pellets are produced from waste products such as lumber mill sawdust, and chips or scraps left over from lumbering or tree thinning. "Trees aren't cut down specifically to make pellets," Ackerly explained, "although most firewood sources are mom-and-pop-type operations that use a lot of dead and fallen timber and generally harvest wood sustainably."

The EIA is forecasting winter 2012-13 oil and gas prices to be about the same as last year's. But because last winter was so mild in much of the country, consumers are likely to burn more fuel and can expect their oil or gas bills to increase an estimated 15 percent or more, according to the agency.

EIA doesn't currently offer such forecasting or other price information for wood products. Ackerly hopes that will change, particularly in light of the tough times ahead.

"It's such an affordable way to heat. It's a real benefit for the consumer if the government could include this information, because people are having to make some tough decisions, with oil prices going up," he said. "You don't want to exclude some of the most affordable fuels and also the most renewable heating fuels."

In colonial times, Americans stayed warm indoors by burning wood.

Before homes had furnaces, people heated homes by burning wood. Fireplaces became popular during the 1600s. Fireplaces are cozy and beautiful, but a fireplace is not a cost-effective way to heat a home because much of the heat escapes through the chimney.

Cast iron stoves proved to be a better, more efficient method for home heating. During the 1740s, Americans began using the Franklin stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin. The more sophisticated Franklin stoves of the 1820s allowed families to cook food on top of them or even inside them.

Today, many families use wood stoves for home heating as a secondary or primary heat source.

There are several options for alternative heating. People in many parts of the country still burn wood indoors, in addition to using their furnace. The price of heating with wood involves the one time cost of purchasing the stove and installation and yearly expenses of fuel and chimney cleaning. It's a terrific way to heat your home less expensively, especially when you find free firewood in your own neighborhood. You may be surprised at how plentiful wood is; you just have to look!

If you can find free firewood, then a wood burning stove may be your best and least expensive option. You can purchase the stove itself for as little as $250. A larger stove will hold more wood and thus burn hotter and longer. Stoves that are larger, more decorative or have more features, such as blowers for circulating the heat, will cost more. Installation could be pricey, especially if you need to put up a chimney, as you never want to use the same chimney for a gas furnace and wood burner; that could put you at risk for a house fire.

You can have the warmest heat by choosing the correct firewood.

Firewood needs to be dried or seasoned; there should be no moisture inside a log. Sometimes it takes a few years for wood to season. Unseasoned wood does not burn easily, produces little heat, and makes the inside of your chimney sticky with dangerous creosote. Many people don't like burning wood from pine trees because of its never-drying sap.

Firewood from certain kinds of trees creates more heat than other kinds of tree. Woods that are considered to be hard woods, such as hickory, oak, or maple, burn the hottest. Soft woods, such as birch or willow, produce much less heat. Learn what kinds of trees grow in your area.

A pellet stove may be the right option for your home.

If you don't have access to free firewood, then your home may best suited for a pellet stove. With the popularity of Presto-logs in the 1930s, pellet stoves evolved; their popularity gained impetus during the oil crisis of the 1970s. You'll pay more for the stove itself, over $2,000, plus the installation cost, but the price of the pellets isn't unreasonable. Depending on how hot you'll keep your home, expect to use about a ton of pellets per season, which costs about $150 and stores neatly in a space approximately 64 cubic feet.

People often prefer pellet stoves to wood burners as they're easier to use. The pellets are simply compacted wood or sawdust. Some burners also allow the use of seeds, grains, and wood chips. Simply put the pellets into the hopper that's part of the stove. The pellets will automatically feed regularly into the stove creating constant steady heat. Unlike a wood burner, no adjusting is involved. Clean-up is also easier and less messy.

A corn stove sells for about $1,400. It's similar to a pellet stove but is designed to burn whole kernel shelled corn. It has a device to stir the corn.

Evaluate all aspects of wood heat before making your decision.

Wood burners or pellet stoves can be freestanding or inserted into a fireplace. Also, they can be installed in the basement, rather than the family room, through duct system. This circulates heat through the entire house. Before purchasing and installing a wood or pellet stove, check with your insurance agent to be certain that your homeowners insurance will cover your home, and obtain in writing any special requirements, such as distance from the wall.

Prices on all of these options will vary by year and by region. You'll want to check with the local country extension service and suppliers to see how much of any fuel you'll need in your area and to find out what it will cost. Then do the math for yourself to see what works out best for you.

Sitting by the fireplace or wood stove is a relaxing family activity. Whether you're playing board games, reading, or taking a snooze, the cozy warmth of an indoor fire feels wonderful and is a sensible dollar stretching source of energy. Stay warm this season!

Shop Wood Stoves Here

Some folks are obsessive about the choice of firewood. First chore is finding it, then cutting, splitting and stacking are all part of the fun. Doing all the aforementioned properly will result in a clean burning, safe system that will be very efficient,

In Norway, firewood is a national obsession. In fact, one of the most popular TV shows, “National Firewood Night,” was a 12-hour program about firewood. No joke, 12 hours. It’s not hard to understand when you consider that 1.2 million Norwegian homes have fireplaces, wood stoves or both. The TV show was based upon Mytting’s best-selling book.

Diet and fitness books may be among the top-selling books in North America. In Norway, the subject of firewood may usurp it. Mytting’s book was a runaway success, spending more than a year on Norway’s best-seller list. Sales have surpassed 150,000 copies.

Norwegians hold strong opinions about firewood. Mytting told a reporter that, “You can tell a lot about a person from his firewood stack.” And no aspect of the subject is considered trivial. The 12-hour TV program generated debate about stacking, and 50 per cent of the viewers were upset because the bark was facing up, while the rest balked because it was facing down.

When it comes to the subject of firewood, Mytting is considered the last word, and the ideal source to pass on tips for achieving perfect burning. Here are five tips from Mytting:

Air control

To get maximum heat, it’s best to keep the flu control wide open so the wood burns hot and the flames are intense. This will also reduce pollution, because gas particles are combusted and produce heat instead. Once your home is warm, control the temperature by the amount of wood used, not by regulating the flu control.

Minimal amount of smoke from chimney

Contrary to popular belief, smoke is not exhaust, but high energy gases that weren't’t burned. Check the smoke coming out of the chimney. Dense black smoke means that combustion isn't’t ideal because the fire isn't’t hot enough. If wood burns optimally, only odor-free smoke is released from the chimney.

Keep wood stove clean

Clean your stove and flue pipe once a year. It’s also important to clean your stove often if you accumulate a lot of soot.

Different types of wood yield different heat levels

Hardwood provides more heat than softwoods. Softwoods are ideal for starting a fire, and provide a cleaner burn. But once the fire is started, add hardwood to intensify heat, and provide continuous burning. The amount of wood needed is contingent upon the size of the stove’s firebox and the length and breadth of the wood you’re burning.

Healthy overnight heating

Most wood stoves burn two to three hours on one wood load. At night, it’s common practice to close the air supply so that coals smolder and provide continuous heat. But slow smoldering coals are a source of pollution. And over several hours, the heat diminishes.

A more efficient and healthier burning method is to load the wood stove with large logs before you go to bed, but keep the flu wide open. When the fire dies out, sufficient heat will be generated, and the insulation in your home will keep the heat in. In the morning, the stove will still be warm, and easily started.

Winter being upon us, we start thinking about the cold damp nights and the cozy warmth of snuggling up to a fireplace or wood burning stove. There are some important things to remember when getting ready to start operating your heating appliance.

• A fireplace or wood stove is not intended for burning trash.
• If you have an open type fireplace (no doors) make sure you always operate the unit with a screen barrier so as to eliminate an sparks from flying into the living area.
• Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene or charcoal light to start your fire.
• Make sure the fire is extinguished before retiring for the evening.
• Only small amounts of firewood should be stored in the home, the balance of your wood should be stored outside. Firewood is a vehicle for bugs to enter the home.
• If your fireplace is equipped with a damper, keep it closed whenever the fireplace is not in operation.
• Last but not least is you should always check your chimney to make sure it is clean and safe to operate. If there are signs of creosote build up, you should have professionally cleaned before operating the fireplace.

First and foremost, don't try to burn water. This sounds silly but it is the most fundamental thing to consider when you are burning wood. It might surprise you but green wood is up to 50% water. Putting it another way, for every Kg of green wood you try to burn, you are in essense adding around a pint of water. Drying you wood properly is key to make sure you have a safe, efficient enjoyable fire.

If you do have green wood, you can dry it yourself. The wood should be stacked properly so that air can circulate through the entire stack. You should put a cover - tarp - over the top to keep rain out but do not completely cover the stack as that will prevent air from circulating through the stack. Cord wood should be dried a minimum of 6 mos before attempting to burn it. There are moisture meters available so you can determine the mositure at any point in time.

If you are buying your wood, you can use the moisture meter to check the moisture content before you make the purchase.

Control the air that enters the stove:

The air entering your stove enters in two areas. Primary air feeds the bottom of the fire bed and secondary air mixes with the gases coming off he burning wood. About 80% of the heat obtainable from burning wood is in the form of the burning gases off the top of the fire. Obviously then the secondary air is more important than the primary air.

If you have a control for secondary air, never close it completely. Closing it will almost guarantee an efficient, dirty burn resulting in chimney build up as well as dirty glass door.

The only time you may want to leave the stove door open is when you are starting the fire. Leaving the door slight adjar will cause a rush of air across the bottom of the fire and help to get the fire going more quickly. Leaving the door open any other time will great diminish the heat output and efficiency of the stove.

Your stove burns at its most efficient state when it is burning hot. A small hot fire is much preferred over a large smoldering inefficient fire.