Wood stoves are serious business in New Hampshire – as many as a quarter of homes in the state use firewood or pellet stoves as primary or secondary heat – so lots of people are likely to be interested in a project that could pay $1,000 or more to replace old, inefficient stoves.

If so, they had better hurry. A similar program in western Massachusetts ran out of money in less than a month, and it had more money to give out.

“It launched December 6, and I’ve already got 60 applications,” Michelle Edwards, of the American Lung Association, said three days after the Wood Stove Changeout program began.

The program has $183,000 to disperse, which means at least a third of it was spoken for by Friday noon. (The Massachusetts program had more than $200,000.)

The money came from a settlement between the federal EPA and G&K Services, the parent company of a Manchester laundry that washes towels contaminated with industrial oils and solvents. It violated air pollution rules and agreed to pay a penalty, part of which is being used in this program.

The Wood Stove Changeout program involves stoves made before 1990, when EPA standards for emissions kicked in. These devices emit relatively large amounts of soot and other pollutants, both indoors and out.

“Older stoves not only pollute externally, but they give off a lot of smoke and particulate matter when you open the stove and it comes into the room,” Edwards said.

That pollution can worsen asthma and other breathing disorders, hence the America Lung Association’s participation.

Covering part of the cost of replacing old fixtures or items is often considered a cost-effective way to improve pollution or energy efficiency.

The highest-profile example was the $1 billion federal Cash for Clunkers program, which gave people up to $4,500 when they traded in an old car for a new one with higher fuel economy. New Hampshire has also had state programs offering rebates if people upgrade their home heating systems and another one that gave vouchers if you turned in an old refrigerator/freezer.

Last year, the state even ran a program offering vouchers of $1,000 if people replaced old wood stoves.

It was confined to the Keene area, where weather patterns can trap pollution from stoves.

This latest program is open to all of Hillsborough County, as well as Rockingham County on the Seacoast and Merrimack County, which includes Concord.

People who have stoves built before 1990, when stricter air-pollution controls became mandatory, can get vouchers for use at participating dealers. You have to turn in your old stove, which will be recycled or destroyed.

Vouchers include:

$1,000 to switch from an old wood stove to one that’s EPA certified.

$1,500 to switch from a wood stove to a new pellet stove or gas stove.

$2,000 to retrofit an existing wood stove with a new catalyst or retrofit an outdoor boiler with cleaner components.

$3,000 for a switchout if you receive Medicaid or participate in the Low Income Heating Assistance Program or the Women’s Infant and Children’s nutrition program.

$4,000 for switching an outdoor wood boiler, also known as a hydronic heater.

Edwards said most applications so far seek to replace a wood stove with a newer stove, rather than a pellet stove or other technology – perhaps because firewood stoves can burn even when the power is out and thus make better backup heaters.

The largest payout concerns outdoor boilers because units more than a couple years old slipped through a regulatory loophole and have little or no pollution controls.

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If you haven’t started storing wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove, I’d get started now. The days are already getting shorter, and before you know it summer will be over, and fall’s first chill will be in the air.

But if you’re only stocking wood for a fireplace, and burning wood for its esthetic value rather than as an energy source, there’s still time to gather enough good wood for the winter. If you buy wood, and have it stacked or stack it yourself, you can virtually wait to the last minute.

If you heat your home predominantly by wood, as I do, you should have started stowing wood weeks ago. Compared to most folks who heat their homes by oil, gas, or electricity, I’m among a small minority who heat their homes entirely by wood. I cut it, haul, split, and stack it. That translates to a lot of work. If I can recruit my son to help out, the job is a little easier. More often than not I do the entire, tedious job myself. Since it’s a tough, tiring job that takes a toll on my body, especially arms and legs, I spread it out over four weeks.

Every year, my goal is to find seasoned wood, or wood that is well on its way to being totally seasoned. By just looking at a log or branch, I can tell whether it’s seasoned. Typically, seasoned wood is lighter than unseasoned wood; has a hollow like sound when dropped on the ground; and when cut, it has many cracks from the centre to its ends.

Technically, seasoned wood is dry wood that has a moisture content of 15 per cent to 20 per cent. Most important, it burns hotter and more efficiently, and it reduces wood consumption as much as 25 per cent. That’s why seasoned wood costs a lot more than partially seasoned wood.

If you burn as much wood as I do, which is about eight cords during the chilly and cold months, it’s almost impossible to stock only seasoned wood. Depending upon the state of the wood, whether it’s a recently-cut dead tree or one that has been sitting on the ground for a couple years, it can take six months to a year for wood to dry out. Some experts insist that it takes two years to season wood.

That’s a matter of opinion, because it depends upon the type of wood you’re burning, and how it’s stored. If properly stacked, which is an art in itself, so the wood has plenty of air and light, it will dry pretty quickly, as opposed to wood that is stored in an enclosed area with little or no natural light.

Also, the type of wood burned has a great deal to do with the quality and duration of heat. All wood isn’t the same. Wood aficionados can tell what type of wood is burned by its smell, because every wood has its own distinct smell. That said, I wish I could burn only quality wood, but I have little say in the matter. Mother Nature calls the shots, and I take what I find. Each year it’s different. I can count on a few dead trees on my own property that either fall by themselves following a storm or that I cut down once I’m sure they’re dead.

If you wander North America’s woods and forests, you’ll find a rich variety of hard woods. But the best burning woods are black walnut, sycamore, red and white oak, maple and white and green ash. But there are many other woods that come pretty close.

If you buy wood, it pays to ask about the type of wood you’re getting. The average wood buyer doesn’t know one wood from the other, but it pays to learn something about wood so you know you’re getting quality wood. Reputable loggers selling a variety of seasoned woods should be happy to tell you.

A wood-burning appliance for space and/or water heating and/or cooking.

A wood stove sits on the floor of a room, usually away from the wall - though some of the newer models may now be placed as close as 8 inches (20 cm) from the wall. All new wood stoves are clean burning and have relatively high heating efficiencies that range from 65 to 78 percent. They may be catalytic or non-catalytic.

Styles and type of construction

Wood stoves are available in a variety of styles that vary from contemporary to traditional-looking models. They are usually made of cast iron, plate steel, sheet metal, or a combination of these materials. Some manufacturers have altered the appearance of the traditional cast-iron stove by applying different materials to the outside of the stove. Stoves are frequently enameled in a variety of colors and some are covered with marble or porcelain. Steel-plate stoves are generally made of 3/16- to 1/4-inch thick plates cut and stamped to shape. Cast-iron stoves are made of cast parts bolted together. The parts should have detailed lines and clean surfaces free of grains. The characteristics of steel and cast iron are not significantly different, therefore you can make your choice based on size, budget, and the design of the stove.

Features and what to look for:

You can tell if a wood stove is well-made by checking for clean castings, smooth welds, tight doors, smoothly-operating draft controls, and the appearance of good workmanship. Most stoves also have firebricks or metal plates to prevent burnout. These materials increase both the life of the stove and, to some extent, the thermal mass (the heat's storage medium). After the fire is out, a 500-pound stove radiates heat several hours longer than a 250-pound stove. Stoves may have doors on the top, on the side, or both.

Many of the new wood stoves have large glass doors on the side so that you can see the flames. Some glass doors perform better than others. For example, one type uses an infrared barrier in the glass that reflects heat back into the firebox. Some new models have airflow systems that remove soot and smoke from the glass doors, making them virtually self-cleaning. Wood stoves can also include several additional features such as thermostats, insulated door handles, removable ash pans and blower. We offer Majestic Wood Stoves and Napoleon Wood Stoves.

Chimneys

If you are purchasing a stove for a home that has never had one, you will probably need to install a chimney. Prefabricated metal chimneys are the easiest types to retrofit. They are relatively inexpensive and not extremely difficult to install. You will, however, need to cut a hole in your roof. If you are using an existing chimney in your house, make sure that the stove you are planning to buy is compatible. Many existing chimneys need to be relined, with stainless steel stove pipe in order for them to work correctly with the new high-efficiency stoves. Copperfield Chimney Supply has everything you need to install your wood stove chimney .

Purchase

The experts at Copperfield Chimney Supply are always ready to help you in making your final decision on which wood stove to purchase. Call or click today! 800-218-4947

Jan. 21, 2010 issue : According to the U.S. Department of Energy 90 percent of Americans burned wood to heat their homes before the 20th century. With the discovery and development of inexpensive fossil fuel that number dropped as low as 1 percent in 1970. Recently, pellet stoves have grown in popularity as a bio-fuel powered way to heat homes. More

More than 12 million households are currently reliant on wood-burning stoves for heat generation according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . While the majority of the stoves are located in the living rooms of American homes , it is not uncommon to find a wood stove right in the heart of the home: the kitchen. Although wood stoves are very versatile and can easily be placed here, there are a few considerations, such as the following, that you need to keep in mind before choosing the right unit for your home.

Placement of your stove is very important

Many modern-day kitchens boast extractor fans that aim to remove unpleasant odors from the kitchen. These fans create negative pressure which is not suitable for wood burning stoves which rely on positive chimney pressure to eradicate combusted gases from the room. When placing your stove, make sure it is not too close to your extraction fan as you don’t want the smoke to be circulated back into the kitchen. This can easily be avoided by either installing an air vent in the room or investing in a stove that receives air externally.

Safety first

While a wood stove can be installed virtually anywhere in the kitchen, it is important to avoid placing it too close to other appliances as it can cause them to overheat. Don’t keep any combustible materials near the stove either as there is always a slight possibility of embers falling out. For added safety, have a smoke detector installed in your kitchen to alert you of any looming dangers that require your attention.

A wood stove can boost the visual appeal of your kitchen

Modern-day wood burning stoves are available in a host of sizes, designs, and finishes that will complement any kitchen beautifully. Whether you have a country-style kitchen with a lot of wood finishes or one that is ultra-modern, you are bound to find a wood stove that fits the room perfectly. While an older, classical stove will enhance the ambiance of your somewhat-whimsical kitchen nicely, a sleek design will look striking in a more contemporary setup. You don’t have to try to match the exact color and style of your existing cooking and cleaning appliances including your dishwasher, oven, and fridge, but you can opt for a wood stove that will not only look good but suit your needs in terms of practicality as well.

Yes, you can cook on your wood stove

Depending on the type of wood burning stove you invest in, you might find yourself able to cook on it. Even if you do have a kitchen filled with state-of-the-art appliances you might find it intriguing to cook on your wood stove, just like our great-grandparents did many years ago. A lot of people enjoy the flavor of wood-cooked food as it has a distinct, natural taste to it. Not only does the stove top enable you to cook and warm a large variety of dishes but it will also make it possible to prepare food during power outages if you don’t have a gas cooker.

A wood-burning stove can be a welcome addition to any kitchen. Not only will it heat up your entire home but it will also make for a beautiful focal point that enhances the appearance of the most frequented room in the house tremendously.

Cassandra Pearson

Over the years, fireplaces have been a familiar feature in many homes, however until very recently, they have undergone very little change from the traditional hearth.

2014 is heating up to be a very different year for the fireplace. Fireplaces are becoming the design focus for many rooms in the house and with new technological advances it’s now possible to do more with the fireplace than ever before.

“We’re seeing some very interesting home designs that incorporate fireplaces in many creative new ways,” said David Coulson, of Napoleon Fireplaces. “While the traditional hearth will be a mainstay for many homes, modern fireplaces with crisp lines and glass frames will continue to rise in popularity with new homes and redesigned rooms. That being said we’re seeing several new trends emerge this season that are really changing the way people are thinking about fireplaces.”

Coulson suggests keeping the following hot trends in mind when looking for a new fireplace this season.

• Modern: The upcoming season will continue the trend of sleek and modern fireplaces. Look for clean, linear lines with less metal and more glass. People want the full flame and don’t want black or chrome metal frames blocking the view or interfering with the lighting.

• Gas: Gas fireplaces will continue to rise in popularity this season. The convenience of flicking a switch compared to collecting, piling and lighting firewood is quickly winning out. The younger generation of fireplace buyers want a quick lighting fireplace that is cleaner and easier to maintain.

• Outdoors: 2014 will be a big year for the outdoor fireplace as people create or expand on their backyard oasis. The idea of turning a backyard into another room of your house is fueling the outdoor fireplace trend and Napoleon has developed several new models to accommodate this demand.

• Heat rises: Much like HD televisions, consumers are placing their fireplace inserts higher up on the wall. New technology allows for home owners to insert enclosed gas fireplaces almost anywhere in the house and many people are taking inspiration from designers who are playing with the traditional ideas of where you find a fireplace.

• Unlikely locations: Much like the migration of fireplaces up the wall, more fireplaces are being installed in unlikely rooms. For example, Napoleon makes several models which are ideally suited for the kitchen or bathroom. These fireplaces however are typically used to decorate the room, not to heat it. Another hot spot is the home theatre. More fireplaces are being installed in high end home theatres to create dramatic lighting schemes.