By John Gulland

Have you considered heating with wood? In many parts of North America, firewood is cheap and plentiful, so wood heat could potentially save you money. Not only does a woodstove give you a re­liable source of heat even when the power goes out, it’s also a green option, because wood is a renewable resource when har­vested sustainably.

Deciding which woodstove to buy can be tough, however, even if you’ve been heating with wood for years and are simply looking for a replacement stove. You’ll find a huge range of options in sizes, shapes, materials and technologies. Also, there are few recognized woodstove experts and no reliable ratings that use consistent criteria to fairly judge all the options. So how do you choose the best woodstove for you?

Woodstove Dealers and Brands

I recommend finding a good dealer first, then selecting from that store’s stock. Working for more than 30 years in the wood heating business has taught me that no one can tell you exactly what stove to buy, because all kinds of personal prefer­ences influence the final choice. However, a good dealer can be a great resource. Look for one who has been in the business for a number of years, heats his or her home with wood, and has burning models in the showroom. Keep in mind that only people who burn wood regularly can give you reli­able advice about woodstoves.

Next, pay attention to woodstove brands. In my opinion, the ideal stove is built by a company with at least 20 years’ experience in wood heating because it’s more likely to honor the warranty and continue to carry replacement parts.

For example, the stove in my house is a Super 27 built by Pacific Energy. The model has been on the market more than 20 years, and its combustion system has been revised at least twice during that pe­riod, mostly to make it more durable. I’ve rebuilt three older versions of the Super 27, one of my own and two for friends who own them. The current parts found in new stoves fit perfectly in older stoves that were originally sold with quite differ­ent internal parts. You can certainly find other stove manufacturers that follow the same thoughtful approach when they up­grade their products.

In fact, a sizable group of North American stove manufacturers has been around long enough to learn what makes people happy with their products. These are the makers of mid-priced steel stoves, a category that dominates the market. Over the years, I’ve watched these com­panies and been impressed with their corporate stability and product consis­tency. These brands include Quadrafire, Lopi and Avalon (both made by Travis Industries), Regency, Pacific Energy, and some regionally popular brands including Buck, Harman and Blaze King. In addi­tion to this group of mainly steel stove manufacturers, the Jøtul brand of cast-iron stoves merits a mention because this company’s products seem to consistently satisfy people’s needs.

Shop wood stoves here

Chimney liners should be used in your wood burning fireplace chimney. Older chimneys were often built without a liner. The problem with these types of chimneys is that without a liner, your fireplace may end up drawing more air in from the inside, while allowing the heated air to go up and out the chimney. You can also have problems with creosote build up and require more frequent chimney cleanings.

Always Use the Same Manufacturer of Chimney Liners

There are two basic types of chimney liners available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, for lining your chimney. You can use all of one type of line or a combination of both rigid and flexible liners, such as using rigid liners at the top and bottom and flexible in the middle. However, it is important to select products from the same manufacturer and not inter-mix products from different manufacturers as there could be compatibility issues.

As winters go, the North Jersey region lucked out last year, with no substantial snow and relatively mild temperatures. But if forecasters are correct, we may be in for a colder-than-normal season this time around, with above-average accumulations of the white stuff.

One way homeowners can combat the chill and make an investment in their home is by purchasing a wood stove or a wood-stove insert for their fireplace.

"Wood stoves are an excellent additional heating source," said Bob McNamara, owner of McNamara Fireplaces and Stoves, Pearl River, N.Y. (mcnamaraservices.com). "I tell customers that they can turn a cold, drafty fireplace into an efficient heater by purchasing a [wood stove] insert."

"Adding a wood stove insert can take a zero-percent-efficient fireplace and make it 75-percent efficient," said Dave Shirghio, owner of County Wood Stoves, Sparkill, N.Y. (countywoodstoves.com). He added that his business has been brisk. "We’re always busy this time of year, but people are really getting prepared for what might be a cold winter season."

One-touch Technology

McNamara said the popularity of wood stoves and inserts has brought about an interesting industry change - "Models are now available with a one-touch ignition system." He explained that the feature works by the same technology as that of a kitchen stove - a push-button "sparks" the element that heats up and ignites the wood.

"You don’t have to use newspaper or firestarter [products] to get the stove going," he said. "One click of a button will do it."

The wood also burns hotter compared to other models, McNamara said, at approximately 1,400 degrees. Depending on the efficiency of the model, the temperature inside the average wood stove/insert ranges from 500 to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Hearth, Barbecue and Patio Association.

Cost for this one-touch feature is about $349, on top of the price of the stove or insert.

"This really shocked the market," McNamara said. "We’re very excited, and customers are going to love it."

Go Green, Save Green

Both retailers said wood stoves have become more popular than gas in recent years, because wood is more abundant and less expensive. Also, it produces far fewer emissions, thanks to newer technology.

Some manufacturers now produce hybrid fire stoves that give off very low emissions. Older wood stoves can have particulate emission rates of 30 or more grams per hour (g/hr). In the late 1980s, the Environmental Protection Agency tightened regulations and established more efficient standards. Manufacturers have worked since that time to adhere to and surpass the regulations, with the latest models carrying a .58 g/hr rating.

"It’s unbelievable, how efficient these stoves are now," said McNamara.

Depending on the size and style, a stove can run $1,900-$3,000 and installation can cost another couple of thousand dollars. Installation of a fireplace insert is less than $1,000, on average.

But the return can be worth it. Shirghio said a customers’ savings on heating per month can range from a few dollars to a few hundred. "It depends on how much you use the stove, of course, but it can make an incredible difference in the long run," he said.

How They Work

Wood stoves come in a variety of models and can be used inside existing fireplaces or as stand-alone fixtures. Most can be installed against a first-floor outside wall, McNamara said.

Installation, which always should be completed by a licensed professional, includes creating a hole for an exhaust pipe through which the gases escape. Inside the compartment, you build a fire much as you would in a fireplace, and radiant heat is emitted to warm the home.

"A wood stove can heat spaces up to 2,500 square feet," McNamara said. "Rooms that are at far ends of the house won’t benefit as much, so location is important."

In large homes, Shirghio recommended having a standard heating system - an oil or gas furnace - for rooms that don’t get the benefits of the stove.

A yet-to-be-released report by nonprofit group Alliance for Green Heat shows that wood heating in America dominates the residential renewable energy market, even with virtually no government subsidies to support it.

“Transforming Wood Heat in America: A Toolkit of Policy Options” found that a $1,000 stove incentive could reduce as much fossil fuel as a $10,000 solar incentive, drive consumers toward low-emitting units and help ordinary Americans afford their utility bills.

“Our report shows that despite all the hoopla around solar, wood heat creates 80 percent of all residential renewable energy and it is a movement led by ordinary Americans—not wealthy families who can afford solar panels, geothermal systems or Priuses,” said John Ackerly, Alliance for Green Heat president. “In this age of retracting government budgets, we show that renewable energy can still move forward if we focus on technologies accessible to even low-income families, and not focus on the ultra-expensive ones that require generous government subsidies.”

The report will be released in its entirety July 13 and findings will be presented during a July 19 webinar titled The Future of Residential Wood & Pellet Heat in America.

About 13 million wood and pellet stoves are in operation today in about 10 percent of American homes, saving families hundreds of millions of dollars in fossil fuel bills, according to the alliance. About 80 percent of residential renewable energy comes from wood and pellets, it added, while only 15 percent comes from solar and 5 percent from geothermal.

The group cautions, though, that many of the residential stoves and boilers in operation now are too polluting and programs to replace appliances with new ones are necessary. But the report also found that while emissions are a barrier to widespread use of some existing technologies, wood harvesting is generally sustainable, according to the alliance.

The report authors interviewed more than 150 stakeholders to assemble a policy tool kit to help local, state and federal officials promote cleaner wood heating in America and maximize its potential as a core renewable energy technology.

“While federal and state subsidies flow to wealthy families to install solar panels, ordinary American families are reducing their reliance on fossil fuels much faster with wood and pellet heating,” Ackerly said.

The year-long study, partially funded by the U.S. Forest Service, was guided by a wood heat task force comprised of industry, air quality experts, nonprofits and foresters.

When purchasing a wood stove, it is important that you choose the appropriate size stove for your home. Most Wood Stoves will have a BTU rating which is the factor you will use to determine the proper size for your wood stove. The formula presented here is only a guideline as, unlike gas appliances that have a controlled Btu input, wood stoves are controlled by the user and the amount of fuel supplied to the stove or fireplace by the user.

BTU: Heat output is calculated in Btu's = British Thermal Unit. This is a measure of how much heat the stove or fireplace is capable of generating.

The size of the stove is dependent on the size of the area to be heated. To determine the space to be heated, multiply the width by length by height resulting in the cubic feet of area to be heated. If you are heating several rooms, then add them all together.

Next, take the lowest temperature you are likely to reach in a given winter. Then subtract that number from your target temperature. Let's say you expect 10 Deg/F to be the lowest outside temperature and you would like the room to be 70. That means on the most extreme days, you need a temperature rise of 60 Deg/F.

Next determine the cubic feet of the area you wish to heat. Take the length x width x height to determine cubic feet. Example: 10 x 20 room with 9 ft ceilings = 1800 cubic ft.

It takes 1 BTU to heat 55 cubic feet of air 1 degree under normal conditions. So in our example, we have 1800 cubic feet and want to raise the temperature 60 Deg. so the formula is 1800 c/ft div by 55 c/ft = 269 x 60 (temp rise) = 16140 Btu to heat the area.

That being said, there are other factors that have to be considered. First, is the area to be heated well constructed and insulated? If not, then add 10% (or more) to the total BTU required. If the area is extremely well constructed and insulated, deduct 10% (or more) from the total required.

The second issue in our example is we are heating the area based on the lowest temperatures of the season. However, with wood stoves and fireplaces, we are usually supplementing another heating system which can add heat power when needed in extreme weather conditions. Therefore, it is much better to use an average outside temperature factor - so we can de-rate our findings by 30%. In our example that would equate to 16140 less 30% = 11,298 Btu required to heat the room most of the winter days.

Purchasing the wood stove or fireplace for the area to be heated now becomes much easier given that you know the heat output you need. Some or most of your decision may rest on the appearance of the product so that it fits the décor you are dealing with. The important issue here is that if you do purchase a wood heating product with much more power than you need, you will have to compromise by not operating the stove or fireplace in the very mild weather. You must be able to operate your wood burning product at or near maximum temperatures to achieve maximum efficiency. Failure to do so on a regular basis will result in clogged chimneys and extreme build up of creosote in the stove or fireplace.

The staff at Copperfield Chimney Supply is very knowledgeable in all aspects of wood heating. We are always happy to provide whatever assistance you may need in determining the best wood burning product for your application.

Lighting a fireplace, wood stove, campfire or bonfire can be a daunting task. Take all the work out of this process with our Burner Fire Starters. Burner Fire Starters come conveniently packaged and easy to store barrels. Each barrel contains 100 packs, enough to easily start 100 fires. When they burn, the Fire Starters are complete odorless and have a long lasting flame. Packets have a large surface area which prevents them from being smothered with ashes. Packets will light even if they have been exposed to humidity or water.

Burner Fire Starters are safe and easy to use. They will not self ignite.