How to choose a stove for heat

When you are searching for an alternative source of heat, consider getting a wood or pellet stove.

They are equivalent to gas, oil or electricity. If the lights go out, you will still be able to cook and stay warm.

Selecting the right stove for your home requires careful consideration. Knowing the differences between wood and pellet stoves will help you make a good purchasing decision.

Wood stoves

Wood stoves consist of cast iron or welded steel. They burn wood to heat your home.

People choose steel or cast iron because of the look and cost. The choice of metal has no impact on the stove’s performance.

Wood stoves are quite simple. When the wood burns, it produces heat, ashes and smoke.

Some people choose to purchase a stove with a catalytic converter. This type of stove makes use of leftover combustibles, reducing emissions and boosting efficiency. A stove without a catalytic converter will still burn wood completely, leaving little ash and smoke behind.

It is always best to look for a wood stove with an efficiency rating between 60 and 80 percent. You should understand, however, that these ratings are not standardized and are often misunderstood by consumers. It is best to purchase a wood stove from a reputable retailer who will answer your questions honestly and clearly.

Before purchasing a wood stove, calculate the cubic footage of the area you are going to heat. You should also know the size of the logs you are going to burn. Sixteen-inch logs are usually recommended because they are easy to stack and manage. The log capacity of your stove should be about three inches longer, or 19 inches total.

It doesn't’t pay to purchase a cheap wood stove. The internal parts will wear out quickly. It is difficult to find a replacement for them. Better stoves consist of quality material. They are covered by a warranty. Understand the terms of your stove’s warranty before completing your purchase.

Pellet stoves

Pellet stoves are similar to wood stoves, except they can also burn sawdust, waste paper, wood chips, bark and other organic materials ground into a pellet. Some stoves may also burn corn and walnut shells.

The Environmental Protection Agency have found these stoves to be the cleanest solid-fuel burning appliances. They are often suitable for apartments and condominiums. These stoves are also exempt from EPA emissions standards.

Freestanding and fireplace inserts are two types of pellet burning stoves. All of them have a feeder attachment and hopper to feed pellets into the stove. Modern pellet stoves have thermostats and sensors to regulate the speed the pellets go into the stove. It is a way to control the heat output and regulate the temperature.

Stoves and pellets are easy to find, due to their popularity. Manufacturers provide schedules for product maintenance, which will make your stove more efficient.

Purchase a pellet stove based on the size of the home or room it needs to heat, its efficiency rating and design.

Wood and pellet stoves are efficient and cost-effective sources for heat. It is highly recommend that a professional install your stove.

While a stove is expensive at first, you will soon recover the costs by the money you save on utility bills. And you will continue to save for many years in the future.

There is nothing like an open outdoor fire for warmth, light and provides a relaxing setting for conversation and social gatherings.

Firepits have transformed the concept of backyard entertainment. A firepit not only adds value to the home but makes the backyard an inviting place to spend a summer evening or a chilly fall night.

Firepits can be found at many fireplace retailers as well as online sellers like Woodstoves-Fireplaces.com where you can get professional help in determining exactly what you need..

Part of your decision making will be whether you want a permanent or portable fire pit. If you are changing much of your backyard and landscape, permanent. Permanent fire pits are often made of stone or brick and are usually very durable. They can be easily incorporated into the landscape creating a professional look. Permanent fire pits can be safer as they are not easily knocked over,

On the other hand, portable fire pits can easily be moved around the yard and they are generally less expensive than built in firepits. Portable fire pits are generally made of powder coated high temperature paint. Better quality portable fire pits will last longer when subjected to the outdoor elements.

You will also have to choose the fuel source, Wood is quite common but gas is quickly growing in popularity. Obviously gas is the easiest, just light it and let it roar. Wood being a little more difficult as you have to obtain the wood, haul it to the fire pit area and periodically stoke the fire. Gas fire pits are available for both Natural Gas and Propane Gas.

There are many shapes and sizes available for burning either wood or gas.

When you are shopping for a new fireplace for your home, you will be presented with many different types and styles. One type available is a direct vent fireplace which uses natural or propane gas to create heat and flames. This type of fireplace is ideal for homes which have a limited amount of interior space where a wood burning fireplace would not fit. Instead of requiring and extensive chimney system, gas fireplaces use a direct vent along an exterior wall of your home.

A Direct Vent Fireplace Uses a Single Vent to Draw Air in and for Exhaust

Unlike a traditional wood burning fireplace which uses a chimney, a direct vent fireplace uses this vent system instead. A single vent (pipe within a pipe) draws air into the fireplace as well as removes the harmful fumes given off by a gas fire. You will find a selection of energy efficient gas fireplaces with direct vents, for you home when you visit us here at Copperfield Chimney Supply.

A stainless steel chimney liner provides an enclosed space for smoke and other fumes from a fire to be exhausted to the outside of your home. Many older homes with brick chimneys often did not include a liner. Without a liner, soot, creosote and other deposits can quickly build up, which requires more frequent cleanings. By adding an insulated liner, you will cut down the speed at which deposits build up, while also creating a better draft.

Deciding Between a Rigid and a Flexible Stainless Steel Chimney Liner

When you are installing a stainless steel chimney liner, like those available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, you need to decide between rigid and flexible styles. Rigid styles are ideal when you only have one story to run the chimney and have no corners to go around. Flexible liners are better suited when lining the chimney for two or more stories or when you have corners to navigate the liner around.

When you hear someone talking about a direct vent fireplace, like the models available on our website here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, you should know that they are referring to a particular style of gas fireplace. This type of gas fireplace does not require a chimney for venting out the harmful gases left over in the air after burning. Instead, you use a direct vent, which is connected to the fireplace unit which draws fresh air in from the outdoors, while removing the unwanted air.

Always Make Sure Venting for Your Direct Vent Fireplace is Properly Installed

Without the direct vent properly installed to your direct vent fireplace , the air given off from the fireplace is released into the home and creates a hazardous situation. It is important to make sure that your fireplace is properly vented to keep fresh air being drawn into the home, whenever you are using your gas fireplace. It is normal to have a slight gas smell when first starting your gas fireplace, but it should quickly subside. If you notice the smell becoming stronger, you should shut off your fireplace immediately and have the venting inspected before using the fireplace again.

1.9 percent of US households still use wood for their heating needs as opposed to electricity or utility gas, according to a report by the US Census Bureau . Many people still rely on wood not only since it's usually cheaper than the other alternatives but also since it is better for the environment . While woodburning stoves are mostly installed in the living room or kitchen, you can find them anywhere in a home including in a bedroom, home office, or even your mancave. If you are lucky enough to have a mancave, adding a woodburning stove is a surefire way to make it so much better than it already is, especially if you live in an area that gets cold from time to time. However, being an addition that could potentially be dangerous, you must be careful to ensure that you install it correctly.

Choosing an ideal spot for your woodstove

You must make the decision of where you're going to be putting your stove in your mancave long before going out to buy one . Since a wood stove is a space heater, you want to have it installed in a central position where it can heat every corner of your mancave. To maximize its efficiency, pick a spot with good insulation so that the heat from the woodstove is not lost through windows or walls. You also want to install it in a spot where it won't cause your TV, gaming console, or other electrical appliances in your mancave to overheat. Keep in mind that your woodstove will require a chimney, which ideally should be vertical and with as few bends as possible.

Make it multifunctional

One of the things that people love most about mancaves is that they give you a safe spot where you can hide away from the rest of the world and be alone for as long as you want. To further cement this feeling in your mancave, you can choose a woodstove that allows you to cook on it. There are various wood stove options that are specifically designed to allow people to cook while still performing their primary function of heating, but any with a flat surface on top that's large enough to hold a cooking pot will do. This addition can transform your mancave from a place you hang out in from time to time to a prepper's dream space where you can live, eat, have fun, and stay warm for as long as you need to, even when there are power outages.

Choosing a wood stove

After identifying an ideal spot in your mancave to install your woodstove, the next step is to choose one. Modern wood stoves come in various sizes, designs, and finishes and not all of them will be a good fit for your mancave. The first thing to consider is the size of your woodstove which will depend on how much space you have in your mancave and your heating needs. You want a stove that is big enough to meet your heating needs but not too big that it makes your mancave uncomfortably warm or takes up too much room. Another thing to consider is the stove's clearance rating, which is the minimum distance you should maintain between the stove and nearby walls, furniture, and appliances. You must also consider the design of the woodstove and how it fits in with the overall design or theme of your mancave . Whatever you end up choosing, make sure that it is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

A woodstove could be the thing that is missing in your mancave to take it to the next level. Not only will it make your mancave warm and cozy but it can also add to the aesthetic appeal and make it feel more homely. But, to be on the safe side, make sure your installation is done by certified professionals who'll follow safety guidelines to the letter.