Installing a wood burning stove is a great way to save money on heating costs. After the winter season, in many people are a little shocked to see their gas bills. At least they can take action by getting a wood burning stove and take advantage of a renewable resource. Believe it or not, you can make a significant dent in your gas usage in the winter months. But before you commit to buying one, there are a few things you should think about.

Where you will install it?

Ideally, wood burning stoves belong in the section of the house where you spend the most time. It is wise to think about the location before you even start thinking about the type of stove you will get. The stove cannot be used without a chimney, so if you already have one you have no problems. If you need to install a chimney, you will have to find a suitable spot for the structure.

Insulation

Wood stoves perform best in rooms with adequate insulation. This will keep the heat inside, so you don’t have to keep adding more wood to the fire to maintain heat levels.

Protecting furniture and floors

Due to the amount of heat these stoves can produce you must be careful about have combustible materials nearby. Furniture will have to be kept a safe distance, and wood floors must be protected. If you want some clarity on this, find out the stove’s clearance rating. This will tell you whether it is suitable for your home.

What size do you need?

If you will be using the stove in a small room you don’t need to get a large one. Even a relatively small fire can produce a lot of heat in a small room. If you have any doubts, get advice from a professional before buying one of these stoves.

If you are going to use a wood stove, your chimney must be well maintained to keep smoke from coming into the home. With some installations, the stove is connected to the chimney with a length of stovepipe. It is important that you do not rely on the stovepipe alone to remove smoke from the home.

To get the most from your wood stove, treat it like you would your fireplace. Use seasoned, or properly dried wood for your fires. After using it, clean out the ash when it has cooled. Contact us at Lou Curley Chimney Services at 610-626-2439 to inspect and maintain the chimney for your wood burning stove. We will give you the kind of service you need to get efficient heating that lowers your fuel bill each year.