It’s not really a new topic, but some might say it’s a hot one right now. Interest in wood-burning (both in traditional and pellet forms) heating appliances is growing once again as heating oil prices remain high. While wood- and pellet-burning stoves and inserts require up front costs and cannot be used as a sole heating source in some instances, the savings are substantial and allow consumers to cut their overall energy usage and costs. The service pros at Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney urge you to continue reading to see why adding one to your home could be a huge money saver in terms of your future heating costs.
Woodstoves and Fireplace Inserts
The increased efficiency of wood-burning inserts makes them a great alternative heating system for your home. New inserts can heat a room three times longer, with the same number of logs, than a traditional fireplace. The reason for this is that traditional fireplaces have open hearths that draw heated air into the fire, which causes it to burn faster at a much lower temperature. In contrast, fireplace inserts have an airtight, sealed door, which allows the wood to burn slower and at a much hotter temperature. The overall efficiency ratings of fireplace inserts ranges anywhere from 65-80% depending on the age and type of the insert, thereby making them an affordable way to heat your home during the winter.
Fireplace inserts can reduce your heating bills further because they also provide more insulation for your home and solve downdraft problems with which traditional fireplaces struggle. When your fireplace insert is installed, insulation is installed around it, which allows less heat to escape during winter and keeps cool air in during summer. The sealed glass doors also prevent cold wind that blows down your chimney from entering your home. Even when not in use, your fireplace insert will lower the cost of heating and cooling your home.
Pellet Stove and Inserts
In colder climates, heating costs account for approximately one-third of a homeowner’s annual utility bill, which is why many are seeking thriftier ways to stay warm and toasty. Freestanding pellet stoves and inserts that fit inside an existing fireplace are an increasingly popular solution for homeowners. Pellet stoves create a tiny fraction of the ash produced by an older wood-burning stove or fireplace, so cleaning s much less frequent. If used daily, you’d probably find yourself emptying the ashpan once a week.
Pellet stoves and inserts look like traditional woodstoves but operate more like a modern furnace. You need only fill the stove’s hopper with pellets made from compacted sawdust, set its thermostat, sit back, and get cozy. A mechanical auger deposits the pellets into a burn pot, where they are incinerated at such a high temperature that they create no vent-clogging creosote and very little ash or emissions, which keeps both indoor and outdoor air cleaner. The best part is that they are about twice as efficient at warming your home as older woodstoves that have not been certified by the EPA and are vastly more efficient than traditional fireplaces.
Wood-burning heating appliances are a great way to heat your home. They provide the beauty of a traditional fireplace, with the added energy efficiency advantages. With the fluctuating costs of home heating oil, a new wood-burning stove or insert might very well pay for itself in a few short winters. Depending on the particular model or style of the unit you select, you could own a unit and the wood to heat your home for the winter for less than half the price of heating oil. No matter which option you choose, we have your service needs covered. We look forward to helping you keep your family and your home protected and warm for the long haul! Give us a call or stop by our showroom today.