If you own a wood burning stove, you know how great it feels to sit in front of a crackling fire. It’s a great alternative if you love the ambiance of a fire but don’t have a fireplace. Not only that, it can be a great alternate source of heat and a money saving device. This is especially true if you have rooms that you use more often than others. However, it may be time to take a hard look at your current stove and determine if it’s time to get an upgrade!
Smoke Emission
If your wood burning stove is over twenty years old, you definitely need to be looking for a new stove. Things have changed in the wood burning stove department. Today’s stoves are much cleaner and more efficient than the older models. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, modern stoves produce almost no smoke and little ash. “While older stoves release 15 to 30 grams of smoke per hour, new EPA-certified stoves produce no more than 4.5 grams per hour.” This level of 4.5 grams per hour is within the newest EPA mandatory smoke emissions limit for wood stoves.
Cost Efficient
When people used to think of wood burning stoves, one thought was of money floating out the window on wafts of smoke. Today’s stove are so much more energy efficient that they can actually save you money! In fact, the new models of wood stoves are up to 80% efficient. In addition, depending on how you use them, cut your heating bill in half. Wood stoves aren’t meant to heat an entire floor of small rooms connected by halls. However, when used to supplement your regular heat, they can save you money.
Convenient Placement
Wood stoves can also be put in many places! You can put them just about anywhere and they’ll warm the entire room.
Catalytic vs. Non-Catalytic
There are two different types of wood stoves which are effective in making sure your stove meets the EPA smoke emission limits: catalytic and non-catalytic. If you choose the non-catalytic type, these stoves won’t have a catalyst. Instead, they have internal characteristics that work together to form a good place for complete combustion: firebox insulation, a large baffle, and pre-heated combustion air. One thing to be aware of? The need to replace some of these parts from time to time. This is because of the high heat of efficient combustion. Catalytic stoves produce long, even heat output; the smoke gases and particles ignite and burn in a coated ceramic honeycomb inside the stove.
Old Dominion
Old Dominion Chimneys carries a wide range of wood stoves that are designed to meet whatever vision you have for your home. You can also count on the employees at Old Dominion to properly install your wood stove. Plus, they offer good advice on upkeep and repair. Give them a call today!
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