During the winter months, nothing sounds cozier than an evening in front of the fire. Even if you don’t have a fireplace, you can savor this experience by installing a wood stove. In addition to their charming glow and cracking sounds, these heating fixtures offer several advantages for the average homeowner. Use the following list of questions to learn more before you go shopping.

Common Questions About Wood Stoves

How does a wood stove work?

Similar to a traditional fireplace, you’ll need to place pieces of wood or kindling inside of this heating fixture. Once a flame is ignited, the intake vents will pull in oxygen to keep it going.

If your wood stove is certified for efficiency by the EPA, it will also feature a catalytic combustion fixture to convert the wood-burning byproducts into additional heat. Ultimately, the stove will radiate heat from its outer walls, increasing the temperature of the air around it. Emissions will escape through a chimney or ductwork.

How large of a room can they warm?

The power of your wood stove will depend on the temperature outdoors and the size of the stove itself. On average, a small model will heat rooms that are 500 to 600 square feet. A full-size wood-burning stove can heat up to 2000 square feet, which is ideal for open-plan living areas.

What are the benefits of using a wood stove?

Wood stoves are known for their affordability, as you’ll spend less on your electrical bill and natural gas consumption. Since they don’t rely on your home’s power system, they will continue to heat your home during an outage. Plus, wood stoves lend a charming, relaxing ambiance to homes that furnaces and boilers can’t hold a candle to.

How can I take care of my wood stove?

These heating fixtures are known for being long-lasting, and with proper care, they’ll continue burning for upwards of 20 years. However, there are steps you can take to keep it in pristine condition. 

Several times through the winter, the chimney needs to be cleaned out with an appropriate chimney brush to clean out the creosote that builds up on the sides of the chimney wall.  Periodic chimney cleanings will keep your wood stove running efficiently and prevent chimney fires. 

The only item you can safely burn in a wood stove is well-seasoned hardwood, such as oak, maple, and cherry. Avoid pressure-treated or painted wood, as well as any plastic or glossy paper products.

If you’re interested in adding a wood stove to your home, reach out to Ray's Heating, Plumbing, Electric of Salmon, ID. They have been guiding customers to efficient heating fixtures for 50 years. Whether you’re interested in cutting energy consumption or improving the ambiance in your living room, you can look to their team for a flawless installation. Visit the website to browse their offerings, or call (208) 756-3649 to schedule an appointment.