The Pros And Cons Of A Woodstove As A Source Of Residential Heat

When you think of residential heating, you probably think of an electrical or gas furnace that pumps heat throughout the building. These are extremely popular and found in most homes. However, there is also another choice for heating that you can go with: woodstoves. It may sound like an outdated choice, but woodstoves are widely used by people who live in colder climates. They are usually found in the properties of people who live in rural areas. This guide goes over some advantages and disadvantages of choosing a woodstove as your source of heat.

Advantages

The following are a list of advantages of using a woodstove.

• Cost

When compared to electric or gas heat, wood heat is a lot cheaper. You can purchase loads of wood for the stove by the truckload. The cost of this depends on the area, but it is usually lower than the average heating bill with other heat sources. If you own your own property with a wooded area or know someone who does, you can chop your own wood for no cost at all. Your heating bill is literally nothing in this case.

• Renewable

The fuel for woodstoves is wood so it is considered a renewable fuel. Other types of heating can not make the same claim. This type of heat is better for the environment—even more so if you replace the trees you chop down with new ones.

Disadvantages

Now that you know some advantages, this is a list of disadvantages associating with woodstoves.

• Installation

The installation for wood heat can be difficult depending on the building. Stoves that are placed indoors must have a chimney installed before the stove can be used. It has to be properly installed or the wood smoke will not be transported outside and will fill the interior of the home. Woodstoves that are installed outside need to have vents constructed between the stove and into the house so the heat can travel indoors.

• Maintenance

For first time users, it can be difficult to handle the maintenance that is required for the woodstove. You need to learn how to clean the chimney at least twice a year or risk a chimney fire. You also need to know how to empty the ash tray when it gets full. This can be a messy and dirty job until you get the hang of it.

Conclusion

Overall, woodstoves are a great choice if you want a cheap option for heat. You can speak with local heating companies that sell woodstoves and find the right model for your property.