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Cheap Heat From Wood Burning Stoves
By Martin Blacksheep
For most people there's that certain something that a real wood burning stove gives to a room. Maybe its the scent of burning wood or the beauty of the flickering flames. Whatever the secret is there's no doubt that a wood stove can give a house that extra welcoming feeling. With the advances in technology today's wood stoves are more efficient and produce less smoke than ever before.
A wood stove is the most popular, flexible and economical wood heating option there is. Traditionally woodstoves were to only to be found in cabins and chalets. These days the large range and variety of styles means it's easy to find a wood stove that will match the décor of your home.
A free standing wood burning stove can be used for heating and cooking and some people buy their stove with cooking in mind as well as for heating. You can find many great stoves that will give you the best of both worlds and a kitchen with a stove will always be a warm and welcoming place.
It's important to remember that a wood stove can produce a lot of heat. Position it where you will need the heat the most. It may be a good idea if possible to locate the stove in a position near the center of the house. This ensures heat is distributed evenly to all parts of the building. Of course many people chose to put their stove in an existing fireplace setting. Where ever your stove is going to be remember that you should consider how the stove chimney is to be routed. There may well be local building regulations to consider.
The efficiency of a wood burning stove varies with the method of stove construction. It really depends on how well the stove burns wood and converts it into heat and how much heat escapes via the chimney. No wood burning stove will ever completely burn all the wood. The smoke produced is composed of partially burnt wood particles. There are some things you can do to make your stove more efficient. Always get your chimney swept as a first measure. If you are getting more smoke than wood burnt then perhaps you can change the size of the stove opening or reconfigure the fire chamber of your stove. A lot can be achieved simply by repositioning the fire basket, which is the metal work that holds the burning logs. This can have a beneficial effect on air circulation and leads to greater heat efficiency.
The most common design of stove is tall and cylindrical in shape. Often there is a built-in wood storage area under the burning chamber. Materials used can range from stainless steel and soapstone to ceramics. Designs range from something that your great grandparents would have felt comfortable using to ultra sleek stainless steel modern stoves. It's worth considering a stoves safety features such as ventilation and correct grating and screening systems. If you have small children around you should remember that a locking mechanism might be a good idea.
A wood burning stove is a great alternative to heat from electric or gas. They run on a renewable resource, wood is inexpensive, easy to find, and can be replenished, unlike many other fuels. All in all wood stoves are a great alternative to more common heating methods. With the right stove it can even be more cost effective. Make sure you shop around and get professional advice and installation. These days no matter what you are looking for in a wood burning stove there is bound to be a design that will suit your needs perfectly. There is nothing better than the comforting glow of a real wood burning stove on a cold winter night.
About the Author
For lots more advice, information, news and product reviews about wood stoves visit the Wood Burning Stove site.
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| Some other articles by Martin Blacksheep | |
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