Best Wood Stoves- How Do You Pick The Right One?

The popularity of wood stoves has increased a lot over the last few years. This is mainly due to the increasing cost of fuel to heat the homes but they have also become extremely energy efficient because of the latest research and technology. These are considered more environment-friendly and economical. Their source of fuel, wood, is a cheap and renewable form of energy. On the other hand, choosing the best wood stoves from numerous models available requires you to do a bit of research.

Wood stoves are made up of cast iron, soapstone, welded steel, porcelain or a combination of all these materials. They are available in different shapes, sizes and designs from traditional, classic to contemporary ones. Even the refurbished fireplace inserts are high in demand and have become a viable alternative to conventional stoves. They are considered as a functional and amazing part of every home. With more and more homeowners now considering buying a wood stove for its aesthetic looks and benefits of burning wood, many are highly concerned about how well they perform. Industry experts state that there is hardly any difference; nevertheless, cast iron stoves are high on preference as they come in various designs and options to choose from. Welded steel stoves are more like cast iron, but, they require more maintenance, Soapstone stoves that come with natural stone adds more to the home décor.

Homeowners need to decide here if they will be using it as the primary heat source or a secondary source for cozy, warm nights around the fireplace. The best wood stoves are usually 30 percent more efficient today compared to most of the central heaters available today. They have longer burn times than the prior models and give lasting heat for hours. These stoves are generally categorized by the heating capacity and output which is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU’s). Most of the wooden stoves available today produced around 25,000 and 80,000 BTU’s, which is good enough for heating homes from 1000 to 2000 sq ft., depending on their insulation, age, condition and number of floors.

It is highly recommended that you check the local regulations in regards to the consumption of wood stove as they may vary from one state to another. Moreover, it is imperative to research which stove actually qualifies for the 30 percent US government tax credit. You may expect to pay from $500 to $3000 for a wood stove.