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Special Fireplaces |
With more and more people becoming aware of their environmental
surroundings, they have changed from a wood burning fireplace to
that of gas. Only a few years ago, top of the line wood stoves
were not very efficient. They produced a smoky haze, meaning that
much of the heat that should be staying indoors was literally
going up in smoke. However, over the past few years, many things
have changed.
In 1990, the United States Environmental Protection Agency put
strict emission laws into effect for the manufacturers of wood
stoves. For this reason, all wood stoves being sold today are
EPA certified, which makes them more efficient and better on the
environment. Heating your home with wood is more economical then
some might think.
When you get ready to choose a wood stove, you need to make sure
you find a stove that is EPA certified. Next, check the stoves
sticker or ask the salesperson about the amount of BTUs the stove
will burn. This is important since a common error made by many
buyers of wood stoves is that they purchase more heat than their
home can accommodate.
Often people think the best choice is the most powerful wood stove
on the showroom floor when in fact this is a potential safety hazard.
What happens is that a wood stove too large or powerful for your home
is often burned at a slow rate. While that may not seem dangerous,
this slow fire creates a buildup of creosote. As the creosote
increases, the risk of a chimney fire increases. Therefore, before
you buy a wood stove, you need to know the amount of heat required for
the room or home you will heat and the location of where you want the
wood stove installed.
With so many styles now available, you can choose a traditional look
or something more ornate. You will be able to enhance your wood stove
with your fireplace hearth, door style, and even the type of tools you
choose to display next to your stove. You will be amazed at the
difference a wood stove will add to your home.
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