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Wood Stove |
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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