Burning questions about heating with wood
Via: Cleveland.com
Q. What are the most important considerations?
A. Know the square-footage of your home, or the room to be heated, to get the right size unit for that space. Buy the highest quality that you can afford, and have the unit installed by a professional who knows the system and can make sure the clearances are correct, the chimney system is proper, and the installation is in accordance with the owner’s manual.
Q. Wood-burning stoves are commonly made from cast-iron, welded steel, soapstone or porcelain. Is there an efficiency and/or price difference among the materials?
A. Steel stoves are typically least expensive, and heat is released from steel quicker, so it cools down more quickly.
A cast-iron stove is the next step up in price. It releases heat more slowly, which means it stays warm longer.
Soapstone is usually the most expensive. The material releases heat slower than cast-iron.
Porcelain stoves are cast iron with a colored porcelain finish.
Q. What’s the price range of wood-burning stoves, and what do you get for the least and most expensive?
A. The least expensive start at about $800 and are small, heating less than 1,000 square feet.
