Is Wood Heat Right For You?

Not every homeowner wants to rely on a traditional furnace. Depending on where one lives in the United States, your primary heating fuel source may be oil, electricity, natural gas, or propane. None of these are cheap, and the companies that provide them can decide at any time to raise the prices. There are other options, such as geothermal heating or solar energy, but these technologies can be pricey. One option that is both affordable, reliable, and allows you to control how much you spend and when is wood heat. Here is a look at the different methods and benefits:

What Are The Advantages Of Heating With Wood?"

Wood is a natural, sustainable resource. This renewable fuel is widely available in many parts of the United States, Choosing to use wood heat also tends to keep money in your community, going to the logging companies rather than big oil conglomerates or electric companies. If you have your own land, you can cut and split your own, saving even more money by harvesting your own wood directly. With wood, you don't need to worry about a power outage, like you do with electricity. With wood, you don't need to worry about the fuel oil or propane tank running out in the dead of winter and being forced to pay a premium because demand is high. With wood, you don't have to worry about the monthly bill from the gas company. With wood, you can have a warm and cozy home rather than keeping the thermostat set too low to save money.

What Are The Wood Heating Options?

A traditional wood stove is the way most people go. This is usually the least expensive option, and the stove is usually a focal point in the main living area of the home. This way it heats the main floor, where the family tends to centrally locate. And because kitchen chores generate their own heat the entire house stays toasty. Additionally, if your home has bedrooms on an upper level because heat rises, you can obtain a comfortable yet cooler sleeping temperature without additional extensive HVAC vents.

If you want a more consistent, stable temperature throughout your home, an outdoor wood pellet stove is the perfect option for you. An HVAC professional can set you up with a system that is tailored to meet the needs of your home's square footage and layout, ensuring venting goes to each room. And because the stove is outdoors, there is less mess and less work as the hopper is much larger. Many outdoor wood stoves only need to be filled once a day. The pellets are typically made from compacted waste materials, such as sawdust, a good way of recycling.

Contact a local HVAC service for more information and assistance. 


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