Installation & Maintenance of
Wood Burning Appliances and Chimneys
Proper installation of a wood burning appliance is not a trivial task – without proper precautions you and your family's health and safety could be at risk. If you are not confident in your own skills, this could be a job for a professional.
Only EPA rated wood burning appliances should be used for wood heating. They burn firewood 90% cleaner and are at least 1/3 more efficient than older wood stoves. The added cost of the modern catalytic or non-catalytic EPA rated stove will be made up in one or two years by the reduction in firewood burned.
The following links provide excellent guidance on buying, installing and maintaining a wood burning appliance in your home.
- Hearth.com
http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/installing_a_woodstove - Colorado State University http://nasdonline.org/document/333/d000132/proper-installation-operation-and-maintenance-of-a-wood.html
- University of New Hampshire http://extension.unh.edu/Heating-Wood/Buying-Installing-and-Maintaining-Woodstove
- Chimney Safety Institute of America http://www.csia.org/
It is also important to check with local ordinances for possible restrictions and/or permits required, and to don't forget to check with your insurance agent. Many home insurance policies have restrictions on wood burning appliances and all have higher rates for structures heated by wood.
Learn more about
- Chainsaw Safety
- Handling and Hauling Wood Safely
- Proper installation of stoves and chimneys
- Drying and Storing Firewood Safely
- Health Concerns with Wood Heating
Also see:
- On-line heat cost calculator
Compare the costs of different fuels - Home Heating applications
Learn how to heat your home most effectively - Wood availability by region
Learn what species are available to you, and what they may cost