Heat Your Home with Wood this Winter?

Energy and Cost Pros and Cons of Fireplaces

As heating bills climb during the winter, many homeowners find themselves wondering what would be the most cost- and energy-efficient way to heat their home.

Though wood has been used to heat homes for over 1.4 million years and even 100 years ago 90% of American homes were heated with fire, the 20th century introduced oil, coal, propane, natural gas and electricity as the alternative until the energy crisis of the 1970s. Now as then, many homeowners are again turning to affordable wood to heat their homes.

Pros of Wood Heat

Wood heat tends to cost considerably less than other sources of heat. It will vary by region, but according to Calfinder, "Wood heat's annual costs are roughly one-third the amount of oil and electric heat, one-fourth that of propane, half the cost of natural gas, and about $150 cheaper than coal."

Even though the smoke from wood heat is considered a source of pollution, wood is a renewable resource. The carbon dioxide created from the smoke is absorbed by other trees to aid in photosynthesis. As long as your fireplace is properly maintained, the toxins released into the air should be minimal.

Using wood to heat your home also helps support the local economy. Instead of paying big corporations for your heating needs, you will likely pay local businesses to supply your wood. If you're resourceful, you can often find people who are trying to discard of their firewood, making it even more cost effective. Another great thing about wood heat is that it is "off the grid.' If the power fails and your other heating systems break down, a fire can continue to heat your home.

Cons of Wood Heat

Using wood heat to warm your home can be cheaper than most methods, but many homeowners may be discouraged by the initially high cost of installing a fireplace or wood stove. Also, your property needs to be large enough to have room to store the wood you will use. The ash created by burning wood also needs to be disposed of properly.

Many of the other proposed negatives of using wood heat can be solved by properly maintaining your fireplace or wood stove. Your home will be at greater risk for fires if your fireplace isn't cleaned regularly and if you keep combustibles nearby.

Many are concerned that burning wood can release hazardous gases into the environment. To avoid this, it is important to be sure that your fireplace meets your local or federal air quality standards.

Maintaining Your Wood Burning Fireplace

The Do-It-Yourself Network provides some great tips for maintaining your fireplace. These tips include:

1. Be sure to have your fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.
2. Between professional cleanings, check the inside of your fireplace and chimney regularly to check for creosote and soot buildup.
3. Try to burn only hardwoods that burn at a hotter temperature and for a longer time. These woods include maple, oak, and ash and also tend to be cleaner than other types of wood.
4. Consider installing heatproof glass in the fireplace door to increase the efficiency of your fire.
5. Regularly clean the ash from your fireplace. Be sure to wear a dust mask when doing so.

Wood heat can be messy and dangerous, but if you have your fireplace properly maintained and inspected, it can save you big bucks in the long run. Plus, you get the added benefit of the great ambiance and scent provided by a crackling fire.