| As the winter months creep in, so does the cold | | | | stove. Not only should the stove be installed in a |
| and dampness. You cringe at the thought of your | | | | room where the family spends most of their |
| home heating bill rising as you pull out your | | | | time, there should also be paths, or openings for |
| collection of warm sweaters and socks. So how | | | | the heat to flow to other parts of the house. |
| can you escape this reoccurring drain on your | | | | Warm air can also be circulated by means of |
| pocketbook? | | | | ceiling fans. |
| If you have the luxury of owning a home, and | | | | Choose from cats or non-cats: |
| have the ability, and room, to renovate by adding | | | | There are two types of wood stoves - a cat and |
| a wood stove, you may soon be laughing when | | | | a non-cat, both referring to the use (or not) of a |
| the mailman arrives with your monthly recap | | | | catalytic combustor. The technicalities of these |
| from the electric company (or oil giant). | | | | two products can be explained fully by your local |
| Stoves have come a long way in the last few | | | | stove retailer, but in short, both help your stove |
| decades, particularly since 1990, when the United | | | | burn clean and efficiently. |
| States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | Safety with wood stoves: |
| required stove manufacturers to adhere to strict | | | | From the moment you bring your wood stove |
| particle emissions standards. Now, all wood stoves | | | | into your home, safety should always be a key |
| must be EPA-certified, which means they are | | | | consideration. Here are a few tips: |
| environmentally friendly, as well as being stylish | | | | 1. Have a professional install the unit |
| and practical. The EPA-approved stove is so | | | | 2. Do not install the stove in a confined space. |
| efficient that is uses approximately 65 percent | | | | 3. Ensure proper clearance from any combustible |
| less wood than a non-EPA model the same size, | | | | materials, including magazines and newspapers, |
| yet still produces the same amount of heat. | | | | drapes, furniture and wood flooring. |
| There are several styles of wood stoves on the | | | | 4. Inspect your stove, or have a professional do |
| market. Consumers can choose from natural cast | | | | it, twice a year. Look for signs of creosote or |
| iron or plate steel, or they can have painted or | | | | warping of the unit. |
| enamel-coated finishes that match the home's | | | | 5. Only burn fuel that was designed for your |
| decor. | | | | stove. Burning trash in your wood stove has the |
| Good placement equals great flow: | | | | potential to start a chimney fire. |
| Sizes and capacity vary, but some wood stoves | | | | 6. If you have a catalytic combustor model, |
| can generate enough heat to warm | | | | burning driftwood, artificial logs or anything |
| approximately 2,200 square feet of living space. | | | | containing plastic will damage the unit. |
| While houses with an open concept design are | | | | 7. For any questions about the safety of your |
| easier to heat with one wood stove, multiple | | | | wood stove, contact the retailer, a chimney |
| rooms can also be warmed by this age-old | | | | sweep company or your local fire department. |
| source. The secret is good placement of the | | | | |