6 Reasons Wood Stove Sales Are Taking Off

Why are wood burning stoves selling like crazy? Most assume it’s the sustainability factor of energy-efficient stoves. But there’s more to the new surge of interest in them than that. Yes, biomass stoves offer an efficient way to produce heat, but they also look great, are affordable, and come in a huge variety of styles. Consumers can select dozens of additional features like temperature control, slow cooldown mode, smoke-free operation, and more. If you’re on the fence about investing in a wood stove, consider the following points before making a final decision.

benefits of wood burning stoves

1. They’re Efficient

Like so many other forms of biomass energy generation, wood burning stoves are highly efficient, both in terms of heat production and cost. For homeowners who are accustomed to relying on electricity for heating their homes, the pleasant surprise is that it costs less to produce the same amount of heat from a wood-burning stove. That holds true whether the fuel is wood you collect yourself, bundles purchased from a local store, or condensed pellets.

2. Homeowners Can Borrow to Pay for the Project

While most single units are competitively priced, many homeowners decide to install several stoves in their living spaces, sometimes one in each large room. But even those who opt for just one unit can do themselves a favor by paying for the environmental upgrade with a personal loan. It’s true that some dealers offer financing, but in nearly every case, you can get much more competitive rates and terms by taking out a personal loan to cover the expense of purchasing a wood stove, the ultimate bioenergy household appliance, and heating source.

Consider shopping as a first step. That way, you’ll get an accurate idea about price ranges, features, and what you want to spend. Then, when applying for a loan, aim to borrow about 10% more than what you expect to spend on the stove. The strategy makes perfect sense because the final price tag will be slightly higher than you first predicted after taxes, installation, and a few extra supplies.

3. The Units Look Great

Most discussions about biomass energy focus on statistical comparisons between products like wood-based home heating units and electrical home furnace units. But too often, overlook one of the primary advantages of wood stove units: They have a unique, attractive look that improves the overall appearance of any home. Spend a few minutes exploring some of the latest models on the major sellers’ websites. It soon becomes obvious that these old-fashioned appliances add a dose of elegance and emotional warmth to rooms of any size.

4. Power Outage? No Problem

Rolling power outages, a term that is a euphemism for planned grid breakdowns, are the bane of the modern era. In places like California and elsewhere, states are cutting electricity to millions of homes because state regulators are unable to manage the demand on grids. For homeowners who have a backup source of heat, outages are a minor inconvenience. In fact, many biofuel enthusiasts prefer to use wood burning appliances as a first line of heat generation. For many others, the units serve as reliable heat in times of state mismanagement of electrical power.

5. Buyers Can Test the Units Before Buying

Manufacturers and retail merchants offer various arrangements for first-time buyers. It’s possible for homeowners to pay a small rental fee for a basic unit, use it for a few months, and decide whether they want to make it a permanent part of their household energy array. These trial periods are popular with people who have no prior experience with bioenergy devices.

6. Newer Models are Safer, More Efficient, and Cost Less

Since 2000, there has been a great deal of advancement in the science of heat conservation in biomass stoves. Not only are the latest models less costly than older versions, but they deliver much higher heating ratios per unit burned. One reason prices have come down significantly is higher production levels due to increased consumer demand. When producers build many thousands of units per year and sell them quickly, they achieve economies of scale and can cut prices.

Likewise, the many technological breakthroughs in science have contributed to the higher efficiency levels of new biomass stoves. For consumers, that means not just more competitive pricing and higher quality but a wider range of selections from sellers.

4 Tips For Keeping Your Home Energy Prices Low

Heating can be very expensive nowadays and keeping the heat contained within your home can be a challenge. You will see that energy prices manage to hike year after year and it is important to keep the heat contained in a home where there is particularly cold weather outside to assist with your overall energy costs. Read on to know more about the easy ways to keep your home energy prices at the lower end:

energy-monitor-for-home

1. Ensure efficient heating system

Modern houses normally have a good heating system and there is a lot of regulation around this to ensure that when people are buying new homes, the efficiency has been taken into consideration from the manufacturers. There are websites like myjobquote.co.uk that you can use in order to arrange local boiler engineers to come out and review your current heating systems to ensure they are effective.  They would also offer services such as a boiler power flush if it is required – again supporting the effectiveness of your appliance.

If your boiler or radiators are not working greatly then a boiler service cost quote may be required in order to make sure they get repaired and are working as well as possible. If any of your heating equipment is faulty and not working correctly then you will overcompensate in terms of the heating you put on in the home which would then significantly increase your costs.

2. Take action on drafts

If there are any potential drafts and air seeping out of the home, then it will affect the warmth of your home and ultimately your energy bill.  Be sure to take action when you recognise any of these problems.

Some common draft points will be doors and windows and are usually pretty noticeable if there is a problem. Nowadays most homes have double glazed windows and secured doors where this shouldn’t be an issue. If your house has a chimney, then this is another potential area for cold air to get in. If not in use you may wish to consider sealing this off in totality.

3. Set timers for heating

Putting the home heating on and off all the time could also be affecting your bills. Consider getting a timer where you can control the heating at intervals that suit you. Clearly, this wouldn’t be suitable all the time and if you are in the home and there is additional heat required then you can “boost” to allow more heat to come out for longer.

heating-radiator

Setting the timers will assist with being disciplined on a routine and you can know pretty accurately what it is that you will be spending every month.

4. Energy monitors

Energy monitors are becoming really popular nowadays with the users able to then see immediately how much energy they are consuming.  Most energy providers now give this service where you can get one of these appliances installed (generally for free or a very little cost).

The government is also doing a lot more to try and encourage every household to have one of these to help with the energy cost hike challenges.

Bonus Tip: Wood-based stoves offer an alternative and efficient way to produce heat. Click here to know more.