Wood Burning Stove - is it worth having

[5030]

I am looking to add a wood burning stove to my home for backup heat. I saw one today that was a Lopi brand Leyden model that was very nice but was a bit pricey. They wanted $2600 just for the stove and another $1300 for materials to build the venting.

The reason I looked at this brand is because it can vent straight out the back (out the wall). I don't want to penetrate my metal roof.

Can anyone give me advice on what to get and if the price for the venting is reasonable?

If it was me, I'd go with a multi-fuel (corn/pellet) stove. You can direct vent out the back and they are really efficient compared to a wood stove. Wood stoves mught be 35% efficient while multi-fuel stoves are 70 or better.

 

[Chilly807]

What is the best species of firewood you can readily obtain in your area?
For my area, it is hickory, followed by various oaks. I'd be interested in your answer, and anyone else who would care to comment as well.

Here I'd say it's hard maple, then yellow birch. We have some beech, ash, and oak, but more maple and birch.

White birch is probably the worst hardwood, or poplar.

We have larch too, here it's called juniper or hatmatack. One of the hardest softwoods, and good burning wood too.

Sean

 

[Johnp33]

I worked for years at Freightliner and when they ship trucks they use Oak blocks and beams. I left 3.5 years ago but still have some left for blocking and fire wood.

 

[lumberbean]

I haven't read all the replies but I would say yes, a wood stove is worth having. My wife and I recently bought one and had it installed to help curb the cost of our oil bill. We've only had it a couple of weeks but I'm really enjoying it.

As others said, a wood pellet stove is another really good option. My brother has one and it cranks out the heat. Easy to use and efficient.

One thing to say about wood, it is a workout. Cutting down a tree, buckling the wood, and splitting it can wear you out. The trick is, don't try to do it all in one day. I found a really good fiskar axe on amazon that's helped a lot.

 

[EE_Bota]

If it was me, I'd go with a multi-fuel (corn/pellet) stove. You can direct vent out the back and they are really efficient compared to a wood stove. Wood stoves mught be 35% efficient while multi-fuel stoves are 70 or better.

Don't know much about pellet stoves, only a little. But modern wood stoves get 70% efficiency or better typically. I am talking about EPA rated models, with either secondary air tubes or catalyst.

The brand wood stove I bought has a wood buring model and a pellet model of the same name...and here is a look at their relative efficiencies:

Wood 81% no electricity
Stove Details | Hearthstone Stoves

Pellet 86%eff requires electricity
Pellet Stove Details | Hearthstone Stoves

Electricity...4 amps at 120 V, but no power factor listed. So guess 480 w * .9 pf = 432watts

.432 kW * 24hr *.1 $/kwh = 1.03 $ per day elect cost.... but my gut says less.


Edit....we have all seen these lists...but this is one of the more comprehensive lists I have seen....

http://chimneysweeponline.com/howood.htm

 

[txdon]

I finally ran across a friend who said her husband did not want a wood burning stove in their new house when they built it in the 60s. Her husband's quote according to her: "I've shoveled enough ashes in my lifetime I don't want to shovel any more." She is 90.

 

[lockhaven]

I use mostly oak and hickory I like oak better then hickory because hickory leaves a fluffy ash. As far as pellets go If you do not have your own wood and can buy them directly from the manufacture they would be better. What ever fuel is local and cheap is always the best choice.

 

[EE_Bota]

I use mostly oak and hickory I like oak better then hickory because hickory leaves a fluffy ash. As far as pellets go If you do not have your own wood and can buy them directly from the manufacture they would be better. What ever fuel is local and cheap is always the best choice.

:thumbsup:

Nothing worse than a stove just lookin at ya like you forgot something.

 

[5030]

I worked for years at Freightliner and when they ship trucks they use Oak blocks and beams. I left 3.5 years ago but still have some left for blocking and fire wood.

Since they got bought out by Diamler, they probably switched to balsa. The trucks sure got cheapened up....

 

[tbutman]

As long as you have access to wood on your property and have the ability to be around home some during the day then ABSOLUTELY you should have a wood stove/furnace. we only use oil to heat water with and I'm about ready to do something about that. Loooove the wood heat, Always had it, Always Will!! 0 degrees outside and house is a balmy 80 degrees and I feel no guilt or concern (at all) when the blower fan kicks on. I have been getting in our winter fuel (approx. 20 cord) wood now for over 30 years and this year I really invested in it by having a firewood processor built. This ISN'T a commercial venture it's for HOME USE ONLY! Should last a life time and then some. But yeah to answer your question. Yea it's WELL worth it.