Woodburner may be attractive heating option
With the winter upon us, many people in our area are perhaps thinking about installing a wood burning stove to heat their home. There are a few simple things to consider before lighting the stove for the first time.
"The main thing to do when someone buys a new wood burner is to read the instruction manual," Fred Duggins, owner of Harrisburg Supply and Fireplace in Harrisburg said. Duggins went on to explain that all new stoves should be Underwriters Laboratory approved and one should also contact the insurance company one uses.
"The insurance company will probably tell you to use a certified installer to put it all in," Duggins stated. "They may also want to put a rider on your policy to cover the stove."
Duggins explained that the instruction manual for all new stoves specify the distances and spacing from walls and for the chimney that the stove requires for safe use. Minimum safe distance from wall and the required fireproof floor protector in front of the stove are clearly spelled out in the manuals. Duggins said that any used stove was required to have 36 inches of space from walls. New stoves have an 18 inch distance requirements.
"There are just some basic common things that go into using a wood burner," Duggins said.
On the topic of chimneys, Duggins had a clear opinion.
"Chimneys are not a science, they are an art and every one is different," Duggins said with a chuckle.
Again, like the spacing and protection of the stove, chimneys have unambiguous safety requirements, clearly explained in the manuals. Duggins spoke about a few of the most basic safety features of a properly installed chimney. He explained that a liner or tube connecting the chimney to the stove and extending the interior length of the chimney was crucial. Duggins said that the liner's purpose is to make sure any buildups of creosote, (a flammable byproduct of wood burning) that forms in the chimney and catches fire falls safely into the body of the stove.
Care must also be taken in the exterior part of the chimney to make sure the top of the chimney is not blocked from a wind or breeze blowing across it, so as to allow the fire to burn smoothly and the chimney to draw properly.
"And you must clean the chimney at least once a year," Duggins added. "You must do that."
On the subject of fuel for the wood burner, Duggins stated that ash or hickory were his personal choices, but any wood used must be split and have been allowed to season and dry for at least one year. Duggins stated that a good way to season the wood was to stack it with the top layer protected from rain or snow, but allowing the sides to have access to the air to allow the wood to season properly.
Harrisburg Supply and Fireplace carries Buck Stoves and has models and a full line of chimney parts for any wood burning stove project and is certified to install stoves and chimneys. When asked about dangerous winter heating ideas that he had encountered, Duggins chuckled and told of one recent situation.
"A man had no heat from one of the vents in his house," Duggins said. "The pipe had come loose. He ran a new pipe from the exhaust vent of his gas furnace, right into the vent. This brought all the exhaust fumes and carbon dioxide right into the house. Not a good situation."
Duggins stated that the low cost of wood and its availability, coupled with the efficiency of new stoves made a wood burning stove a very attractive option for home heating needs.