How To

How to Heat With Wood

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

There is nothing like the heat from a wood fire to warm the body on a frosty winter night. Heating with wood can help cut your home heating costs if you have access to an abundant supply of wood. Wood fires are a renewable energy that have been used for centuries. There are some tricks, tips and safety issues, so review the steps below to turn up the heat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Wood stove or fireplace
  • Wood or wood pellets
  • Packaged fire starter or crumpled newspaper
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Chimney brush and chimney cleaning granules
  • Personal protective equipment
  1. Step 1

    Install a new stove or use an existing stove or fireplace to heat with wood. Check local building codes or hire a professional installer if you install a new wood heater.

  2. Step 2

    Find a source of free or inexpensive wood suitable for your stove. Watch classifieds or ask a nearby public land administration office if it allows woodcutting.

  3. Step 3

    Cut or buy wood the correct length for your stove. Bring it home, split and stack near the door closest to your wood stove or fireplace. Use a small storage shed, covered patio or carport to keep the wood dry or cover it with various materials such as tarps and plywood.

  4. Step 4

    Season the wood until it is dry, start a fire and enjoy your "earth-friendly" source of energy. Packaged fire starter, crumpled newspaper or small wood chips come in handy for starting fires.

  5. Step 5

    Keep your chimney clean. Have a chimney sweep do a professional cleaning at least once a year. Buy packages of chimney cleaning granules to burn with your wood periodically to help keep the chimney clean while safely heating with wood.

Tips & Warnings
  • Ensure that your wood stove or fireplace is installed safely. Check clearances from the wall and other flammable materials. This will vary depending on the construction of the stove.
  • Place the chimney for a wood stove inside the house, near the peak of the roof but 2 feet higher to avoid down-draft problems. You will have trouble starting a fire and see smoke blow in the house if the chimney is not tall enough. Get professional help to install a chimney.
  • Be careful with axes, chainsaws and other sharp implements when cutting wood. Follow all safety rules that come with the tools and wear personal protective equipment--gloves, goggles and steel-toed shoes.
  • Never use gasoline as a fire-starter--it can be explosive.
  • Use care if you clean your own chimney. Follow safety rules for ladders and tie yourself off with a full-body safety harness before approaching the edge of a roof.
  • A chimney fire can start if your chimney is not kept clean. Keep a class A fire extinguisher near the wood stove or fireplace.
  • Install a smoke alarm in the room with the wood heater and service it regularly.
  • Keep combustibles, such as newspaper and extra wood, a safe distance from the wood heater. Cover openings with a screen when you leave them unattended for any length of time.

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