How to Heat With Wood

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Resources

• Read a great guide to starting a wood fire at Wood Heat.
• Buy wood stoves, chimney pipes, fire starters and accessories at Sutherlands.