How to Use Wood to Heat
Heating a home with wood can be an inexpensive alternative to conventional electric and gas heat. Even homes in cities can benefit from wood heat. Unlike fossil fuels, wood heat is based on a renewable resource. Trees that supply the wood for home heating can be replaced, or the wood can be harvested from storm-felled timber. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Building permit if required
- Chimney assessment
- Measuring tape
- Fireproof foundation for stove
- Wood stove
- Stovepipe
- Chimney caulk
- Water kettle
- Coal bucket
Instructions
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Before you purchase a wood stove for heating, check local building codes. Some cities will require you to purchase a building permit and to post it clearly in the front window of your home. Once the stove is installed, it may be necessary to have a building inspector evaluate the job.
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Contact a certified chimney sweep or local contractor to inspect your chimney. A wood stove cannot share a chimney with a gas- or oil-fired furnace--this combination is very dangerous. Have the chimney cleaned or do it yourself with a chimney sweeping brush.
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Measure the area where you will be placing your stove. You will need a solid foundation under the stove that is fireproof--stone or cement slabs are best. This foundation will need to extend from the wall to at least 2 feet in front of and to the sides of the stove.
The slab must be at least 3 inches thick. This will support the weight of the stove and protect the floor.
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Place the wood stove in the center of the foundation. Fit the stovepipe into the back of the stove and fit together sections of pipe until it reaches the chimney. Push the pipe into the chimney opening. It should fit tightly. Fill any cracks with heat-safe chimney caulking. If the stove has an electric blower, plug it in.
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You will need a supply of wood. Most suppliers sell it in units called cords. A cord of wood is 4 feet wide, 4 feet high and 8 feet long. Prices vary based on demand and also on the type of wood. Soft wood, like pine, is usually cheaper than hardwoods like hickory.
Soft woods also burn faster. Pine is often used to start fires, then many users switch to hardwood for all-night heating.
Place a kettle full of water on top of the stove to help humidify the air. A coal bucket and shovel should sit beside the stove. Dump or scrape wood ashes from the ash pit into the bucket, then dispose of them outdoors.
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Tips & Warnings
Use pine shavings to start fires. The pitch in pine burns easily. Keep a box or bucket of splinters on hand to help get a fire going. Save money on electricity by using the wood stove to cook meals that do not need to be placed in an oven. Add herbs or spices to the water kettle to freshen the home.
Smoke should never be seen in the living area. If you see smoke, the chimney could be blocked. Put out the fire, then check the chimney or have an expert check it for you. Do not allow children to play around the stove.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit www.morguefile.com
