A wood stove is one of the most intelligent purchases you can buy for your home for several reasons: warm and cozy ambiance, energy independence, economical home heating, and even sustainability!
Luckily, buying the wood stove of your dreams doesn't have to be stressful. Read on as we cover wood stove basics, then highlight answers to common questions people ask about them! With the correct answers in hand, you can make the best decision for your home.
What is a Wood-Burning Stove?
A wood stove is a self-contained heating appliance that produces indoor heat with a process called combustion. There are numerous technologies designed to burn wood efficiently, like the Quadra-Fire 4 Point Burn technology and ACC control.
Stoves can have a range of burn times, depending on the size of the firebox, types/species of wood burned, wood moisture content, and size of the fuel load. They also range in lifespan. A high-quality wood stove will last between 10 and 20 years if it is properly maintained.
Wood stoves are a perfect investment for those who want the tactile and immersive experience of splitting wood and tending to a fire. In contrast, wood stoves might not be the best choice for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it fire-burning experience. (In this case, look into purchasing an electric fireplace or gas stove.)
Stove Material
Stoves come in different sizes and types. The two most common types of wood stoves are:
Cast Iron Stoves
Cast iron stoves are often ornately designed and are available in black paint as well as porcelain colors that complement your home décor and color scheme. They retain heat long after the fire goes out and usually cost more than steel stoves.
A difference between cast iron stoves and steel stoves is heat retention. Cast iron is a thick and dense metal that takes longer to heat up than steel, so you won’t feel the radiant warmth in your room as quickly but the stove stays hot longer.
Steel Stoves
Wood stoves built from steel are often streamlined in appearance. They also heat more quickly and can be less expensive than their cast iron counterparts.
Learn more about what to look for while shopping for a wood stove.
Top Reasons to Buy a Wood Stove
There are multiple reasons people opt for a wood stove.
Reason #1: Being Prepared for Anything
One of the top reasons consumers purchase wood stoves is to achieve energy independence. Wood stoves don’t require electricity so, in the event of a power outage or if you lack power in your space (e.g. small cabins or cottage get-aways), you still have a heat source. Additionally, you can use your wood stove to heat food or water in an emergency. Some folks even regularly cook on their wood stoves!
Reason #2: Cost Savings
As home heating costs continue to climb, wood-burning stoves help reduce the use of non-renewable energy sources. Let us explain with an example:
A wood stove in a 2,000-square-foot space uses three to six cords of wood in a single season, depending on usage, climate, and heating requirements. This year, the average wood cord cost is $296, which makes the cost $888-$1,776 to heat the space. If you're using wood cut from your backyard, the fuel is free. Compare that with the cost of gas or electricity, and you're seeing a substantial reduction in your overall energy bill.
In addition, buying a wood stove entitles you to a federal tax credit, which includes the cost of purchasing and installing it. In 2022, wood stove owners will receive a 26% federal tax credit on qualifying wood-burning products (including select Quadra-Fire wood stoves). In 2023, the tax credit is 30%, capped at $2,000 per year.
Reason #3: Well-Being and Ambiance
When you're a wood stove owner, you can enjoy one of nature's most beautiful elements daily with the quiet crackle of burning wood. Undoubtedly, watching a fire is relaxing and produces a calming ambiance!
Reason #4: Sustainable
All wood stoves on the market today are required to be Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified. The certification requires compliance with strict emissions and efficiency regulations designed to optimize heat output.
Wood heat is carbon neutral, and EPA certified stoves (burned correctly) do not emit smoke from the pipe into the environment.
What’s more, wood is known as the fuel that warms you twice — once when you chop it and again when you burn it.
Take the Next Step
Wood stoves are an appealing addition to any home and have many benefits for the right type of owner. But before you buy, weigh the pros and cons involved in purchasing and operating a wood stove and learn how to choose the best stove.
We are here for you if you're ready to take the next step. Quadra-Fire has many options for you. Browse Quadra-Fire’s wood stoves online, or connect with a local dealer to find the perfect wood stove.
