Buy a Cast Iron Wood-Burning Stove
You've always been drawn to those sturdy, no-nonsense cast iron wood-burning stoves. Your childhood home had a wood stove, and you're impressed by the stoves' utilitarian construction and tremendous amount of warmth they provide. Now you want to add a cast iron wood stove to your own home. However, first you must consider the cost of operating the stove compared to the cost of central heating via gas, electric, or oil. Factor in the firewood costs (if needed), yearly stove cleaning, and gasket repairs. Decide if it's more cost effective to keep your current heating system, upgrade your insulation, and replace any drafty windows. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose the stove's location. According to industry group The Wood Heat Organization, a wood stove is actually a type of space heater. Space heaters are designed to provide heat directly to a finite area, unlike a central furnace with ductwork that heats the entire house.
Consider your home's layout, and identify the room where your family spends the most time. In many cases, it will be the living room, kitchen, or family room. If your home has an open layout, you may be able to heat the entire space with one heat source.
2. Select the type of wood stove. The Wood Heat Organization defines two general configurations: free standing in the best location, with a flue pipe easily routed up into the chimney; and fireplace insert, which is similar to a modified wood stove sized to fit into the dimensions of a masonry fireplace. This insert consists of a firebox encased by a steel shell. This shell transfers the heat from the firebox into the room, instead of being kept in the fireplace. Finally, note that some wood stoves also have built-in cooktop surfaces.
Wood stoves feature one of two types of combustion. In catalytic combustion, the smoky exhaust travels through a ceramic framework where the exhaust is burned. The result is an even heat that lasts a long time. However, the stove must be operated properly or the framework will break down prematurely.
Noncatalytic stoves have firebox insulation, a large baffle for a bigger, hotter gas flow path, and pre-heated air used for combustion. Noncatalytic stoves do not provide the even heat output of catalytic stoves, and the baffles and other parts must be replaced periodically.
3. Size the wood stove correctly. The Wood Heat Organization emphasizes the consequences of choosing the wrong-size wood stove. If the stove is too large and supplies too much heat for the chosen space, you will need to operate the stove with a less intense fire to avoid overheating the room. Conversely, if the stove isn't powerful enough to heat the space, you could risk stove damage by operating the stove at too high a temperature for too long.
4. Compare wood stove sizes and heating capacities, and visit several dealers. Cast iron wood-burning stoves vary in size, features, and square footage heating capacity. For a comparison of cast iron stoves with different heating capacities, visit the Regency Fireplace Products website at regency-fire.com/Products/Hampton-Wood---Gas/Cast-Iron-Stoves,-Fireplaces---Inserts.aspx.
5. Purchase your cast iron wood burning stove. Visit a local wood stove dealer, and purchase the best wood stove for your needs and budget. Because your wood-burning stove will generate a great amount of heat in a confined space, your dealer can provide specific information on local fire regulations. He can also address venting and other installation requirements. If you prefer, the dealer can perform the entire installation for you. To find a U.S. wood stove dealer, visit wood-burning-stove-dealers.com.
6. Install your cast iron wood-burning stove. Before installing your wood-burning stove, add a chimney liner to prevent potentially deadly gases from leaking back into the house. The liner also protects brick or masonry chimneys from overheating and potentially causing a fire. U.S. homes built after 1940 are required to have a chimney liner.
Consult local fire regulations to determine fire protection requirements. A specially treated mat can catch sparks or coals; a stone hearth will also offer protection. Consult a wood stove installation guide for detailed installation information.
Tags: wood stove, cast iron, Heat Organization, iron wood-burning, Wood Heat
