Pros & Cons of Wood Heat
A warm, dancing fire provides the ultimate coziness in a home! Wood heat is affordable, sustainable, lowers humidity and offers an ambience that can’t be beat! The main downside to wood heat are chores. For example: Firewood needs to be processed and the fire needs to be tended. If you’re looking for that cozy ambience with less work, a gas fireplace may be a better option. If you don’t mind the work (we thoroughly enjoy it!) then a wood stove is a great option for heating your home. For a complete list of the pros and cons read on!
Pros:
1. Cost-Effective: One of the biggest advantages of wood heat is its cost-effectiveness. Wood is generally cheaper than other heating sources such as oil or gas, and it is also a renewable resource. There are endless opportunities for scrap wood or free firewood if you’re willing to invest some sweat equity.
2. Environmentally Friendly: Wood heat is more environmentally friendly than other heating sources. Wood is a renewable resource and doesn’t produce harmful greenhouse gasses, unlike fossil fuels.
3. Independence: Heating with wood can provide you with a sense of independence and resilience. You don’t have to rely on a utility company to provide you with heat, and you can also cut your own wood if you have a source of trees on your property.
4. Comfort: Wood heat provides a cozy and comfortable feeling. The heat produced by wood stoves is a radiant heat, which warms objects and people directly. Plus wood heat is a dry heat, unlike propane, and can help mitigate humidity and mold issues in small spaces.
Cons:
1. Maintenance: Wood heat requires maintenance. You need to clean the stove regularly, and you also need to dispose of the ash and regularly maintain your chimney pipe.
2. Smoke: Wood heat produces smoke, which can be a problem for people with respiratory issues. Smoke can also be a nuisance for neighbors, especially if you live in a densely populated area. A wood stove can also give off a mild wood smoke smell. If you don’t like the smell of wood smoke, heating with wood may not be for you. A properly managed wood stove shouldn’t make your space smell strongly of smoke, but a tuft of smoke might escape occasionally when you open the door.
3. Fire Hazard: Wood heat can be a fire hazard if not installed or operated correctly. Incorrect clearances and not maintaining the chimney pipe regularly are the main causes of fire hazard. These are easily mitigated with proper installation and maintenance. Pro tip: Always maintain proper clearances from combustibles and never dispose of ash or coals in the trash!!!
4. Inconsistent Heat: Wood heat can be inconsistent. The heat produced by wood stoves can vary depending on the type of wood you are using and how you stoke the stove. On long cold nights you will likely have to tend the fire or bundle up with extra layers. With a wood stove there is no thermostat to keep your space the perfect temperature.
Conclusion:
Wood heat can be a cost-effective, resilient and environmentally friendly way to heat your home, but it also requires effort, maintenance and can be inconsistent with heat output & interior temperature. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of wood heat before deciding if it’s right for you. If you’re looking for that dancing flame ambience but prefer the ease of a thermostat then a Direct-Vent Gas Stove may be the perfect choice for you!
Still not sure if a wood stove is the best choice for you? Contact us with your questions and we will be happy to help you find the answers.