How To Save On Your Heating Bill With The Best Wood Stoves

As the cold winter months draw near, you may be looking for more efficient and effective ways to heat your home. When the frost sets in, you have probably found that the size of your utility bill steadily marches upward each month. You may currently have natural gas, oil, or use electricity to heat your home but no matter what type of heating system you use, you have several options when it comes to choosing alternative heating methods. Some people employ a portable kerosene heater, though these can be messy and have an unpleasant odor while the price of kerosene is on the rise. Another choice is using portable electric heaters, but the price tag of this method can be substantial. What other option do you have? The answer is installing a wood burning stove. The best wood stoves on the market today are unmatched in their heating efficiency, which will save you money on your heating costs.
When considering the purchase of a stove, the size of the area you would like to heat will determine how large a stove you should select. The best wood stoves produce a tremendous amount of heat, so you must take care not to purchase too large a unit, otherwise your house could become uncomfortably hot. The reason they can generate so much heat is due to their efficient design. The metal of the stove's body sends heat in every direction, rather than from the front of the unit alone, as a fireplace does. This makes them one of the most effective heating mechanism on the market today.
While wood stoves are truly effective, some designs are more efficient than others. For the best results with the least amount of fuel, pick a model that is certified as high efficiency by the EPA. This type of efficient stove will be capable of carefully controlling the amount of air that reaches the fire. Be sure never to leave your flue completely open, as this will cause you to lose heat out of the chimney.
Some of the best wood stove manufacturers such as Jotul, Ashley, and Hearthstone have improved efficiency in recent years even further. These models pull outside air directly into the stove to provide the necessary oxygen needed to stoke the fire. Older stoves pull this cold air through the room instead, resulting in a chilly draft that can lower the heating effects of your wood stove. These improved stoves are termed external air supply units, and they are now widely available.
If you aren't sure if you can afford to install a stove in your home, consider that you will get a significant rebate from the government for doing so. The higher efficiency stoves are eligible for the energy efficient home improvement credit on your federal income tax. This can significantly lower your upfront installation cost, meaning it makes more sense then ever before to consider a new wood stove for your heating needs.
The best wood stoves in today's market will provide the warmth you desire, for the price you need. So, why not choose a quality stove for your heating needs this winter?