A Few Tips for Choosing a Wood Heater for Your Home

Posted on: 28 November 2017

If you love the look of a built-in fireplace, but don't have the room or the budget to have one installed in your home, you might opt for a wood heater instead. A wood heater, or wood-burning stove, is a stand-alone unit that only needs construction for a vent that goes through an exterior wall. These heaters come in a wide range of sizes and styles, so you can find one that fits a small bedroom, or one that is perfectly proportionate for a large living and dining space. Before you shop for a wood heater, note a few tips on how to choose one for your space, and then discuss your options with an installer as necessary.

Size

Never assume that a large wood heater is always going to be the best option for your home; too much heat can make a room feel stuffy and downright uncomfortable, and it often takes some time for that heat to dissipate even after you extinguish a fire. You also don't want to assume that you can buy a large heater and just maintain a small fire inside, as a large heater typically brings more air to the fire. Too much air on a small fire will extinguish it, so you may have no choice but to keep a larger fire in that large heater or you'll wind up with no fire at all! Check the overall heating capacity for each wood heater and opt for one that provides just the amount of heat you need for your space, rather than assuming that bigger is better.

Material

Steel stoves get warm much quicker than cast iron stoves, so if you want to use your wood heater to keep a home warm during cold winter months, a steel body will quickly heat the room where it's located. This is also a good choice if you plan on using your wood heater to actually cook on, as you won't need to wait very long before the stove gets warm enough to use under your pots and pans.

On the other hand, cast iron tends to hold heat longer than steel, so it will stay warm even after you put out the fire. If you want to warm a room into the night, when you may be asleep and not able to tend to the fire, you might opt for a cast iron heater. This will ensure the room stays warm even after the fire has gone out.

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