| Newer doesn't automatically mean better, but | | | | waste substance that accumulates in stove flues. |
| when it comes to the tested technology of | | | | That means you won't need to hire a chimney |
| advanced wood stoves, the benefits are hard to | | | | sweep to service your stove, and it reduces the |
| argue with. Current wood stove models--anything | | | | risk of stovepipe fires to almost nil. |
| made after the early 1990s and approved by the | | | | Third, Maximum Wood Economy |
| Environmental Protection Agency--are at least a | | | | This may sound slightly redundant, but let me |
| third more economical than the traditional pot belly | | | | point it out anyway. Contemporary stoves |
| stove. That means 33 percent less cash spent on | | | | produce very little smoke, as we saw above--but |
| seasoned wood (or 33 percent less elbow grease | | | | this is a result of their fuel efficiency. They burn |
| if you harvest your own fuel). In addition, today's | | | | hotter with less wood, and they burn wood |
| wood burning stoves are nearly smokeless, | | | | completely, leaving very little ash. This results in a |
| keeping polluting fumes to a minimum. Let's break | | | | smaller environmental footprint, as less wood is |
| down the benefits in a little more detail. | | | | consumed. Do you see a theme emerging? More |
| First, Efficient Technology | | | | heat, less expenditure. In addition, today's stoves |
| At the moment you sign the check or swipe your | | | | are easy to operate, so you'll spend a minimum |
| credit card, the economical technology of a | | | | of time getting your fires lit. No tinkering with a |
| contemporary stove will cost you about $200 | | | | quirky machine to get the air flow right and the |
| dollars. However, as heating savings begin to | | | | fire started. |
| accumulate, that investment will quickly pay | | | | Fourth, Wood Stove Style |
| dividends. After just a couple seasons of use, you | | | | This may be the last thing you think about, but it |
| can expect your stove to have paid for | | | | needs to be said: Today's stoves are much better |
| itself--and thereafter you're moving further and | | | | looking than their predecessors. Advanced modern |
| further into the black with every fire you build. It's | | | | designs give us a pay-off in aesthetic terms as |
| not hard to see why many homeowners find this | | | | well. Stoves you'll look at now showcase graceful |
| kind of math attractive. | | | | lines, custom colors, and stone and enamel |
| Second, Green Safety | | | | materials in addition to classic cast iron and welded |
| Modern stoves give off 90 percent fewer fumes | | | | steel models. Contemporary stoves feature |
| than the traditional models, which amounts to fires | | | | self-cleaning glass windows, which allow you to |
| that are virtually smokeless. Practically, this means | | | | keep an eye on fires and make adjustments if |
| no dark, heavy smoke, no stifling, harmful | | | | necessary. But probably better than that, it allows |
| emissions, no bad odor. This kind of efficiency | | | | you to curl up and watch the flames dance. |
| makes stoves an environmentally friendly | | | | Convinced yet? By going with a new stove, you'll |
| alternative. On top of this, 90 percent less smoke | | | | gain a radiant heating source that pads your bank |
| means 90 percent less creosote--a flammable | | | | account while adding to the beauty of your home. |