Central wood heaters are typically installed in a utility room or basement. They are ideal for heating any type of home. When shopping for central wood heaters, you will need to decide between one of three different options. They are boiler, hot water and forced air central head wood stoves.
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Boiler Style Central Heat Wood Stoves
A boiler that is wood fired is a great option for a home that has a radiator. In most instances, the boiler features doors that are made from heavy cast-iron as well as other features such as high limit controls and automatic draft regulators.
The firebox itself usually has a water jacket surrounding it that allows the heat to be transferred from the fire to the water. Heated water is then circulated throughout the heat distribution system. The water jacket also offers protection to prevent the firebox from becoming overheated. This is a benefit that is not available with other types such as the hot-air system.
Hot Water or Hydronic System
This type of system offers a number of advantages, including the fact that it is possible to heat the water in your home using the same system. In addition, this type of system can also include additional heat storage tanks.
This system also tends to burn quite cleanly due to the fact that the fire burns so quickly and at such a high temperature. Additional water tanks store excess heat that can be used for use later.
Forced Air Style Central Heat Wood Stoves
Forced air systems are great for homes which already have forced hot air ductwork. This type of system is generally controlled with a thermostat and offers a firebox that is fairly large. In addition, it offers automatic draft control as well as hot water coils that are optional.
While there are also some types that are designed to burn coal and others feature optional evaporation pans to provide humidification, each of these systems burn wood in order to heat the air in the heat exchanger.
Once the air is heated, it is then distributed throughout the living space in the home through the ductwork that is present. With a forced hot air system, there is generally not a heat storage capacity present. As a result, it will need to be refueled on a regular basis in order for a comfortable temperature to be maintained.
Buying A Wood Stove for a Home Improvement Project
Buying a wood stove for your home improvement is an ideal way to add a touch of charm to the decor of your house. There are varieties of available wood stoves that can heat a small area of your home, or even the entire house. Wood stoves offer a viable alternative to traditional methods of home heating that are both environmentally friendly and cheaper to operate.
When adding a wood stove into the overall design of your home improvement project, the unit will offer more than just an eye-appealing look to the room. New technology now makes woodstoves that are fully automated and even have the ability to double as a cooking unit. A wood stove is able to provide efficient heat due to quality materials and design.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Burning renewable resources is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint, the amount of damage you do to the environment by living your daily life. A wood burning stove is rated a “carbon neutral” device, because it does not increase the amount of CO2 emission when used. Wood is known to emit the identical amount of CO2 whether it decomposes or is consumed by fire. As an eco-friendly solution, wood-burning stoves help save the planet.
Saving Money
When compared to other traditional heating methods including gas, electric and oil, burning wood can save you a significant amount of money. Gathering and storing wood throughout the warm seasons will provide you the opportunity to burn it during the cold winter months. The wood you burn should be seasoned (not green) that is dried thoroughly. With advancements in wood stove technology, many manufacturers are designing units that can provide up to three times as much heat than traditional older style stoves.
Emergency Cooking
Often times, during wind and snowstorms, your electrical power can be knocked out for days. Using a barbecue or camp stove indoors can be extremely dangerous, causing high levels of carbon monoxide to emit into the air, through the house. As a safe alternative you can use your wood stove to heat up many frozen and canned goods until the electricity has been restored.