Fixer To Fabulous Star Dave Marrs Explains The Benefits Of Wood Burning Stoves
A wood-burning stove is a popular choice for heating and adding ambiance to a home. With some kindling, fuel, and a gradual addition of wood logs, the wood slowly burns to release thermal energy that not only keeps the room warm but also creates a great focal point. HGTV's Dave Marrs has a wood-burning stove in his own home and shares his thoughts about having one on Season 5 of "Fixer To Fabulous." Before the renovation began in the episode titled "Horse Ranch Dream," he recommended keeping the stove because of how efficient it would be as a heater.
"A wood-burning stove is a fine option," he said (via Realtor). High heat efficiency is one of the top benefits of having a wood-burning stove because it is designed to use less energy, which leads to lower utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint. This makes it a responsible choice and investment as a home heating solution.
Efficiency, versatility, and style
Per Realtor, Dave Marrs sees a wood-burning stove as a good heater because of how it disperses heat. The simple explanation behind why wood stoves do this more efficiently than traditional fireplaces is that they are designed to burn wood more completely, therefore extracting more heat from the combustion process. Beyond creating warmth, the heat that's extracted can be used in other ways. Clothes can be hung to dry in the room with big wood-burning stoves while those with flat tops can be used to cook or heat something. Multiple birds, one stone. Another reason behind their efficiency is their compact design which better facilitates the heat they let out.
It's also important to note that wood itself is a renewable resource. This makes it a generally more cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source when compared to other heating options like electricity or natural gas. Coupled with the style and charm of real wood burning in the corner, it's no wonder that these stoves are so popular.
How to maximize the benefits of a wood-burning stove
While wood stoves can be more efficient and eco-friendly, they still contribute to air pollution and climate change. However, you can lessen the effects by getting the right product and ensuring it is installed properly. Choose a modern model that has been properly certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blaze King Princess 32 is a sleek wood stove that costs from $3,899 to $5,000 with a commendably low emission rate of 0.4 g/h. The Drolet Escape 1500 sold by Costco is another EPA-certified model with a 1.26 g/h emission rate and a price of $1,599.
The style benefits can also be maximized by investing in the platform for your wood stove. If you choose a black wood stove like one of these, you can complement it with something more interesting on the wall like the brick alcove Dave and Jenny Marrs chose for one of their wood stove projects. You also need the right wood logs. They should be small enough to fit into your stove and dried properly so they can ignite easily, heat better, and produce less smoke. The mini fire pit wood box from Cutting Edge Firewood comes in an attractive, compact package that contains all you need to start a fire like wood matches and kindling for under $90.