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