With the increase in usage of fossil fuel, the percentage of Americans using wood for heating homes fell gradually from 90% to 1%. Then, faced with energy crisis in the 1970s, Americans once again turned towards wood as a home heating option. With the increased awareness regarding environmental protection issues, there is a lot of concern regarding the use of wood burning stoves. However, strict EPA regulations ensure that emissions from wood burning stoves do not damage the environment. As far as procurement of wood as fuel is concerned, people are encouraged to do so using sustainable harvesting practices.

Wood burning stoves are an economical choice because, unlike central heating, they enable heating of specific zones in a house. The reasons for opting for a wood burning stove can vary from it being a warm childhood memory, a love for the characteristic smell of burning wood to just the sheer pleasure of warming oneself in a jiffy after coming in from the cold. Some people love the ever ready pot of hot water that they keep on a wood stove.

Wood stoves come in three sizes - small, medium and large. Small stoves may suffice for heating up a family room measuring up to 900 square feet. The mid-sized stoves can be used in larger rooms. Large homes fitted with old central heating systems can use wood burning stoves for certain specific areas in the house. Large sized wood burning stoves may be used in open plan houses that have a large area to be heated. Large stoves can also prove to be very useful in cold climate zones.

While in the market looking for a wood burning stove, have a floor plan of your home ready for reference. Given this background, the seller will be able to help you choose an ideal model to suit your requirements.

If you have a fireplace and opt for a fireplace insert that uses wood as fuel, there are a few important points to be considered. The fireplace damper can be a way for hot air to escape, so see if the fireplace insert addresses this problem. The metal door or heat shield in front of the fireplace can limit the amount of hot air that escapes the room. When a fireplace is in use the heat shields should be open and should remain closed when the fireplace is not in use. The performance of wood burning inserts in fireplaces can be enhanced if the fireplace is equipped with features like heat circulation ducts and built-in fans.

As most of the heat from a wood stove comes from radiation, the material used to make the wood stove should be metal that has a high conductivity rating. The stove should be in a color that aids radiation. Heavy duty cast iron is the most preferred choice for wood burning stoves. The other option available is steel. There should also be enough surface area for the heat to radiate from. Wood stoves may be either radiating or circulating. Being airtight can ensure prolonged radiation.

As a safety precaution, fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned on a periodic basis.

While purchasing wood stoves, one should look for EPA certification. EPA certification means that the product confirms to low emission standards. When compared to older uncertified stoves, certified stoves have only 30% of smoke emission. This means clean burning, more safety, better air quality and higher efficiency.

Before buying a wood burning stove, check the local air pollution laws to see if the wood stove you plan to purchase meets the specified standards of your district. Burning wood adds to the carcinogenic pollutants in the air. However, this can be reduced if wood burning stoves are manufactured as per efficiency standards and installed properly

Ask the dealer for quotes of models from different manufacturers. This will help you compare features and quality. Analyze claims made by dealers regarding products; ask for a link to the manufacturer to get clarifications, if any. Ask for help in locating the ideal size and model for your requirements. Take professional help in deciding upon the location which will give you optimum performance.

Insist on delivery and installation. Professional installation can make all the difference when it comes to safety and efficiency. This is not an issue to compromise on. Analyze the after sales service records of the dealer you are planning to purchase from. See what service back up the manufacturer provides. Take a close look at facilities for repair availability of replaceable parts and warranties.

Find out about the kind of venting system that is needed for the type of wood burning stove that you plan to purchase. Remember that an annual cleaning by a certified chimney sweep is advisable.

For maximum efficiency, properly seasoned wood should be used in wood burning stoves. Ideally, wood meant for burning should be harvested in spring and then set out to dry during the summer season. Users can gauge this by looking out for an even coloring that does not show any hint of green. Very dry wood is also not good as it burns too fast, reducing efficiency. A moisture content of 20%- 25% would be ideal. So if you are going to be using a wood burning stove, teach yourself to evaluate wood.

Dense wood costs more and burns for a long time. Wood from oak, pine and hickory can burn overnight assuring you a cozy night’s sleep. The fire from Aspen wood is quite hot and is a good way to keep your chimney clean.

It is the social responsibility of every wood stove user to find out how his wood supplier harvests his wood. It is only the practice of sustainable harvesting that will have no negative impact on biodiversity and environmental balance. Clear cutting should be discouraged at all costs.

Learn how to store your wood. It is best to cover wood from the top and leave the sides exposed to allow for air circulation. Storing wood away from wet patches will ensure that they burn well when fed to the stove. It would be a good idea to use elevated concrete blocks to store wood upon.

A thorough periodic cleaning will enhance the performance of your wood stove. Depending on the usage, decide upon a cleaning schedule either weekly, once in ten days, fortnightly or once in a month. Regular emptying out of the ash tray helps in keeping your wood stove clean. Get a certified chimney sweep for annual chimney maintenance.

There are several manufacturers of wood burning stoves who make wood stoves to fit all budgets. Check the manufacturer’s credentials for adherence to EPA norms. If your budget is $160 - $200, you can get a 90,000 BTU cast iron wood burning stove measuring 32" L x 19" W x 26" H. Safety and efficiency is assured with well sealed joints. Wood is generally added from the top which is designed to make refueling an easy job. The top is fitted with cool touch handles for easy handling. Ash can be removed easily with the help of slide out plates. Stoves of this kind are made by Vogelzang. The manufacturer assures adherence to EPA norms. Not all US states allow the sale of wood burning stoves. State approval for installation and usage should be verified before purchase. A stove with these dimensions can be fed logs measuring up to 23 inches in length.

For heating an area measuring approximately 800 - 1000 square feet, manufacturers like Vogelzang bring you wood burning stoves measuring 31" L x 21-1/2" W x 23-1/2" H. As with any other stove, stoves in this range are also made of cast iron. Adherence to high quality standards ensures properly sealed joints for reasons of safety and fuel efficiency. Features like swing away door, lift out lids, cool touch handles and the like make the handling of the stove easy. All standard regulations are adhered to and the manufacturers do not supply this stove to certain states in the US where sale of wood stoves is not permitted.

The $600 - $700 price band can bring you a wood burning stove measuring 40" H, 35.5" W and 12" in depth. Made of cast iron, stoves in this price range are versatile as they are designed to burn any fuel like wood or charcoal. In the absence of wood or coal, these stoves can be adapted for using gas or electricity. Features like fold away doors, flue adapter, grates, screens and the like add to the ease of use of these stoves. A stove of this size is capable of adequately warming 1,200 – 1,400 square feet approximately. For installation, a stove of this size will require a clearance of at least 30 - 40 inches from any combustible surface. Leading wood stove manufacturers like Franklin make stoves with the above specifications.

In the $700 - $1000 bracket wood stove manufacturers like Vogelzang and Drolet among others bring you wood stoves with blowers. This feature increases the efficiency of the stove as the blower aids in circulating heated air. The heated air is directed outside through the ducts present on the sides of the stove. This stove is made of heavy gauge steel and is lined on the inside with bricks. Stoves in this range generally measure 26" W x 20" D x 33" H and can heat 1500 - 2000 square feet adequately. One full load of wood logs can keep the stove burning for around eight to ten hours. The type of wood used will also affect the heat produced. Stoves of this kind are ideal for use in garages, cabins, hunting camps and the like.

If your budget allows you to spend up to $1200 and you have a masonry fireplace, you can consider a fireplace wood burning stove. Check for compatibility of dimensions so that there are no issues while installation. Fireplace wood burning stoves generally come equipped with blowers. A 27" L X 23.5" W X 20" H is capable of heating an area of 1600 - 2000 square feet in an adequate manner. Manufacturers like Drolet make fireplace insert wood burning stoves.

Pellet-fed stoves are relative newcomers in the wood stove market place. They automatically burn compressed wood pellets and some models also burn corn. Pellet stoves are convenient because they can be left unattended for up to twenty four hours. However, they are comparatively expensive to use due to the purchase price, fuel cost and maintenance. Pellet stoves need electricity to operate and their electronic controls don't work if the power is out. The cost range for pellet stoves is $1400 to $3000.