Whether you’re trying to be more proactive in being prepared for oil shortages or electricity outages, want to save money on heating expenses, are looking to be more ecologically friendly, or you just love the smell and feel of a real wood burning fireplace or wood stove, there’s a lot to consider before switching over to one completely. There are pros and cons to wood burning systems and you’ll want to get all the information so you can make your decision about whether or not to have a wood burning fireplace. We found some great articles that really give you the low down on just what having a wood fireplace or wood stove will require from you and will provide for you.
Pros and Cons of Wood Burning Systems
In this article by Wendy Lyons, Sunshine Energy Expert, written for energy.about.com, she goes into some detail on the pros and cons of having a wood burning heating system instead of using coal or gas. With today’s more efficient and clean burning wood burning or biomass pellet burning systems, pollution from the burning is much less of an issue and often much cleaner than coal or gas. In addition, the fuel costs are much less and the fuel is renewable, and therefore much kinder to the environment. However, the costs associated with larger pellet or wood burning systems are higher if they are going to meet government and EPA standards for air quality. In addition, in a co-generation set up where the wood or pellet burning device also provides electricity, the initial costs are quite high, though an overall savings over the life of the system. To get all the great information, make sure you read the full article here.
Pros and Cons of a Wood Burning Stove
Whether you are supplementing your heating with a wood burning fireplace or wood stove, or you are using it for your main source of heat, you’ll want to read this article by Roma Lightsey for ehow.com, on the pros and cons of using a wood burning set up. While using wood with a sophisticated system built today is much cheaper and overall much better on the environment, it still has a messy side. From having to clean out and dispose of your ash, to making sure you have a chimney sweep come once a year, there are going to be costs associated with wood burning appliances that you may not have thought of. You’ll want to read the full article here to get all of the great information.
Natural Gas vs. Wood Burning Fireplaces: Pros and Cons
If you’re bound and determined to have a fireplace in your home, but aren’t sure if you want a wood burning fireplace or a natural gas burning fireplace, then you’ll definitely want to read this article posted on Projectgeenify.com. The article goes into detail on the differences in heating capability of fireplaces, and wood stoves as well. It also provides some great information on the effects of burning wood, versus the effects of burning natural gas on the environment. Before you make your choice, make sure you read the full article here.