Rising Gas Prices: Save Money On A Wood Stove or Fireplace Insert

As colder temperatures approach, many families are looking to save money on heating bills this coming winter. High gas prices and concerns about inflation make this a particularly pressing issue this season. One way to reduce your heating bills is to use alternative sources of heat, such as a wood stove or fireplace insert. If you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace and masonry chimney in your home, you can easily install a new heat source there. While wood-burning fireplaces are very cozy, they are also very inefficient. Most of the heat produced by wood-burning fireplaces escapes through the chimney. Additionally, fireplaces can be very drafty when not in use, increasing your heating bill even more. Fireplace inserts are much warmer without compromising the look and feel of your fireplace.

Wood Stove

A wood stove is another effective way to heat your home while keeping your gas prices low. Many modern wood stoves use aesthetically pleasing designs that mimic the look of a fireplace without the loss of heat. Modern wood stoves also have to meet emissions standards. This means they burn clean and are better for the environment than many other sources of heat and fuel.
The downside of a wood stove is that you will have to keep plenty of wood on hand to use it. Wood stoves also require more maintenance than pellet fireplace inserts. However, wood stoves can be installed in many different places throughout the home, which makes them a more flexible option for many homeowners.

Pellet Fireplace Insert

A pellet fireplace insert runs entirely on pellets made from wood scraps and sawdust. They burn very efficiently and cleanly, and they are also very environmentally friendly. The pellets are very affordable as well. These inserts look just like a traditional fireplace and even give off the same comforting smell of a wood-burning fire. However, they generate much more heat, so you’ll be able to stay warmer in the winter without racking up a huge heating bill. They also require very little cleanup and maintenance. All you’ll need to do is make sure the insert has enough pellets to run before turning the insert on.

Zone Heating Strategies

If you are planning to install a pellet fireplace insert or a wood stove this year, consider using zone heating to cut back on costs even further. With zone heating, you’ll only heat the rooms you’re using, rather than heating the entire house. This strategy works best in larger homes with multiple rooms or floors. To do this, turn down your heating system when you’re using the room that contains the stove or insert. You can add supplemental heaters if the stove or insert alone doesn’t provide enough heat.

Don’t wait until winter starts to rethink your heating options. Now is a great time to install a wood stove or pellet fireplace insert.

A1 Chimney Specialists can help you install these new heating systems, and we also offer chimney cleaning, repairs, inspections, and more. Give us a call at 931-967-3595 in Tennessee or 256-285-4895 in Alabama to schedule an appointment.