Fireplaces and Wood Stoves for the Kalamazoo Fall
The leaves have almost fully changes now, and it’s safe to say the Michigan fall is in full swing. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to consider purchasing a fireplace or wood stove to heat your home and enjoy the stunning change of seasons. Even so, deciding which option is right for your home can be a surprisingly nuanced one.
In this month’s blog post, we’ll be discussing the benefits and drawbacks of fireplaces and wooden stoves, so you can make the most informed decision possible when making a purchase.
Fireplaces: What You Need to Know
Fireplaces are renowned for their aesthetic value and their ability to heat a room to ideal temperatures. Moreover, realtors agree that fireplaces add monetary value to the homes they’re installed in. According to Angie’s List, 77% of buyers report that they would pay more for a house with a fireplace. Essentially, installing a fireplace in your home will almost certainly pay for itself if you plan to sell.
That being said, you should know that fireplaces aren’t ideal for everyone. If you don’t already have a chimney or ventilation in your home to deal with the smoke caused by a wood fireplace, you’ll likely end up paying a significant amount to bring it up to code. Additionally, fireplaces generally only heat the room that they’re in, and serve more of an aesthetic value than a practical one.
With all this in mind, you should consider purchasing a wood fireplace if you’re looking for:
- Value-added additions to your home
- Aesthetic grace and wood-burning aromas
- Practical heating for one room
Wood Stoves: Just the Facts
In contrast to fireplaces, wood stoves are less popular but more effective. Unlike fireplaces, wood stoves are much more capable of warming your home, and they produce a significantly larger amount of heat for the fuel you put in them. Where fireplaces have an energy efficiency of 20-25%, EPA-approved wood stoves are guaranteed to have approximately 70%; essentially triple the efficiency. Moreover, wood stoves are smaller, simpler to install, and easier to maintain than fireplaces.
On the opposite side of the same coin, though, you should be aware that the small size of most wood stoves makes it so they only take smaller logs than fireplaces. And because fireplaces are so popular, most pre-cut wood is made with the assumption that you’ll be using them in a fireplace. On top of that, wood stoves still require a chimney or other ventilation system to safely operate, and generally aren’t considered as aesthetically pleasing as fireplaces.
To recap, you should consider a wood stove if you want:
- Energy efficiency
- Greater ability to heat your home
- Easier installation and maintenance
Are you interested in purchasing a fireplace or wood stove in your home for the Kalamazoo season change? If so, please feel free to contact us today. Together, our experts will work with you to find the ideal solution for your home.
