Winter has officially come to Minnesota! After a full day of sledding, shopping, and trudging through the snow, nothing sounds better than curling up in front of a crackling fire with a mug of hot coco. But this cozy scene isn’t the only upside to a wood burning stove; incorporating a wood burning stove in your home has a plethora of benefits.
Adds interest to your home
Wood-burning stoves act as a natural focal point in your living area. Not only do they excite the eyes, but they also please the nose through the natural scents that come from burning wood. Cherry wood gives off a sweet and fruity aroma, while woods like hickory have a rich and hearty smell to them. Wood-burning stoves also increase your resale value by $1,220 on average.
No electricity needed
Wood-burning stoves function “off the grid”, which is good for the winter months. Using a stove for heat and natural light will both decrease your utility bill in the winter. Since fire-burning stoves don’t run on electricity, they still work during a winter power outage! Gather the family in front of the fire, wrap up in some blankets, and even cook dinner over the open flames – hotdogs and s’mores anyone?
Environmentally friendly
Wood-burning stoves are more environmentally friendly than other types of stoves. Wood is a sustainable and renewable source while fossil fuels, which are used in gas and electric stoves, are neither sustainable nor renewable. Wood-burning stoves also cost less to operate than gas stoves. Wood is bought once and can provide hours of heat and light, where gas is metered so you have to pay according to how much you use.
Low maintenance
While caring for wood-burning stoves can seem daunting, they actually require little maintenance. All you need to do is shovel and dispose of ash! Wait 2-3 days until the ashes have fully cooled, scoop them into a mental container, and then either dump them or reuse them. In winter, ash can be used as a natural and eco-friendly ice melt. In the spring and summer, ash can be used both as a fertilizer and a natural deterrent to garden pests like slugs and snails. Ashes can also be used to polish jewelry, absorb odors, and enhance your compost.
No matter what your reason, when you are ready to purchase your new wood-burning stove stop by Brekke Fireplace Shoppe to browse our vast selection.