With home heating bills smoldering through the roof, it’s no wonder that many homeowners are contemplating a wood burning stove to help handle some or all of their home heating needs. Firewood is abundant and inexpensive in many parts of the country, and technological advancements have made woodstoves and other wood burning appliances safer and more efficient than ever.
Unfortunately, wood burning appliances still pose a danger if common sense safety precautions are ignored. Here’s a quick look at some key steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of a fire.
Find A Professional Wood Stove Installer
Few homeowners have the technical "know-how" to properly install a woodstove, fireplace insert or other wood burning appliance, and fewer still understand all of the pertinent building code requirements in their community. For example, clearances between the wood burning appliance, the venting system and any combustible materials above, below or beside the appliance are critical. What’s more, installation errors in a wood burning appliance rarely prevent it from "working." This can all too easily leave a homeowner with a false sense of security—until it’s too late.
Ask about certified installation services when shopping for a wood burning appliance, and check credentials. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the best ways to locate a certified professional is through a certification agency like the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). A list of NFI Certified Woodburing Specialists is available on the organization’s Internet site a www.nficertified.org.