How Safe Are Wood Burning Stoves in your House?

Question

Due to an ice storm recently we were without power for nearly 5 days and have been trying to use the gas cook stove and oven to keep somewhat warm.

I'm thinking about getting a wood stove installed in my home for next winter and mainly use it during power outages.

How safe are wood burning stoves?

Answer 1

For the last couple years since I moved to my new place I haven't used one but that's just because I haven't got it installed yet.

When I was living in my mobile home in the other town I used my wood burning stove as the sole source of heat.

I never got gas installed to it since the home was only temporary and I used the wood stove in the winter to cook on as well.

If installed correctly they're very safe. I know how to install them safely so I didn't need to pay anyone to install it for me.

But if I didn't know how to correctly install it I would hire it out as they must be installed correctly with the triple wall pipe and proper clearances to anything combustible.

Since mine was installed correctly I had no problem going to bed at night with the fire going in the stove.

Natural gas furnaces can be dangerous too if they leak gas and blow up.

In my old house that was built in 1906 while remodeling and taking down old lathe boards I found places where stove pipe was installed in the living room, dining room, and bedroom.

It's all these old houses were heated with mostly back then.

I love wood heat and it saves money too if you can get the wood for free.

Yes it requires work but I love cutting, splitting and hauling wood and lighting up my wood stove.

I love coming in from a cold day outside and standing next to the stove until my pants start getting so hot they will smolder if I don't move away from it.

To those out there that don't love wood burning stoves and do have a gas heater that requires no electricity as a backup. Remember that just like electricity a natural gas supply can be cut off too.

Always have a backup source of heat.

Answer 2

An update I'm now using a wood stove for my heating in my old house and I love the heat it gives off. I'll always burn wood for heat as long as I'm able to get around to do the work.

Answer 3

Wood burning stoves are very safe to use in a house as long as the wood burning stove is used properly and also as long as the wood burning stove is installed properly with the correct pipes.

You need to use insulated stove pipe when it exists the roof and wall and keep the stove far enough away from walls and other combustibles.

Do not get the wood burning stove too hot and when you first start the fire in the wood stove watch it closely until it goes down.

I have a wood burning stove that I use once in awhile and I go to sleep with it burning without worrying about it.

I had the wood burning stove installed professionally so that my homeowners insurance would still cover my home if something happened.

Answer 4

Wood burning stoves are pretty safe if you install them correctly and keep up with regular maintenance. Make sure to get your chimney cleaned and checked regularly to avoid any fire hazards. Also, proper ventilation is key to keeping the air in your home safe. If you're looking into other energy options, you might want to check out octopus energy reviews for some eco-friendly alternatives. Just always follow local building codes to make sure that everything is up to standard.