Were you affected by the rolling blackouts or by any power outage during the winter? You may want to consider another alternative heat source.  Wood stoves or fireplace inserts can help lower the cost of utilities during the average winter weather.  If you lose electricity during the winter, you can use a wood stove for cooking as well.

Fireplace Inserts

If you already have a fireplace you may want to consider a fireplace insert.  Fireplace inserts cost approximately $500 to $1,500, not including installation.  We recommend hiring someone to install one if you’re not comfortable climbing onto your roof.  The installation is difficult, but worth it in the long run as it can save approximately 40% on heating bills.  Most inserts are made from cast iron or steel.  Because of this, they can provide heating efficiencies of nearly 80 percent or more to your home.  In the long run, installing an insert will save you money.  It will also be a comfort to have a backup heat source in case of power outages in the winter.

Wood Stove

If you do not have a fireplace, a wood stove is another heat source alternative.  The initial cost of installing a wood stove is approximately  $1,200 to $4,500. 1“A wood stove can add value to a house, but it can depend on what a buyer is looking for. Studies have shown that fireplaces in general are a selling point for a home, while wood stoves may help to increase house prices by up to 5%.”  If you choose a stove that is right for your home, you can save up to 50% on your heating cost.  With the expectation of our electric bills increasing, this is a good option to consider.

Our family has used a wood stove for the last 25 years as a supplemental heat source.  Our furnace does not kick on until the early morning hours.  We keep our furnace set at 68 degrees in the winter.  We are currently paying 150.00 dollars for a cord of wood delivered.  In a normal winter, we go thru less than 2 cords of wood.  We can cook on our stove and our animals love to snuggle near the stove for warmth.  During loss of electricity due to storms or rolling blackouts, our family is not affected.  We feel it is a good backup source for heating our home.

Most insurance companies will insure a home with a wood stove that meets their specifications.  Check with your homeowner insurance before pursuing installing a wood stove.

When choosing an alternative heat source, review your family’s needs.  Consider the size home you need to heat, affordability, insurance, and long-term savings.  If CH Construction can assist you in preparing for a remodel to include alternative heat, give us a call.

 

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