A woodstove for heat?

[Jamielane]

We have a regular furnace that works well but I am forever trying to cut back on the cost of our utilites. Our home is very small . About 900 sq.ft . We have two daughters and one is an asthmatic. My husband and I have talked about a woodburning stove before but we were concerned if it would irritate her asthma. Does anyone here have one and what kind of odors or unpleasant effects does it leave ? I am grateful for any advice or guidance anyone can give me on this .

[Grainlady]

Having grown up using wood for heat, I'd suggest finding something else if anyone has any kind of breathing challenges. I believe wood smoke contributed to much of my lung problems I've dealt with all my life. It used to be my job to start the fire every morning.

Health Effects of Wood Smoke
http://www.epa.gov/woodstoves/healtheffects.html

Pellet or corn stoves may be a less toxic choice, but both pellets and corn have gotten VERY expensive. We looked into them a year ago and instead of a free-standing pellet/corn stove, we put in a small portrait gas fireplace that didn't require electricity to run.

http://fireplacex.com/design_ideas/g..._portrait.aspx)

We've been without electricity for prolonged periods of time because of ice storms, and the gas fireplace is our emergency heating back-up. It's more than enough heat for our small home. The gas fireplace is actually more energy efficient than our 3-yr. old gas furnace.

What we've used to drastically cut our heating bill (for the last 6-years) is to use a Sun Cloud Infrared Heating System - you'll find other brands, but this one is available here in town and the business will service it, if necessary. It heats with 6 infrared bulbs (other brands only have 4 bulbs). We put a Watt-A-Meter on it to check the amount of energy used over nearly 600 hours, and it ended up costing us 2 cents per hour to run, and is perfect for small spaces.

This is much different from a typical "space heater". It has an A-1 Insurance rating. This is the highest safety rating. People may not realize space heaters may not be covered by their homeowners insurance if it should start a fire. The Sun Cloud is safe to use around small children and pets. No safety clearance from flammable materials needed. You could drop a blanket on it and it won't catch on fire. It's like a small end-table on wheels and can't be knocked over.

The first year we purchased a Sun Cloud we only used our furnace 9 days that winter. A few of those days were during extreme cold and the rest were while we were away from home. The heated area (living, dining, kitchen) also had high volted ceilings. At the time, we lived in a town house and our bills were half what the neighbors were (in the exact same home plan). Surprisingly, we actually paid for the Sun Cloud the first winter we used it on the savings of gas and electricity.

We have since given our first Sun Cloud to our son for his efficiency apartment, which saved him hundreds of dollars on utilities, and have purchased one for our open floor-plan home and another we move into our master bath when we take showers/baths.

An "oddball" thing we've done the past 3 years that has really made a BIG difference in the comfort indoors is to add bubblewrap to our windows in the winter. For more information: http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...bubblewrap.htm

We've found more layers of insulation and coverings you can cover your windows, the better it is. Our home is 3-years old and we've got energy efficient windows and insulated Levolor blinds, but adding the bubblewrap really made a huge difference. Especially in the dining room where there is a bay window that gave you a chill each meal you ate there.

You can check furniture stores for free or inexpensive bubblewrap in large sheets. I suggest using DISTILLED water for applying it because regular tap water contains minerals and they can etch the glass. Tip: cut the bubblewrap just a tiny bit smaller than the window and use an old spritz bottle for the water. If you go over the edge of the window with the bubblewrap, it will tend to dry-out and you'll need to apply more water.

[mombottoo]

If you are able to install an outdoor wood stove and run the hot air into your home she shouldn't have any trouble at all.

[rowdy35]

we have a wood stove too but my house is about 1500 square feet so it doesn't irritate my breathing or my husband's (he is a heavy smoker - 35 yr smoker) and has very weak lungs. Since your home is so small, it may irritate your daughter's lungs. Maybe you should have a chat with her doctor about it and see what he or she says.

[CrazyCat]

Corn and Pellet stoves are what you need to look at.

Much cleaner burning.

[Brat]

I have a wood stove in the basement open stairs to the liveing area..My home is just under 2000 sq feet...First off it is dirty even in the basement. You also want to consider the cost of the stove, what extra things it takes to have it installed to safety code, your homeowers insurance, and if you will have to buy wood or not..there is smoke that gets into the house no matter how careful you are...I would be careful and do a lot of checking with the asthmatic child before I put it in..It may not really pay to have one all things considered.

[Jamielane]

Thanks to all the nice people who answered my question. We have decided against the wood stove. We may however get another small electric fireplace for the kids room since that is the room I am most interested in keeping warm at night. We have one in the livingroom and it works very well in there. The cost has been minimal on the electric bill and the actual unit can be purchased at the hardware store here for 100.00 or less in the fall. My daughters pediatrician also was opposed to her being in the same environment as a woodburning stove for extended periods of time so that finished off any discussion there may have been left. Thanks again, all your input has been appreciated.