N
The Global Insight

Is a wood stove a good investment

Author

Ava Hudson

Updated on April 23, 2026

A wood burning stove can be worth it alone for the increased heat output from your fires compared to using open wood burning fireplaces, and you’ll save on firewood costs in the long run because you can control the fire more effectively in a wood stove to burn more slowly and efficiently.

Does a wood stove increase home value?

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%.

How much money can you save with a wood burning stove?

Heat SourceCost per YearEPA wood stove$1,508Natural gas furnace$1,891Pellet stove$1,987Oil furnace$2,086

Are wood burning stoves worth the investment?

The truth is, wood burners are a long-term home investment. While they do come with a set up cost, they can in fact help you save money in the long term by helping reduce your reliance on rising energy tariffs. Wood burners can add value to your house, too.

Do wood burning stoves have a future?

The main answer is increased efficiency. The future of wood burning stoves will therefore be affected by which configurations and styles produce the least amount of airborne particulate matter. In other words, these stoves will need to adopt a more ecologically friendly design.

Are wood burners cheaper than gas?

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) estimates that a wood burning stove costs about a third of the price of electric heating and approximately 13% less than gas central heating for the average household under the current price cap. This saving will further increase as fuel prices continue to rise, it adds.

Do home buyers want a fireplace?

Many homes with high property values have fireplaces. This is a good indication that fireplaces are desirable for high-end home buyers. When planning your next remodel, don’t overlook the many benefits of fireplaces. They can heat your home in a more efficient way.

What is the lifespan of a wood burning stove?

The average life of a wood-burning stove is 10 to 20 years.

Are wood burning stoves better than open fires?

According to the Stove Industry Alliance, an open fireplace is the wrong way to burn wood. Not only does it release up to 10 times the amount of harmful emissions as a stove, but burning wood on an open fire is far less efficient.

What are the advantages of a wood burning stove?
  • The negative stats are misleading. …
  • Stoves are much more eco-friendly now. …
  • Wood burning stoves use renewable fuel. …
  • Stand up to energy providers. …
  • High efficiency levels. …
  • Boiler stoves can heat your water. …
  • Some stoves can be used in Smoke Control Areas.
Article first time published on

Is it cheaper to heat with wood or electricity?

Studies have shown that burning firewood can be more cost effective than using electricity in terms of the price per amount of heat produced. However, fuel costs will vary between regions and a modern, highly efficient stove will be much more cost effective in the long run compared to older models.

Is it cheaper to heat with wood or oil?

In this example, heating with wood produced 31% more BTUs per dollar over heating with oil, making it 31% cheaper for producing the same amount of heat. That means a huge savings over oil over the course of a whole winter.

Is it cheaper to heat with wood or propane?

In comparison, propane can be purchased for approximately $27.25 per million BTUs, one of the most expensive options for an individual homeowner, with electric heat still notably being more expensive. … Kiln dried firewood is more efficient than seasoned wood, giving off up to 35% more heat.

Are wood stoves going to be banned?

The EPA has banned the production and sale of the types of stoves used by about 80 percent of those with such stoves. … The regulations limit the amount of “airborne fine-particle matter” to 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Will government ban wood burning stoves?

No, there are no plans to ban wood burning stoves. However the Government have developed a Clean Air Strategy which is scheduled to come into force in 2022. This will outlaw the sale of the most polluting fuels and ensure only the cleanest stoves are sold from 2022.

Are log burning stoves going to be banned?

The good news is that no, log burners aren’t being banned, but there have been some changes. The strategy came into law in May 2021, so we’ve broken down what it actually says and what’s going to change.

Will removing fireplace decrease home value?

But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.

What type of fireplace adds the most value?

Any type of fireplace will add more appeal and instant value to your house. Generally speaking, electric units will be your least cost option. Gas models next, followed by wood burning fireplaces. Both equipment and installation costs with gas and wood fireplaces are more than an electric model.

Is a fireplace worth the money?

Having a fireplace won’t hurt your ability to sell your home. … Don’t expect a fireplace to raise your home’s value, but don’t go through the expense and hassle of getting rid of it, either. If you’re an investor rehabbing a home to flip, it’s not worth the cost to add a fireplace to an existing construction.

How much does a wood stove cost to run?

Non-EPA StoveHigh (24hrs/day)Low ($200)$ 1,820.00Low (12hrs/day)High ($600)$ 2,730.00Medium ($400)$ 1,820.00Low ($200)$ 910.00

Are gas fires being phased out?

Gas hobs, cookers, fires and boilers could all be phased out within 15 years, with households dumping appliances. All gas-fired power stations must also close by the mid-2030s, unless they manage to remove CO2 from their emissions. … He said: “Gas cookers will be phased out, probably as soon as possible.

Is a wood burning stove bad for your health?

Indoor wood-burning stoves and heaters may have a quaint and traditional feel, but they produce harmful toxins that can damage your lungs and air quality indoors and outdoors.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a wood burning stove?

The direct answer to the question above is: yes. Your gas, pellet or wood burning stove, insert or fireplace will produce carbon monoxide. All heating appliances should be vented to the outside. This is why it’s always a good idea to have any heating equipment checked by a professional prior to the heating season.

Do you need planning permission to install a wood burning stove?

You do not technically require planning permission to install a wood burning stove, however since 2005 it has been a legal requirement to let your local authority building control department know of your intentions – no matter what type of heating appliance you are installing.

Where is the best place to put a wood burning stove?

The ideal location for a wood stove is close to the center of the area to be heated. This gives the best heat distribution. Avoid locating it near an exterior wall as this increases the heat loss to the outside, and decreases the heat gained from the stove.

What are the disadvantages of burning wood?

  • Burning of wood produces a lot of smoke which is very harmful for human being. …
  • When trees are cut down to obtain wood for use as fuel, then all the useful substances which are obtained from trees are lost.
  • Deforestation is very harmful for environment.

Does a wood burning stove require electricity?

Energy Source: Wood stoves do not require any electricity to operate, making it an ideal backup heating source. … Newer, EPA approved wood stoves are more efficient and clean burning than older and non-EPA approved models so they have less ash and less buildup in the chimney.

What is the cheapest heat source for home?

Natural gas: $1,024 Of the four main fuels used to heat US homes, natural gas is the most popular and now the cheapest, as well.

What is the cheapest way to heat my house?

  • Storage heaters. …
  • Air source heat pumps. …
  • Ground source heat pumps. …
  • Hybrid heat pumps. …
  • Solar thermal panels.

Can you burn wood chips in a wood stove?

Wood chips are an alternative to burning logs to heat homes and buildings. The advantage to burning wood chips rather than logs is that the chips burn almost entirely, leaving very little ash or residue. In order to burn wood chips, the building must be equipped with a wood-burning stove or a fireplace.

Can you convert a wood stove to propane?

Yes, you can convert an existing wood burning fireplace to gas, but it must be that – an existing wood burning fireplace. Wood burning appliances, such as wood stoves, cannot be converted to gas.