With energy prices increasing more homeowners are choosing wood or pellet stoves as alternate heating devices. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires. You can heat efficiently and safely with wood by following recommended procedures and methods. Proper installation, operation and maintenance will help to avoid chimney and wood stove fires.
Another great recourse could be your local fire department or the town’s building code official. We suggest you contact them prior to installing your alternate heating device.
- You should burn only dry, well seasoned wood. Dry wood burns hotter and produces less creosote. Cresosote is a major cauxe of fires. Hardwoods like, Hickory, Oak, Maple or Birch are heavy and dense, providing better heat value.
- The only time kindling wood or newspaper should be used is when you are starting a fire. Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene or lighter fluid as an accelerant. Artificial logs should never be used in your wood stove.
- Pellet stoves have become a popular new heating appliance. The fuel pellets burn very clean and provide a great source of heat. When choosing a pellet stove it is important that the proper type and size appliance be used. You should consult a specialty retailer as they will have trained pellet stove experts on staff.
- Be sure your unit is listed by an approved laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Make sure that your unit is installed by a certified professional using the manufacturer’s specifications. Proper venting is required.
- Both pellet and wood stoves should be professionally serviced prior to each season. The vent/and or chimney should also be cleaned annually by a certified chimney sweep.
FBinsure at any time will be happy to provide you with an installation brochure for your alternate heating device. Insurance companies usually require that you complete a supplemental questionnaire for the alternate heating device is completed and some companies will also charge a small additional premium for the alternate heating device. Be sure you notify your insurance agent of your newly installed stove so that they can make sure you are properly protected.
