burn brighter and smarter
When shopping for a new home heating option, many buyers are drawn to wood heaters for the cosiness that comes from having a real fire in their home, while other homeowners are searching for a unit that is not only energy efficient, but also cost effective! If you do decide to go with a wood heating option, it is a great way to be kinder to the environment while also being kinder to your pockets. In fact, a typical wood heater user spends only half as much on winter heating, compared to homes with heating options such as gas or electric.
Below, we outline how you can save money with your wood heater, while also adding value to your property.
Choose the right wood heater.
When searching for a good heating investment, it is important to purchase a unit which meets the current Australian Standards. Typically, the rule is that the older the wood heater, the less efficient it will be. The less efficient a wood heater is, the more fuel the unit will need to burn effectively to heat your home. Choosing to invest in a wood heater that is new and up to date will allow you to get a cleaner and more efficient burn, which will save you money in the process.
Choosing the right fuel.
Does the fuel you burn really matter? The simple answer is yes, regardless of whether you cut your own wood or purchase it, it is important to make sure that all the logs are split, well dried, with a moisture content no higher than 20 percent. This is because wet wood is slower to burn, meaning that the energy from your wood heater goes into drying out the moisture, instead of heating a room. This can be a problem as you will need to run your wood heater on a higher setting for a longer period to get your heater working efficiently, in turn costing you more.
Another tip is to store your wood at home, as timber prices continue to rise, purchasing in advance will allow you time to budget your heating bills in advance, while also allowing enough time for your wood to properly season. The cost of wood has increased like most resources used to heat homes, but it is still cheaper to heat with wood than alternative heating options.
Installation costs.
Correctly installing your wood heater will allow you to get the most from your unit and stop you from burning up your wood too quickly. Adding a wood heater to your property is a great investment and in time will be worth more than the initial costs of the set-up process. A wood heater is an appealing feature to any home and home buyers today search for homes with modern heating systems. Installing a wood heater can add significant value to your property when you do decide to sell.
Size of your wood heater.
You will also want to make sure you choose the right sized wood heater for your living space. If you purchase a wood heater that is too small, you will be running it constantly, which will end up costing you more! Wood heaters that are too large can mean the fireplace is constantly shut down which can lead to creosote build-up and inefficient burning. Ideally, you will want a wood heater that can run on a medium setting when you’re home and turned on low when you go to sleep.
If you are in the market for a wood heater, consider contacting The Australian Home Heating Association for advice. Our members have heating options ranging from freestanding, convection, and radiant wood heaters. All models come equipped with the latest technology, so you will have no trouble keeping your home cosy and you might even save money in the long run.
