For more than a year now, the lead story on newscasts across the country has been rising fuel prices and the affects those prices are having on families nationwide. No longer an aberration, these high fuel costs have forever changed the way people live.

While prices at the pump have garnered the most attention, other expenses, such as home heating costs, have consistently been on the rise as well. For many homeowners, this has sparked a return to simpler times, when less costly home heating options, such as wood, were the primary source of heating for homes. Although some might consider heating a home with wood a bit old-fashioned, that’s not the case at all. In fact, today’s high-tech wood boilers and their cost saving benefits are more popular than ever. Determining if these units are right for you and your home can be done by asking yourself three simple questions.

Is wood heating right for you?

The decision to go with wood heat requires careful consideration. While lower heating bills and the environmentally-friendly nature of wood furnaces are two things many homeowners are looking for, the folks at Greenwood Technologies, the industry leader in high-efficiency wood boilers, recommend that homeowners consider the following factors when thinking about switching to central wood heating.

* Availability of wood. For many homeowners, wood is readily available. For others, identifying a source for log wood presents a challenge and requires the purchase of seasoned wood. Even in these situations, the benefit of heating with wood provides a significant savings over existing monthly utility bills.

* Comfort level with wood. Many people who use or have used a fireplace or wood stove find it easy to operate a wood furnace. With improved performance, today’s efficient models require less frequent loading and maintenance. Although not difficult, the storage and handling of the wood fuel used in these appliances requires attention.

* Local codes. Be sure to check with the local authorities to be certain that a wood furnace complies with local codes.

Will my heating system

accept a central wood

heating system?

Today’s high-efficiency wood heating systems are compatible with most existing heating systems. This includes forced air, baseboard, radiant and in floor, existing boilers, and hot water heaters. For those who like a little luxury, these wood heating systems are even compatible with spas and hot tubs.

How do i know which system to choose?

Today’s high-efficiency wood heating systems offer homeowners more benefits than ever before. As mentioned, many homeowners are simply fed up with rising heating costs, and are most concerned with finding a way to alleviate some of those costs. While wood boilers can save their owners 70 percent or more on their home heating costs, they’re also low-maintenance and low-emission products, making them friends of the environment as well.

For example, Greenwood’s Aspen Series marks the evolution of the wood furnace from the low-efficiency days of yesteryear to the environmentally conscious current climate. Because they burn wood completely, the Aspen Series wood furnaces leave no particles to create smoke or ash.

For those who already have Aspen Series wood furnaces, its simplicity and low maintenance is a close second in terms of benefits. For instance, the series’ Plug-and-Go operation makes them easy to connect to existing outdoor wood furnace plumbing with little or no modifications. Designed to be easily maintainable, Aspen Series furnaces use 60 percent less wood than competing furnaces, making them convenient and cost-effective. Today’s high efficiency wood boilers are an easy and cost-effective way to achieve home heating independence.

For more information on wood boilers and to find a Greenwood dealer, visit www.GreenwoodUSA.com. – Courtesy of MS.

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