Guess How Long a New Wood Stove Can Burn

We beat them with technology again! The EPA has upped the ante on how clean wood stoves must burn. There are new stoves out there as of last year that will burn up to 30 hours!

Manufacturers have figured out how to build hybrid wood stoves. These are available as wood stoves or inserts. The way they work is to have two ways to burn the smoke. New wood stoves and inserts, the ones that have hybrid technology, burn mainly the smoke. The smoke first travels through secondary burn tubes within the stove. Then the remaining smoke is burned in the catalytic combustors. The effect is an extremely long burn time with virtually no visible smoke whatsoever coming out of your chimney system. These new wood stoves will burn approximately 33% less wood than a regular catalytic wood stove. If you are thinking of replacing your old wood stove you may burn

over 50% less wood.

Now the good news! The government likes these stoves so much you can get a tax credit!

The Hearth Patio Barbecue Association announced this in one of their recent newsletters.

"Beginning in 2023, consumers buying highly efficient wood or pellet stoves or larger residential biomass heating systems may be eligible to claim a 30% tax credit – capped at $2,000 annually – based on the full cost (purchase and installation) of the unit. The credit runs through December 31, 2032. The 10-year term and 30 percent credit have been big components of HPBA’s advocacy push of the Biomass Thermal Utilization (BTU) Act over many years."

Top Hat Chimney Sweep's is heavily involved with government affairs for our industry. We all want to see cleaner air and more efficient appliances. Jeff Simmons, the founder of Top Hat Chimney Sweeps, helped lobby for the tax credit. He was able to talk to Alabama's senators and congressman to lobby for this much needed legislation.

The tax credit covers only those stoves that are the most efficient. There are stoves that qualify that are freestanding as well as inserts. Most pellet stoves also qualify for the tax credit.

You do need to be careful when you choose one of these new stoves. Some manufacturers rushed to meet the new requirements and the stoves do not operate very well. There have been complaints of not being able to get the fire started and maintaining a fire. You do need to realize that these new stoves burn the smoke. Green wood will not work in any of these stoves. It's like pouring water in your gas tank. It's very hard to burn the gas vapors when they are full of moisture. Contrary to what our grandfather's said, new wood stoves burn longer with dryer wood.

Consider stopping by our retail showroom located at 1280 Financial Court, Auburn, Alabama 36830 to get an idea of the products available or just schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can contact us at www.tophatchimmeyalabama.com or call us at 334-750-5897.