What to Know Before Adding a Stove or Fireplace to Your Home
September 21, 2021Whether you’re going for ambiance, functionality, or a backup source of heat, adding a wood stove, pellet stove, or gas-burning fireplace can be a great addition to any home. Before you go out and buy a cord of wood or bags of pellets, there are a few things to consider.
Know Your State Laws and Tax Incentives
Right now, you could qualify for a Federal Tax Credit of 26%* More about that special tax incentive here. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Heat Smart Program ensures that all new solid fuel burning devices meet Oregon standards. Additionally, residents can apply for state tax credits for certain wood and pellet stoves. Similarly, the Washington Department of Ecology regulates stove emissions and assesses a fee on every new device. The stove experts at Coastal know all of these regulations and will be there to help you navigate your options.
Get all the necessary details here.
Heating Needs
How big of an area do you need to heat? Take note of the square footage of the area and bring that with you to your nearby Coastal store. Manufacturers, as well as government agencies, use British Thermal Units (BTUs) as a way to measure the heat a stove or fireplace produces. Thankfully, most manufacturers also list out the heating capacity in square feet.
To estimate your needs in BTUs, a stove rated as 60,000 BTU can heat a 2,000 square-foot home. Smaller units cover areas of 600 to 1,000 square feet, and larger ones can cover 3,000 square feet or more. Simply put, it takes around 3,000 BTUs to heat 100 square feet of space.
Measure Twice (Maybe Three Times)
Measure the area where your stove or fireplace will go. If you are installing a stove into an area where a fireplace currently resides, measure the entire area, including the hearth and fireplace box. Also, measure the entire area where you want to place the stove or fireplace to ensure you will be up to building code, such as specific rules for ventilation. The more measurements you bring with you the better.
You’ll also need to measure the ceiling height. That’s because the height of the ceiling plays a big role in calculating your BTU needs. You’ll find most units calculate using 8’ ceiling measurements. If your home has vaulted or higher ceilings, you might require a stove with more BTU.
Bring those dimensions along with a few sketches and photos to your nearby Coastal and we’ll work with you calculate your needs.
Geography is Important
The Pacific Northwest is a diverse place. If you’ve spent a few winters in your area, you already know if you need more or less heat to keep your family comfortable.
Careful with the Television
Electronics and heat don’t always mix. If you’re thinking about mounting a flat-screen television over your fireplace or stove, realize there could be some issues. First, some gas-burning fireplaces are vent-free, which means more heat radiating from the unit. Additionally, if you plan to hide the television cords, there is often a 2-inch clearance requirement between wires and your fireplace or chimney.
Coastal Tip: Before installing the television, mount a thermometer to the wall. If you continually get readings over 90 degrees, you could damage your television.
If you have no option but to put the television over the stove or fireplace, be sure to add a mantle to displace some of the direct heat.
Types of Stoves and Fireplaces
Your three basic choices are wood, pellet, and gas-burning stoves and inserts. Each has their own advantages. For example, gas-burning models are easy to operate and very clean, while pellet stoves can create a lot of heat very efficiently. Get to know your options at your nearby Coastal Farm & Ranch.
Installation is Not “Next Day”
It can take weeks to measure out your area, find the right stove, and get it professionally installed. While we don’t install your stove or fireplace for you, we will introduce you to certified installers we know and trust who will work as fast as they can to meet your needs.
Coastal Has Your Heating Options
The people in the heating and cooling department of your Northwest Owned and Operated Coastal Farm & Ranch know all about stoves and fireplaces. They’re always ready to discuss burn rates, emissions, hopper capacities, and ventilation. We’ve been helping folks like you choose the right model for years. We also offer affordable financing that works with your family budget.