The Great Fuel Debate

Wood is the fragrant but fussy fuel. A well built wood fire in a well designed fireplace is a treat on a cold night, but you need to know a bit more then how to turn up the thermostat.First you need a supply of good hardwood like oak, since softwoods like pine burn too fast and the cresote and pitch in pine smoke will accumulate on the sides of your chimney, possibly created a danger of a chimney fire.

Wood must be hauled, split, stacked, and kept dry, then carried inside on dark and often icy nights. You need to know how to build a proper fire, starting with small kindling wood, newspaper or fluid ( I use a kerosene starter), and you must control the draft via the fireplace damper.

Natural Gas or Propane Heaters and Fireplaces

Electric Fireplaces are really just for occasional heat and atmosphere. They are very nice for a carpeted master bedroom or family room where you want a fireplace, but don’t want the mess of lugging in wood or lugging out ashes.

Wood Pellet Stoves and Heaters

Coal stoves – Coal is cheap here in Pennsylvania, and it burns hotter than wood. However, coal has the same storage and smoke problems as wood, plus there really isn’t any such thing as “clean coal”. A coal furnace puts out black gritty sooty dust that gets into everything.