To combat rising home heating costs, Nebraskans may turn to wood stoves as an alternative to gas or electric furnaces, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln forester said Tuesday.
Wood stoves are offered in a variety of prices and types, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on quality and efficiency of the stove, said Dennis Adams, a forester with the Nebraska Forest Service at UNL.

"Wood burning stoves may not only save people money on their heating bills this winter, but also are a clean alternative to electric or gas furnaces," Adams said. "However, if purchasing a wood burning stove this season, don't just go out and buy one without doing your homework."

Adams said wood stoves should be made of sturdy material, such as cast iron or steel. Modern, airtight stoves are the most efficient. Buyers also should consider the ease of loading firewood into and removing ash from the stove.

Scott Josiah, state forester with the Nebraska Forest Service at UNL, said there also are environmental benefits to using wood heat. Wood heat produces little pollution and is environmentally friendly, especially when wood is used in a high-efficiency wood burning stove and where firewood is a readily available resource.

"Firewood is a renewable resource that can be harvested from low-quality trees in woodlands, leaving the best trees and improving the overall quality of our forests," Josiah said.

High-density hardwoods, such as hickory, honey locust, ash and oak produce more heat than softwoods, such as spruce, cedar or pine and lower-density hardwoods, such as cottonwood, Adams said.

Adams said there are many factors to consider when determining the cost-efficiency of wood heat use. The amount of money saved by using wood heat as opposed to gas or electric heat will depend on the type and efficiency of the wood stove, type of wood burned, and the size, insulation and desired temperature of the area to be heated.

If using a wood burning stove this winter, be sure to use caution to reduce risks associated with wood burning stoves, Adams said. This includes proper placement and maintenance of the stove and its components.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, wood stoves should be three feet from walls and other flammable items, such as furniture and curtains.

The stove, stovepipes, connectors and chimney should be properly installed to ensure the stove functions properly and fire risk is reduced.

Wood stoves must be installed according to local building codes, Josiah said.

For proper installation or to ensure a wood stove is working properly, be sure to follow the manufacturer's guide or contact a wood stove or fireplace professional.

Also, be sure to clean chimney and stovepipes at least once every heating season. Creosote, a sticky, tar-like substance, can build up inside stovepipes and chimneys. If left unclean, the creosote can ignite and start a fire. Contact a local chimney cleaning service to keep chimneys clean and safe.