Upgrade Your Home With a Freestanding Stove Installed by Halligan’s Hearth & Home

What Fuel Types Can Be Used in a Freestanding Stove?

Freestanding stoves offer versatility in style and fuel options, allowing homeowners to choose the best fit for their heating needs and preferences. At Halligan’s Hearth & Home, we offer two types of stoves – pellet wood-burning and wood-burning. This is what you need to know about each option:

Wood-Burning Stoves
For homeowners with an appreciation for traditional design, a wood-burning stove may be the best appliance for you. Wood-burning stoves are known for creating a nostalgic atmosphere that is enhanced by the comforting sound of crackling logs, the familiar smell of wood, and the visual warmth of the flames.

Looks aside, wood-burning stoves are also a cost-effective heating option – particularly for homeowners with access to affordable or free firewood. Unlike gas or electric heating, wood fuel can be a local and renewable source that takes pressure off of energy costs and environmental impact.

Pellet Wood-Burning Stoves
Pellet stoves offer a combination of efficiency, convenience, and sustainability. Powered by compressed wood or biomass pellets, these stoves burn cleanly and produce consistent heat which reduces emissions and minimizes stress on the environment.

One of the most cited benefits of pellet stoves is their high energy efficiency. Pellets are a dense fuel source that burns more efficiently than traditional wood logs, resulting in lower fuel consumption and a drop in heating expenses.

Pellet stoves are also convenient and easy to use. Many models are built to be low maintenance and feature automated feeding systems, allowing for extended burn times without constant refueling. Thanks to adjustable settings that allow you to regulate heat output to your desired level, you can always enjoy a comfortable heating experience without having to constantly manage your fire.

Do Freestanding Stoves Need a Chimney or Venting?

Regardless of fuel type, freestanding stoves require a venting system to safely remove combustion byproducts such as smoke, gases, and particulates from your home. Breathing in these byproducts can cause respiratory problems, especially for members of your home who have preexisting issues like asthma or COPD. Wood-burning stoves have historically relied on chimneys to channel smoke outdoors through a flue or stainless steel pipe.

While gas and pellet stoves may not always necessitate a full chimney, they still require some sort of venting setup, often through a direct vent system that can be installed through a wall or roof. For convenience and reduced installation complexity, vent-free gas stoves are also available. These stoves are designed to burn fuel cleanly, producing minimal emissions and eliminating the need for external venting. However, local regulations may restrict their use due to concerns about indoor air quality.

Can You Heat an Entire Home With a Stove?

Using a freestanding stove to heat an entire home is possible, but it’s not always easy. Smaller, well-insulated homes can be effectively heated by a wood-burning or pellet stove, especially if it’s placed in a central location to distribute heat to other rooms. However, larger homes or those with multiple floors may require additional stoves or a supplemental heating appliance to ensure even warmth throughout the house.

Some stoves also come with fans to circulate heat better, or they can be connected to ductwork for improved distribution in multi-level homes. While a freestanding stove can be a primary heat source, you may find that you’re getting the most out of it when using it in combination with other heating systems.

Are Freestanding Stoves Environmentally Friendly?

Freestanding stoves can be a greener choice, especially when you choose a modern, efficient model. Wood-burning stoves that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards burn wood more completely and produce less emissions and smoke compared to older models. Pellet stoves are even cleaner, using compressed wood or biomass pellets that burn efficiently with minimal waste.

While gas stoves emit fewer pollutants than wood-burning stoves, they rely on fossil fuels. To maximize environmental benefits, choose a high-efficiency stove, ensure proper installation, and maintain it regularly for clean combustion. Using sustainable fuels like well-seasoned wood or renewable pellets further promotes the stove’s eco-friendliness.

Can I Use a Freestanding Stove During a Power Outage?

As longtime residents of Main Line Philadelphia, we have more experience with power outages than we’d like. We know how difficult daily living can be after a Nor’easter blows through town and knocks out the electricity for several days. A freestanding stove can easily become your most important appliance during power outages, but its effectiveness depends on the fuel type.

Wood-burning and pellet stoves are generally independent of electricity, making them reliable sources of heat when the grid fails. These stoves can provide warmth and comfort even during extended power outages, so you don’t have to worry about light and warmth if you lose electricity during the cold seasons.

Remake Your Space With a Freestanding Stove.

Halligan’s Hearth & Home is dedicated to providing the best installation service and customer care in the Main Line area. Whether you’re looking to install a new stove, upgrade your existing system, or explore our wide selection of high-quality options, our team is here to walk you through the entire process. With more than 30 years of experience in hearth appliance installations, we know that each project is unique. It’s our promise to you that your stove installation is completed with precision, safety, and meticulous attention to detail.

Call us now to set up an appointment at 610-296-8911.