With the recent tax incentives and heating costs predicted to go to all time highs, consumers are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes and asking the question “ when is a wood stove the right option for my alternative heating needs?” The answer to this question starts with researching the expansive information located on AES’s website www.magnumheat.com and the www.hpba.org website.  From there let’s take a look at what is right for you so that you can make a wise decision.

Is a wood stove or fireplace right for you?

The first question to ask yourself is “do I really want to have a wood fire and can my lifestyle accommodate the investment of time”. Most people love a wood fire, the romantic glow and the cozy warmth that will warm you through and through but forget to realize how much work goes into having a wood stove. If the answer is YES to having a readily available wood supply or like dressing up like Paul Bunyan and swinging an axe (or chainsaw), YES to having a safe place to store your wood and dispose of your ashes, YES to fitting in the time to maintain your wood stove and chimney system then you are ready to invest in a cost effective environmentally friendly wood stove, fireplace or fireplace insert for your home.

Ok, so now your excited and ready to jump in your truck (or gas saving hybrid car) and go find a wood burning appliance and have it installed before the weekend. But wait, have you checked to see what the requirements are in your area for emission codes and local burning compliance? Cleaning up our environment and making our planet a safe place to breath is of vital importance. The EPA, appliance manufacturers and local governments have teamed up to make sure that the future of the air we breathe will be clean and healthy. It is important to make sure that your choice of wood burning equipment will meet the requirements of local burning codes so that you will not install that beautiful stove only to find out that there are days that you cannot burn it. So give your local authorities a call to get up to date information on wood burning compliance. MagnuM and Country Flame wood burning appliances are certified to comply with the strictest of air quality standards and our wide variety of product features will certainly complement your home.

Now that you are armed with information on what you can install in your home where do you go from here? There are so many choices, so many different looks and features. Your head is already spinning and everyone seems to have the “right” product for your home. You are asking yourself “how do I find the right product for MY home”? This is where American Energy Systems can help you. Our team of product specialists along with a national network of qualified resellers will be glad to assist you in finding the wood burning appliance of your dreams. It all starts by going to MagnumHeat.com to get your journey to warm nights, cozy beginnings and assurance that you are doing your part to conserve our natural resources and clean up the air we breathe. Now doesn’t that just make you feel warm all over?

photo credit: seantoyer

Do you have a question about your corn stove or wood burning fireplace? Maybe you’d like to talk to an expert technician on a specific topic. If you own a Magnum or Country Flame brand heat source, here is a great forum where people often find answers to their questions before even asking.

Here’s a break-down of topics you’ll find on the American Energy Systems Forum:

• Video Tutorial Library
• MagnuM Biomass / Corn / Multi-fuel Product Line
• Country Flame Biomass / Corn / Multi-fuel Product line
• MagnuM & Country Flame Wood Burning Product Line
• 2nds for Sale
• Qualifying your home, lifestyle and product purchase
• Fresh Air for your Appliance and Home
• Draft Issues for MagnuM & Country Flame Wood Burning Appliances
• Fuel Quality, Fuel types, How to find the right fuel
• Venting requirements
• Fireplace Door Systems

Each of these topics have many sub-categories and get quite specific. The forum has grown into a wealth of information, that many of our heating appliance owners appreciate and rely on.

Never hesitate to contact us. We want you to get the most out of your alternative heating choices!

In the past, purchasing a solid fuel appliance for your home meant increased insurance costs, possible no-burn days and problems on where to store the fuel. Today’s high-tech clean burning appliances have eliminated the need for expensive chimneys that cause most fires and have brought a smile to most insurance companies faces with the reduction in claims.

American Energy Systems (your flex-fuel, corn, and wood stove experts) has been instrumental in providing seminars to insurance companies around the nation to prove that modern day appliances are safe and do not have the problems that the old fireplaces and stoves once had.

Some insurance companies do not charge extra for adding in a Flex-fuel stove, fireplace insert or furnace, while some will charge a small yearly fee. If you are having trouble with your insurance company you can find another insurance company that will write you a policy. There are plenty who would love to work with you and your choice for alternative heating.

It is usually required to contact your insurance company before purchasing a solid fuel appliance. Being proactive will ensure proper coverage of your home and eliminate problems should a problem occur. Your insurance agent will be able to answer your questions and ensure proper coverage.

photo credit: drewgstephens

The traditional smoke on the face of the fireplace brick or stone and the “nice” woodsy smell, bring smiles of familiarity to some and tears to those of us suffering with allergies. So the question that begs for an answer is:

What about burning with corn and other flex fuels, will my allergies suffer?

The answer comes not in the fuel itself but in the technology. The typical Corn/Wood Pellet/Flex-fuel appliance today is designed with closed combustion, a negative draft system (which means that it pulls the fire and smoke through the appliance), a sealed venting system and a direct connect to outside fresh combustion air. These design features separate the smell and corresponding allergy dusts from the interior of the home.

What normally will bring dust and pollens into the home when burning with today’s technology is the handling of the fuel. When you use clean, dry fuel, handle it properly and perform the maintenance features of the appliance, you can enjoy relief from your allergies. Many customers suffering from allergies have stated that when they have installed their MagnuM or Country Flame Flex-fuel appliance that their allergies that flared up from even their old style furnace were reduced by the heat produced from their new unit.

The key to eliminating the effects of solid fuel combustion on the interior environment of your home is proper selection of the right appliance, correct placement and installation of the appliance, proper balancing of the home for fresh air, providing fresh air for combustion to the appliance, clean and dry fuel and proper maintenance of the appliance.

Now you can enjoy the warmth of your new appliance without looking through swollen eyes and a Kleenex.

Bless you!

 
photo credit: |Chris| 

photo credit: mcfarlandmo