Heating stoves boast renewed popularity—and tax credit

Bill and Debbie Sneller of Midlothian tried burning wood in their fireplace, but the hot air went up the chimney.

They switched to propane and the draft on that didn't work so well, either.

So, they unhooked the propane, sold the tank and recently installed a wood stove insert in their fireplace.

"It could heat the entire house," Debbie Sneller said. "We have a beautiful fire, you can smell the wood burning and hear the crackling -- and the stove makes me feel safe because the fire is contained in this metal box."

Wood stoves are hot again, as people seek to become less reliant on fickle energy costs and make their homes more energy efficient.

People who buy biomass-fueled stoves can cash in on a federal tax credit for a third of the cost, or as much as $1,500. The credit is good through next year for wood-, pelletand corn-burning stoves that meet efficiency standards.

These aren't your standard old wood stoves. All stoves sold today must meet stringent standards for emissions set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Snellers plan to take advantage of the entire tax credit, since the cost for their stove, venting pipe and installation was about $5,000.

It will take years before the cost is justified, Debbie Sneller said. "Our main goal was to be more energy independent and get off the electric grid as much as possible."

The couple also plans to look into solar power as an alternative source.

Energy costs are expected to remain low this year. But they could spike next year and availability could be restricted, Debbie Sneller said.

"We are all trying to be a little green," said Leslie Wheeler, spokeswoman for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association in Arlington County. "Wood and pellets are renewable fuels, and people can save energy by turning down the thermostat and using stoves to heat just the rooms they use."

In general, people can save 20 percent to 30 percent of electrical costs by using wood or pellet stoves, she said.

Wood stoves are more popular than pellet stoves, Wheeler said. Wood can be cheaper than pellets if the user has a supply. But pellets aren't as messy and they don't require chopping, splitting and stoking. "Some people find them more convenient."

The association does not track sales numbers. But shipments of wood stoves to retailers rose 81 percent in 2008 and are expected to be strong again this year, she said, attributing part of the popularity to the tax credit, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Constance A. Maier, owner of Hearth & Home Shoppe of Mechanicsville, said people buying wood stoves want a source of heat that they can control.

"They don't want to be reliant on big companies and their costs," she said.

People in rural areas historically have relied on wood stoves to heat their homes, Maier said. The recent surge in interest seems to be from people living in the city and suburbs -- and a younger demographic, she said.

Business has picked up notably now that the cool weather has kicked in, she said.

"Even in the off season, substantially more people were looking at wood stoves," said Nan Moore, the sales manager at Hearth & Home.

Contact Carol Hazard at (804) 775-8023 or .