Make sure that new wood stove can be used in Massachusetts
Building inspector Rod Palmer is cautioning residents who are in the market for a wood or pellet stove to make sure the model they purchase can be used in Massachusetts. "What I've found recently is...
View ArticleStay warm with a fireplace insert
Fireplace inserts are a great way to update an existing masonry fireplace. A traditional open-front, wood-burning fireplace usually has an efficiency rating of just 5-10 percent, according to the...
View ArticleConsumer Tax Credit Extended for Biomass Appliances
As part of the "fiscal cliff" package that passed Congress on January 1, 2013, the expired tax credit on energy-efficient biomass-burning appliances was reinstated for 2013. The credit, lobbied...
View ArticleVoucher program swaps junk stoves for healthier, cheaper ones
Massachusetts officials are getting ready to launch a second round of a voucher program to help residents switch out their out-dated wood-, wood-pellet- and coal-burning stoves after the first round...
View ArticleGet your GreenBack: Wood, pellet stoves may save the most
Unlike last winter, this one is shaping up to be more typical for our area. That means a return to high heating bills. But fear not, there are several things you can do to save on heating costs. More
View ArticleImportant tips for buying a wood stove
Trying to cut down on heating costs by buying a wood or pellet stove can seem like an attractive option, but unless you're buying one that's been tested, you could be putting yourself and your home at...
View ArticleGet grilling: 5 easy grilling tips for winter
Even though there is no reason not to fire up the grill in winter, there are some tips for grilling that are specific to the season. Keep in mind these five grilling tips for cooking outdoors in...
View ArticleHow to choose an eco-friendly fireplace
At this time of year, fireplaces tend to be the focal point of many family gatherings, romantic interludes and toe-warming respites. Still, the typical masonry model is not the most efficient or...
View ArticleMassachusetts expands wood stove upgrade program
Just a few weeks after it launched an incentive program to prompt residents to get rid of inefficient wood stoves, Massachusetts is expanding it. The state Department of Energy Resources says it took...
View ArticleWhen to choose wood heat
The significance of wood heat as an energy resource can be seen during a drive through small towns or down country lanes: The long lines of piled firewood in the yards prove that heating with wood...
View ArticleWarm and inviting: Fireplaces become focal points of home, add charm to rooms
One of the main reasons people include fireplaces in their homes is family, says Blaine Lokhorst, manager of fireplace sales and service at Hebron Brick Co. A fireplace can increase the resale value...
View ArticleEESI supports the Wood Stove Decathlon
EESI has joined in support of the Wood Stove Decathlon, sponsored by the Alliance for Green Heat. This wood stove design competition seeks to advance the state-of-the-art, promoting design innovation,...
View ArticleKeep the home fires burning
When temperatures drop outside, a fireplace beckons with a promise of warmth and cozy ambiance. What was once the epicenter of all things food and heat in the days before electricity is still one of...
View ArticleWinter grilling
When the temperatures drop, barbecue lovers turn up the heat. Year-round grilling is making business less seasonal for grill retailers and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada. More
View ArticleMake your patio an extension of your home
If you're like many homeowners, you consider the patio an extension of your home. So it's fair to ask: Would you be just as comfortable nestled in with your favorite book or preparing a meal in your...
View ArticleGas logs are a convenient option to wood-burning fireplaces
In 1984, wood-burning stoves were hot sellers. Gas was perceived to be costly, and wood was abundant and cheap. "Now wood is out and gas is in," said Steve Reynolds, owner of Fireside and Patio Shop,...
View ArticlePellet stoves heating up as oil prices rise
The spike in home heating fuel prices, the bitterly cold weather and a tax credit that went into effect at the start of the year are all incentives pushing many to turn to wood pellets to heat their...
View ArticleExpanding outdoor living space adds value to your home
Even during a challenging economy, the outdoor living trend remains popular as homeowners seek to add lasting value and functional living space under the sky and stars. Whether it's a do-it-yourself...
View Article$300 Biomass Stove Tax Credit Reinstated for 2012 - 2013
A federal tax credit on 75 percent efficient biomass heating appliances, which expired on December 31, 2011, was reinstated by the "fiscal cliff" legislation, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012...
View ArticleTechnology can turn plain old wood stoves into a high-tech heating option
If there's any technology that is old hat, it's got to be the log-burning wood stove. Left behind by its sexier cousin, the pellet stove, it has been reduced to living-room decoration and grubby...
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