Save money and save the earth: Go green and get green
A spike in natural-gas and home heating-oil costs in 2007 and 2008 helped fuel a bigger demand for alternative heating systems like wood, pellet and corn-fired stoves and furnaces, according to the Erie (Pa.) Times-News. And today’s homeowner has not forgotten the big bills last year. They are looking for ways to go green and save some green.“Ever-changing prices are just one reason to rethink the way you heat your home,” said Glenda Ervin, vice president of Lehman’s, in Kidron. “What better what to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels such as oil and gas and be kind to the earth. And if you are in the market for a wood heating stove, now is the time to buy,” she said.
Through 2010, homeowners can quality for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500 if they purchase and install a 75-percent efficient wood or pellet stove. At least 30 percent of the cost of a stove can be reclaimed. And, for a limited time, Lehman’s in Kidron is offering their version of “cash for clunkers.”
“If your old stove qualifies, you can trade it in and save another $250 on the purchase of a brand new, economical and efficient wood or pellet stove,” said Carlos Martinez, major products manager at the sprawling store in Amish country. “These are not your grandpa’s stove,” he said with a laugh, pointing to the classic soapstone and shiny porcelain stoves sprinkled throughout the newly remodeled showroom.
The other reason homeowners are looking to wood heat, of course, is their concern for the environment. “The nice thing about wood stoves is they are fueled by a renewable energy source which also happens to be the cheapest heating source around,” says Ervin. “We have an employee here with three children who has a fairly large home and it only costs him $100 to heat the house the entire winter.”
Depending on the style, size and accessories you choose, a wood stove can cost between $500 and $3,000. Accessories – which can be purchased in an exclusive starter kit at Lehman’s to save even more – include gloves to protect your hands and arms; a tool set; firestarters; glass cleaner; a log tote and a heat-powered fan to pump warm air through your home. And the fuel to run your stove -- fallen trees and chopped-up logs -- is inexpensive and readily available.
In addition to being cost-effective, today’s wood stoves are environmentally friendly. Their fuel is a renewable resource and catalytic converters and advanced non-catalytic technology prevent their smoke from harming the environment. “They are also more reliable than electricity, particularly during an ice storm,” said Ervin. “Even if your power is out for days, a wood stove will keep you warm while you’re waiting for it to come back on.”
There’s also the emotional appeal to take into consideration. “My kids won’t have fond memories of sitting around the furnace, but they will remember the stove we had set up in the family room and all the time we spent together as a family enjoying its warmth,” said Ervin.
To find out more about the wood stoves and accessories available at Lehman’s, call 888-438-5346 for a free catalog, or log on to www.Lehmans.com. The store is in Kidron, but Lehman’s ships to customers in all 50 states.