Burn, Baby, Burn Wood

Back when Henry David Thoreau coined the phrase ‘Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice’, as attributed to a quote from Walden, people didn’t have many other alternatives to heating their home. That isn’t the case anymore, but burning wood has remained a reliable and rewarding way to stay cozy in the cold. Here are a few reasons why:

Thoreau Was Right

There’s something deeply satisfying about heating your home with wood. Carrying logs into your house and knowing exactly where they came from fills a person with pride. So does seeing a well-stacked cord, or gently coaxing a flame to life. And don’t get me started on what a great workout it all is- I still have biceps from hauling heavy logs around, and it’s been quite a while since my last wood stacking session. A wood stove isn’t just an appliance; it’s a way of life.

It’s Cost Effective

Throughout most of Alaska burning wood is the cheapest way to warm your house. You don’t have to pay to tap into a natural gas grid or for electricity to be wired out to you. If you’ve got the time and tools, you might not even pay for your wood. Imagine getting a lower utility bill in the middle of winter. Sounds crazy, but it can be as easy as choosing between a Kuma or a Quadra-Fire. 

You’re Off the Grid

Alaska is the land of extremes, and sometimes that means extreme difficulty with infrastructure. Every year earthquakes, wind storms, and crazy winters keep houses from connecting with their heat sources, and every year wood stoves pick up the slack. Even if wood is your secondary source of heat, it’s always great to have as a backup when the lights flicker out and cold air starts seeping in. 

Your Realtor Loves It, Too

For the reasons above and many more, having a wood fireplace or stove increases the value of your home. Turn your television to HGTV and you’re bound to hear “Ooh, and there’s a fireplace!” Even if the next buyers aren’t planning on using it for heat, they’re likely to enjoy a night in front of the dancing flames, and they’re willing to pay the extra money for it. 

Wood is the gift that keeps on giving. A stove or fireplace is likely to pay itself off multiple times over, not only because it warms you twice, but because it keeps you from paying for gas, from buying an expensive generator in the middle of a power outage, and it returns your money to you when you finally part ways. It’s a good deal, and it makes for a great addition to any home.