Dynamic New Ownership Rejuvenates Portland, Oregon Dealership

Photo: Sherry Woods owner of Homestead Stove Company

Homestead Stove Company [www.homesteadstove.com] in Portland, Oregon has been selling beautiful heat since 1977, and is now in the midst of exciting changes. Coming off a banner 2010 sales year, this thriving wood stove and English fireplace business was acquired in February by Sherry Woods, a trusted employee and friend to long-time owners Carl and Gail English.

With a passion to carry on the beautiful heat mission that makes customers feel good and equipped with 20 years retail hearth experience, Woods is ready to take this flourishing business to the next level.

Understanding that 95% of her new customer-base has researched wood stoves on the internet, Woods has set the wheels in motion for a website upgrade and social media presence. While her virtual store gets remodeled the retail location is chock full of Morso wood stoves so that these web savvy explorers can see, touch and compare. Woods explains, “We display practically every Morso wood stove available to give our customers face-time with a wide choice of stove sizes and styles”.

A definite advantage of doing business in one of the nation’s greenest cities is that her customers highly value energy conservation and as a result Morso wood stoves and fireplace inserts are top sellers. “Many of my customers are looking for a small stove to fit into 100 year old historic homes or to supplement the primary furnace with wood zone heating”, notes Woods. “The Morso 1410 and 1440 squirrel stoves are very popular here, along with the 6100-series stoves.”

Since taking the helm, after working at Homestead Stove Company for three years, Woods is charting an ambitious course that includes reaching out to the areas business community through membership in civic organizations and networking activities, in addition to jumping into the online social media mix with a Facebook page and likely a blog. Woods also plans to promote her business and products at fairs and home improvement events.

We congratulate and welcome Sherry Woods to our extended Morso dealer family, and look forward to continuing success at the Homestead Stove Company.

Tax Credit Extension Gives an Extra Green $$ Incentive to Purchase a New Morso Wood Stove

With our US wood stove and fireplace insert models qualified for the IRS consumer tax credit, Morso Energy Efficient Wood Stoves, along with our large network of authorized dealers, certainly welcome the Federal Bio-Mass Tax Credit extension that provides a 10% tax credit up to $300 for the purchase of a new biomass heating appliance in 2011.

This tax credit extension was part of the $858 billion tax package that President Obama signed into law on Friday, December 17. By extending this tax credit, Congress signaled its support of the renewable fuel industry.

The 2011 Federal Bio-Mass Tax Credit now includes a 10% consumer tax credit (up to $300) for the purchase of 75%-efficient bio-mass burning stoves (i.e. energy efficient Morso wood stoves or fireplace inserts).

To qualify for the tax credit the following criteria needs to be met:

• The credit is for biomass heating appliances, including wood stoves, pellet stoves, pellet inserts, and wood-burning fireplace inserts.
• The appliance must be installed in an existing primary residence, not a new house or rental property.
• The stove or insert must have a minimum efficiency rating of 75% as certified by the manufacturer. All US Morso Energy Efficient Wood Stove models qualify.
• The appliance must be an EPA approved biomass stove. All Morso wood stoves are approved by the EPA.

While this Tax Credit can be applied to the purchase of a wood stove or fireplace insert, installation costs are no longer allowed. It is recommended that homeowners keep the manufacturer’s certificate and invoice from the installer to give to their accountant and keep for their records.

Fluctuating Heating Oil Costs Propel Wood Stove Zone Heating

Europeans have traditionally used two or three home heating sources, while Americans opted for a single source heat. In response to renewed interest in sustainable energy, energy-efficiency tax incentives, and concerns related to increasing home heating oil costs, growing numbers of US and Canadian homeowners are adding high performance zone heating wood stoves to their primary and secondary homes.

This warming home-design trend can be seen in leading shelter and lifestyle magazine features with glowing Morso wood stoves - which are designed specifically as a secondary zone heating source to heat 800 to 1,400 ft” areas- photographed in historic farmhouses, modern seaside escapes, and cozy family homes across the nation and world.

No doubt, where one lives or retreats significantly influences the size and model of their stove or fireplace insert. Heating a 1000sq ft space in Maine is very different than heating a similar area in Texas or Georgia. Nevertheless, the house warming improvements and saving are what count. Wood stove owners who have selected a stove for zone heating, typically realize an energy cost savings of 20 -30%.

To determine the energy savings a hearth product can provide use the HPBA fuel efficiency calculator- click here

Morso 5660 Fireplace Inserts Deliver Real Warmth with Beauty

The hearth makeover trend is in full force with new and long-time homeowners looking to optimize the heat potential of their fireplace without losing the naturally beautiful view of the flames. As a result, dealers nationwide are reporting that the Morso 5660 fireplace insert has become a very popular – in-demand- wood stove option for homeowners looking to update their inefficient open fireplaces or replace an out-dated wood stove with an advanced energy efficient wood stove fireplace insert.

Rustic yet elegant, this mighty wood-burning fireplace can heat an area up to 2000 square feet. House-warming features include a convection system which ensures optimum heat distribution in the room, large combustion chamber that can take logs of up to 20”, and an outer ribbed to increase its surface area thereby increasing the effectiveness of natural hot convection.

Also, to avoid leaving homes without built-in fireplaces out in the cold, Morso offers the Morso Zero-Clearance Enclosure. Sold separately from the 5660 fireplace inserts and requiring the installation of a class A chimney, the Morso Zero Clearance Enclosure is available in two versions and is designed, tested, and approved for use solely with the Morsø 5660 Std & 5660 NA fireplace Insert models.

Design and function dovetail seamlessly in Morso’s 5660 fireplace wood stove inserts. To learn more about these high performing wood stove fireplace inserts visit www.morsona.com

Memorable Morso Wood Stove Moments

Photo caption:
This charming picture of a Morso 3450 wood stove with natural soapstone sides was taken in the Eisler home in New Hampshire.

“THANK YOU! We purchased a Morso 3450 with the soapstone sides last fall and have used it everyday. We are heating a 2800 sq. ft. home with it. We keep the gas heat thermometer set at 55°F and it just doesn't come on. It is the center of our home, lovely to look at, wonderful to watch, and like a warm hug constantly......” Susan Eisler, New Hampshire

As you can see from the warm note above, a Morso wood stove shares more than just heat. Like Susan, many Morso stove owners find themselves describing their favorite cast-iron stove like a good friend, a trusted source of comfort that is loved for its sound, look, and warmth.

There are also specific features that attract and inspire Morso owners. For some it’s the original design, others like the wood stove’s green-friendly impact and the fact that they are created from 98% recycled cast iron. However, with out a doubt, most owners love to talk about the efficiency and heat output of their Morso cast-iron wood stove and the pleasurable experience that it brings to their home, cottage or camp.

About the Morso 3400-series
We designed the 3400-series cast iron wood stoves together with the well-known English design company, Queensbury Hunt Levien, retaining the classic Morso lines and stylish look, while also integrating an advanced combustion system. The wide door with large stove lass provides a wonderful view of the flames, helping to create both mood and heat in the home. The stove is available with smooth convention panels or beautiful natural soapstone.

Thinking Green 2011

In this new year with glowing possibility, Morso Energy Efficient Wood Stoves will carry on its tradition to handcraft high-quality cast iron products using 98% recycled material, while also working to surpass strict environmental standards and improving efficiencies with conservation-driven actions.

Thinking Green MISSION
With everything we do- from manufacture to delivery- we consider
our environment and new ways in which we can further
carry out recycling, conservation, and sustainable practices.

Dealer Profile

“Another GOOD Year…Steady, Reliable Sales….we’re anticipating a 15% increase in wood stove sales over last year”, these positive comments are not wishes they are based on real business results at Rocky Mountain Stove & Fireplace in Lakewood, Colorado.

Founded in1989, Rocky Mountain Stove & Fireplace was acquired in 1999 by long-time employee Ryan Carpenter and expanded over the years to display the largest selection of stoves, fireplaces and barbecues in the Denver Metro Area. Over 23 Morso wood stoves are available, as they have become a popular contemporary wood stove choice, as well as a green living favorite. Stoves have been give center stage, as opposed to signage as Carpenter wants to create a living-room environment the radiates warmth.

When asked what factors contribute to his business’ continual growth and increased profitability, Carpenter attributes this positive momentum to his company’s outstanding repeat customer base and a solid referral network: “We highly value our long term customer relationships and always deliver on price and service.”

While Carpenter does some advertising online and in print, along with monthly SEO (Search Engine Optimization), he has tracked primary sales generation to existing relationships. Moreover, emails have become the preferred method of communication for customer relations and an easy way for sales contacts to develop a connection to new store visitors and professionals.

Also, this dealer’s website - rockymountainstove.com – serves as an online showplace with detailed product descriptions, specifications, and images. The ongoing SEO investment has secured top ranking and access to a wide-reaching customer base. In addition, Rocky Mountain Stove & Fireplace is now experimenting with social media communications that include a News Blog, Green Living wood burning stoves Blog, and even Facebook Fan page.

Carpenter believes that consistency, top-notch customer service, and long-term customer contact are the essential ingredients to his retail success