Your Green Living Wood Stove Check List

Buying a wood stove is much like buying furniture. As you search online or visit retail hearth and fireplace dealers you find a wide choice of wood stoves, including antique, traditional, classic and modern. While narrowing down your list of favorite designs and styles, you also want to consider the environment.
In addition to researching the right size, heating capacity and look of your wood stove, compare the green qualities of each stove.

Here are five eco-wise tips:

1. Similar to grocery shopping, seek out the equivalent of an “Organic Section” in your local fireplace store to compare eco-wise content among the preferred green-savvy stoves.

2. Look for an eco-friendly seal and a recycled ingredients label that lists the many ways that a stove manufacturer has gone the extra mile to produce the highest quality and most energy efficient wood stove, possible.

3. Only consider approved wood stoves equipped with a non-catalytic combustion system that exceeds EPA standards and are currently tax credit qualified, until December 31, 2010..

4. Download educational videos that demonstrate how to fully realize the renewable benefits of local wood energy, without beginner missteps or old-school methods. There are five free videos that teach how to choose, install, operate, maintain, and fuel your wood stove that are available on http://www.morsona.com, Facebook, and YouTube.

5. Review stove manufacturers’ literature and web sites to learn more about the company’s recycling, clean-burning technology and company-wide conservation practices.

Also, if you are thinking about buying a second-hand wood stove or using a hand-me-down family wood stove, you should know that a 10-year old or older stove might not measure up to today’s EPA standards, which means it’s time to invest in a new high-performance wood stove. This simple change can minimize your carbon footprint, reduce fossil fuel use, lower your heating costs and even enhance your home value.

Morso 5660 and 7644 Share Wall Street Journal Spotlight

Here is a nice Morso testimonial from the October 19th Wall Street Journal article "Drafty Fireplaces Meet Their Match" By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS:

Andrew Weiss took advantage of the credit this spring when he and his partner Marc Osterweil installed a modern wood-burning stove insert from Danish manufacturer Morso into their 105-year-old home's fireplace. "At first we loved it," Mr. Weiss says of the old fireplace. But as fuel costs rose, "I began to wish it were a source of heat versus a source of expense."

Learn more about the Morso 5660 fireplace insert click here

To read complete WSJ article or view slide show click here

Wood Stove Tax Credit Expires December 31st

The Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency is slated to expire on December 31, 2010. Fortunately, last minute tax credit shoppers will find a large selection of Morsø’s tradition to contemporary cast-iron stoves that meet or even exceed the thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.

Not surprising, many homeowners who are eager to add an energy efficient wood stove are heeding the deadline warning and visiting authorized Morso dealers to purchase a qualified wood-burning Morsø stove to save $1500, before it is too late.

To qualify for this credit, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the following qualifications:

➢ To be considered, a stove must use the burning of biomass fuel to heat a dwelling unit or to heat water for use in such a dwelling unit, and have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.

➢ Installation is covered, as long as it is a requirement for the stove’s proper and safe functioning.

➢ This consumer tax credit is 30% (up to $1500) for the purchase and installation of a 75% efficient stove, and is available until December 31, 2010.

➢ The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a new stove, then he will have $600 to purchase additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

➢ If a taxpayer uses the entire $1500 tax credit on a competing product then they cannot use it for a biomass stove in that same tax year.

➢ This credit applies only to existing principle residences.

➢ Manufacturers must provide a certificate of qualification for each product.

➢ Taxpayers must retain the certification statement for tax record-keeping purposes, but the certification is not required to be attached to the tax return;

Whether you’re motivated by the green living benefits of naturally warm wood energy, flame-side ambience, or fall in love with a particular cast-iron wood stove style, this is the right time to buy a new high performance wood stove. Lowering energy costs, supporting local businesses, and taking advantage of a $1500 tax credit, are all great reasons to buy a Morso wood stove today.

Dealer Profile

Rich’s for the Home President Larry Chapman started his wood stove business in 1979 after receiving an encouraging business tip from his sister Ann. Thirty-one years later, his tiny wood stove shop has grown into five Seattle-metro stores selling woodstoves, hot tubs and outdoor furniture. Along the way, his wife Marianne, son Jon and daughter Jennifer became a big part of this thriving family business.

Now in there third season as a Morsø dealer Rich’s for the Home has both a newcomer’s brand perspective, as well as a seasoned hearth dealer experience. To learn more about this dealers wood stove marketing and promotions we talked with son Jon Chapman, who leads corporate operations.

Q: Describe your experience with the Morsø brand?
A: Three years ago we started with four Morsø stoves on display and have now increased inventory to over a dozen different models. We have been pleased with the Morsø sales and continue to have high expectations. In fact, last year we sold out of the 5660 fireplace insert due to high word-of-mouth referrals. This year we built the insert into displays at every location.

Q: How has the economy affected your business?
A: Fortunately, our wood stoves sales have been strong last year and again this year which has balanced out a decline in some of the other product lines. However, the economy has changed the way we market and promote our five locations and brands. We have eliminated some long-standing traditional advertising, such as the Yellow Pages, while ramping up e-mail and internet promotions.

Q: How are you using the internet to market your business.
A: We have a website, blog, and Facebook Fan page. In addition we use Twitter, banner ads, and pay-per-click advertising to increase brand awareness and advertise special offers.

Q: What advertising program do you currently have running? To increase Morsø brand awareness we have been running a TV spot for the last few weeks. I firmly believe that wood stoves are a must-see item so I opted for TV as opposed to radio. Also, in support our TV campaign Morsø US secured a wood stove feature and brand advertising in the September/October Northwest Living Magazine. Additionally, we are planning another “Last Chance for Fair Pricing” promotion, along with ongoing e-mail and internet campaigns.

A: We are also exhibiting 13 Morsø stoves in our 40’ x 80’ booth at the state fair this month. The Puyallup Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington, and ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the US. Over 1.3 million people will be attending this event.