Extended Fireside View Illuminates Morso 8188 Wood Stove

While we think all of our antique, classic and modern wood stove designs are amazing, The Morso 8188 - pictured above as our blog showcase wood stove- offers an extra special side view of the flames. With its wide and beautifully shaped glass windows, contemporary pedestal mount, and high-quality 98% recycled cast iron form, our 8188 is an all-around home-enhancing delight.

The Morso 8188 represents an expansion of the 8100 series – with exclusive side windows. It’s easy and intuitive to use, with single-handed control for clean combustion and regulated heat output. Based on the convection principle, this wood-burning stove offers incredibly clean and efficient combustion and is an ideal wood stove choice for heating living areas of up to 1200 sq ft.

You can learn more about the 8188’s specifications and technical details at Morsona.com.

More Homes Adopt Wood heat

Data from the 2010 Census has confirmed a shift in home heating. According to an Associated Press article title -

Wood heat heats up as homeowners give boot to oil

- “Oil consumption has fallen as homeowners have found other sources of fuel, with wood being the fastest-growing alternative, according to census figures.”

The fact that energy efficient wood stoves have been gaining favor to lower home heating costs has been a quiet under-the-radar movement. With the publication of the 2010 census stats we can now see that households with primary wood heating increased 1/3 to close to 2.4 million.

This is really not surprising as many rural and suburban families have less money to spend and can no longer afford higher-than-expected heating bills. Locally-grown wood can be purchased in advance at a lower cost than oil.

Another motivator is that home-energy conservation, green building and weatherization improvements are now considered a priority. Nonetheless, let's not forget that a wood stove fire is also a really cozy and enjoyable heating experience.

Energy-Saving Game Plan: Convert Drafty Open Fireplace into Heating Zone

According to a recent Chicago Tribune article Get more from your fireplace, “an open-masonry fireplace might be only 15 percent efficient. But if there is no fire and the damper is left open, it can have a negative efficiency as warm air escapes.”

Hard-hitting homeowners, who have endured unexpected cold snaps followed by expensive fossil fuel bills, can step up their game by converting their open fireplace into a high-performance heating zone with a Morso fireplace insert.

Even homeowners without chimneys or fireplaces can score energy savings with a double play using both the Morsø Zero Clearance Enclosure and the Morso 5660 wood-burning fireplace insert. The Morso 5660 Zero-Clearance Enclosure is designed to be framed into the home. This is a popular choice for homeowners looking to update their homes with the advanced technology of a Morso 5660 fireplace insert and class A chimney.

Dealer Profile: Albuquerque Patio and Hearth Co

[Photo caption: The Patio and Hearth Co team includes: from left to right in photo Bill Esch, Cindy Esch, Robert Tecumseh, and (not in photo) Kip Wills

Bill Esch at Patio and Hearth Co has always been a fan of European design, not only in heating appliances, but in the world of architecture and automobile design. Which is why, he jumped on the opportunity to become a Morso dealer. Now Morso wood stoves hold the marquee spot in this family-owned Albuquerque, New Mexico retail establishment.

According to Esch, Morso is one of the finest examples of function and design in the industry. He predicts Morso will quickly grow to be their strongest wood stove product line. Patio and Hearth Co now has at least four Morso wood stove models on the floor at all times. Presently, the centerpiece display includes the 8188, B2, 6148, 2110, 3610, and the 5660 fireplace insert.

In fact, the very first wood stove seen on entering Patio and Hearth Co is the beautiful cast iron Morso 8188. Esch explains, “The Morso stoves and fireplace inserts create a lot interest, how could customers not comment on their fantastic design”. As it turns out a good number of customers who come in looking for hearth or chimney supplies are immediately attracted to the Morso displays and begin to think about updating their wood stove with a new high efficiency Morso wood stove.

When asked to share a key ingredient in their business success formula, Esch cites knowledge and patience. “Many of our customers came to us after shopping at our competitors and the feedback we hear is that they sought us out because no one else took the time to explain how wood stoves work.”

Patio and Hearth Co features only the highest quality products which are backed by knowledgeable staff, customer service, technical support, and manufacturers’ warranty. You can visit their 7,500 sq. ft. showroom at 11030 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. You can call Patio and Hearth Co at (505) 294-4430.

Good Tidings

PASSIONATE TEAM WORK = STAYING POWER

As we look back over this economically challenging year, we are both relieved and pleased to find our Morso USA & North America glass quite full of good tidings that strengthen and empower the Morso brand and our extended network of retail hearth dealers.

To start, we have recently expanded our US family with the addition of sales representatives Rodger and Joe Holland from Holland & Hearth. This highly motivated father and son team cover Iowa, Wisconsin, the upper peninsula of Michigan, Minnesota, as well as North and South Dakota. What's more, six new dealers have joined the fold! Please join us in welcoming the following dealerships: Method Homes, Seattle WA, Patio and Hearth Co, Albuquerque NM, Rich's Portable Cabins, North Powder OR, Mountain Home Stove & Fireplace, Steamboat Springs CO, Abb Stove LLC, Salem OR, and American Home Fireplace & Patio, West Salem WI.

Another impressive accomplishment this year is the success of our Danish Dealer Trip. In August, thirty high-achieving dealers and sales representatives traveled to the Isle of Mors to experience what sets Morso apart - high quality standards, responsible green manufacturing practices, and dedicated craftspeople.

Last but not least, a recent HPBA hearth industry report revealed that unlike other wood stove manufacturers, Morso is holding strong and bucking a downward sales trend. This staying power can be attributed to many passionate people:

 Craftspeople in Denmark who build our high-performance cast iron Morso Energy Efficient Wood stoves.

 Dedicated dealers and sales representatives who bring Morso wood stoves to large and small communities all across the USA and in Canada.

 Our first-class TN-based customer service and management team.

 Loyal Morso wood stove owners who recommend Morso wood stoves to friends, family and clients, who blog about their warm experience, and share Morso wood stove tips via social media.

We are very grateful that our Danish-designed energy efficient wood stoves continue to be warmly received and look forward to continued success in 2012.

Happy New Year!

Hold the Key to Eco-Wise Wood Stove Efficiency

What’s nice about a wood stove is that you can burn many kinds of naturally cut wood to take advantage of your local resources. However, your preferred wood choice must be not be too green, it has to be dry enough to be deemed well-seasoned, with a moisture content of 16-20%. To be precise you may want to purchase a digital moisture meter.

The key to wood burning success is planning. Before you strike a match, learn how to maximize heat output in an environmentally-friendly manner by watching this easy-to-follow wood quality educational video.

You should also schedule your wood delivery in advance to dry out during the warm summer months. If you are collecting fallen limbs and branches from your property, move them to a dry well ventilated location. Look up the required log length and size in your user manual before cutting, and split to a thickness of no more than 4”.

Be sure to stack and store your wood under a cover in an airy place for 9-18 months. Soft woods may actually take as little as one good hot summer to properly season, whereas harder woods, such as oak and maple, take longer.

Never, ever burn waste materials such as cardboard packaging, glossy magazines, or waste wood that has been painted or treated in some way. These wood by-products are likely to contain chemicals that are harmful.

All five Morsø educational videos are conveniently available on YouTube or Facebook.

Green Wise Bloggers Warm to Morso 7110

[photo caption: Amy and Monty with their dog Jake in front of their radiant 7110 cast iron wood stove ]

This blog was written by new Morso 7110 owners Amy and Monty who gave us permission to publish their Metro to Mountain Journal review and emailed us a kind note "we love the stove."

Morso Stove
The Heat is On

Over the past few years, we have been dedicated to keeping our winter thermostat setting at sixty degrees. Now, that doesn't sound like it's very cool, but our friends who visit us know that they need to bring a jacket!
Well, no longer! This year for Thanksgiving we will be able to eat sans down jacket! We have our Morso Stove installed and heating the house.

A few years back we stopped by (n)habit's booth at Earth Day. They were a Morso dealer and displayed brochures on the Morso company. Earth Day was in the spring but we still remembered how cold the house felt. Amy led the research into the company. She wanted to buy from a green company and wanted a low emissions stove.

This fall we visited the (n)habit store and met Rachel and Edward. They led us through the stove buying process. After we had decided on the Morso company, we had to decide what type and style of stove to buy and then who was going to install it.

After pestering Rachel and Edward for a few weeks, we finally decided on the Morso 7110, a radiant stove that "offers Scandinavian Design with an American Twist!"

The installation was not quite that easy. The person Rachel and Edward originally recommended was injured and not taking any jobs. Edward searched and found Sweeps and Ladders for us. Tommy Nelms of Sweeps and Ladders is a fireman who does chimney work on the side. He came out and looked at the stove and chimney and gave us a reasonable and fair bid.

Patiently, we waited for the installation day. Then, there was heat! The installation was flawless and soon the living room was warm. Yes, we are happy.

Wednesdays are normally the Metro to Mountain gear review day. We don't really classify our new Morso Stove as gear but we thought it would interest some.

So, a few Morso Stove notes ...

* The Morso site had videos that answered many of our questions.
* We harvest our own wood. Our primary source is dead limbs or trees from the neighborhood.
* We enjoy the cutting and splitting process. It is a lot of work but the activity is healthy for us.
* Our stove fits perfectly on our hearth and perfectly framed by the fireplace opening.
* The stove uses only a small fraction of the wood that we used to burn in the fireplace.
* The ash pan makes it easy to clean the ashes from the stove.
It took us a couple of fires before we learned how to best build a starter fire.
* We have had to make adjustments on the cut size of the wood.
* We also bought the glass hearth plate to protect the floor in front of the stove, we love it!

Our thermostat is still set at 60 degrees. However, when we are using the stove, the temperature rises to the 70's.

A concern is that the kitchen and bathrooms (places with pipes) might need warming - the rooms are not close to the stove. We are monitoring the temperatures in those rooms.

Edward and Rachel from (n)habit were great to work with and offered us a lot of advice.

We were also very happy with Tommy and Beka from Sweeps and Ladders. We already have an inspection and cleaning scheduled for next fall.

Oh, and if you listen closely you might hear a round of cheers from our family and friends for finally buying a Morso Stove! The heat is on.

Happy Morso Stove trails

Vermont Dealer Earns Return Trip to Morso DK Factory

Photo caption: Ray & Susan Plagge, owners of Montpelier Stove and Flag Works in Montpelier and Williston, VT, look on as a Morso DK employee demonstrates handcrafted wood stove construction.

Ray and Sue Plagge eagerly embarked on the Denmark dealer trip journey to, once again, partake in the ultimate hearth education adventure and fabulous Morso DK hospitality.

As returning guests, it seems that these Montpelier Stove & Flag owners have mastered the art of selling Morsø wood stoves, however this was not always the case.

As Ray recalls, they were at first reluctant to even carry the Morso line in their Montpelier and Williston retail stores because many of the stoves did not burn the standard 16” log. However, in time the persistent reps at Hearthlink hammered home the Morso benefits and now Montpelier Stove & Flag displays at least 9 different Morsø wood stoves and have achieved high enough sales levels to earn several Morso Denmark incentive trips.

While one might think the cold and woodsy green mountian location would make it easier to sell a Morso wood stove, Ray describes a more difficult sales environment that requires a patient sales approach, education, good consistent service, and great retail locations.

“In a cold state like Vermont where homeowners are acustomed to large wood stoves, we have to re-educate our customers so the discussion is not about the log size but the right stove for their particular situation”, explains Ray. “While many folks still want a large traditional stove that uses larger logs, we also serve plenty of bed and breakfast customers and home owners who recognize Morsø and like the selection.”

When asked what sets Montpelier Stove & Flag Works apart from other Vermont hearth dealerships, Ray confidentially states that his full-service Montpelier Stove & Flag Works store has been around since 1976 and good service gets noticed.

To learn more about Montpelier Stove & Flag Works vist www.stoveandflagworks.com

2011 Morso Dealer Trip: Ultimate Hearth Education Adventure

On August 28th, 30 US and Canadian dealers, manufacturer representatives, and guests traveled to Denmark for an event-packed Danish Dealer Week excursion. Morsø has sponsored this Dealer Week promotion every couple of years as a sales incentive. It is also the ultimate hearth education adventure.

In past years, many dealer trip participants reported higher Morsø sales after returning from Denmark because the trip sparked passion and loyalty. Meeting the craftspeople and seeing the assembly process helps the dealers to better communicate the unique Morsø wood stove qualities - construction methods, skilled craftsmen, high efficiency standards, and wide-range of stove designs.

This year’s Dealer trip highlights included: three days in Copenhagen visiting Royal Palace (changing of the guard), Rosenburg Castle and enjoying a leisurely canal tour, followed by three eventful days on the beautiful Isle of Mors taking part in a factory tour, working on the production line, touring the island, and concluding with a fun company-wide Morsø summer party.

Pictured in the photo above are: Front Row L to R : Bo & Dawn Hilliard (Biltmore Stove, NC), Steve Vorhees & Melyssa Cowles (Santa Cruz Stoves, CA), Jacquie Shankster (Morso US) Lone Bak Atterman (Morso DK), Susan & Ray Plagge (Montpelier Stoves, VT). Brent Boucher (Hearth & Home Calgary, AB), Beth Urban (Rich's for the Home, WA). 2nd Row L to R : Desiree Sirois & Jeramiah Graham (Evergreen Home & Hearth, ME), Bob & Kandie Diskin (Viking Sewing & Spa, OR) Brian Richards & Margaret Lui (Canned Heat distributor, Canada) Keith & Linda Perriman (Northeat, AK), Ernest & Debra Bingham (Great American Chimney Fireplace Folks, WI), Sherry & Vince Woods (Homestead Stove Co, OR) Bob & Paula Williamson (American Chimney Sweeps, VT), John Sullivan (Energy Unlimited, MA), Adam King (Hearthlink Int, Distributor, NE), Troy Smith (Rich's for the home, WA) 3rd Row, R to L; Michael Henning (Complete Heat, NH), Bill Murphy (Ashleigh's Hearth & Home, NY), Roy Matthews (Complete Heat, NH), Craig Shankster (Morsø US)

To contact a near near you, use the easy dealer locator at Morsona.com

Hearth & Home of Ithaca

Photo caption: Here are a few of the Hearth & Home of Ithaca pros (left to right) Matt Slowey, Jay Felli, Julie Langenbacher, Jeff Loik and Al Gillis.

The blazing hot mid-summer heat does nothing to slow down the buzz at Hearth & Home of Ithaca. With only five years of ownership under his belt, owner Jay Felli has focused his abundant entrepreneurial energy to position this 30- year old full service chimney and hearth establishment as a leading Morso wood stove dealer in upstate New York.

Jay says, "When I purchased this business there was one or two Morso units scattered in the store. That was before our home design consultant Julie developed a passion for the Morsø  line and we now have a dozen units on display."

Schooled in architectural design, Jay has a good understanding of home design trends and has assembled a dream team of factory-trained technicians to provide installation, maintenance, chimney cleaning and repair, including complete construction of masonry and metal chimneys. Sean Rice , Tim Reynolds, Charlie Fish and Bill Hewes handle any issues in the field. Al Gillis supports the entire staff with his vast knowledge of stoves, fireplaces and the various parts.  He also has a unique knack for finding what is needed to maintain stoves that are long since out of manufacturing. 

Hearth & Home of Ithaca’s sales force is also highly qualified. Julie Langenbacher brings interior design to the table and spends quality time with customers designing their hearth. Matt Slowey has the environmental science knowledge and pays particular attention to developments in fuels and efficiency.

Being in top form is especially important in Ithaca, home to Cornell University, an Ivy League school of over 20,000 students, and Ithaca College. This academic hub houses highly-educate consumers who do their homework and want the best products, services, and buying experience. To edge out the competition, Felli and his team need to bring on their “A” game every day, year round.

To keep things fresh the Hearth & Home of Ithaca team are presently working on new first floor displays, organizing summer cooking classes and a Fall open house scheduled for the last weekend in September, and constructing a class-A chimney to vent a soon-to-be installed Monica Ritterband 7644 wood stove. That’s in addition to a fully booked schedule of summer installations, chimney cleaning and repair appointments.

Fortunately, the days are long this time of year so that Felli can whittle down his to-do list to enjoy a second well-earned Morso Dealer Denmark trip come August.

You can always visit Hearth & Home of Ithaca online http://www.hearthhome.com/ or stop by their store on 726 West Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850-3296.