Supporting a Green Built Future

Morso USA has recently joined The U.S. Green Building Council, a 501(c) (3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

While Morso US is a new national USGBC member, many authorized Morso dealers - http://www.morsona.com/find_a_dealer.html -are active members in their local USGBC chapters. Supporting a green built future is one of the many steps Morso is taking to fulfill their “thinking-green” mission that includes recycling, company-wide conservation practices, and advancing clean-burning technology.

The USGBC and local chapters have the important responsibility of certifying a green building, administering LEED certification, as well as hosting professional and community educational courses, workshops, and networking events. Members include architects, designers, builders, environmental educators, green building material/furnishing manufacturers, and many other green building related service providers. http://www.usgbc.org/








Craig Shankster, president of Morso NA, describes a few ways that this green-wise wood stove manufacturer demonstrates environmentally-responsible practices. “Instead of using high-tech machinery to build new high-quality cast iron wood stoves, highly trained individuals handcraft each stove using 98 percent recycled material. Eighty percent of the energy consumed at the Morso production facility in Denmark comes from renewable sources -- 69 percent wind and 11 percent bio gas -- and the Morso U.S. Portland, TN headquarters’ electric power is also generated from 100 percent renewable energy.” http://www.morsona.com/morso_&_the_environment.html

Is New Really Better than Old?

In design and fashion, old becomes new, trends become fads, and then fads become old-fashioned again. The hearth world is not so fast moving or complex. The term OLD is not related to the stoves’ appearance or design style, it describes an antiquated fire -box combustion technology and/or manufacturing practices that are outdated, inefficient, and possibly an environmental concern.

When it comes to wood stoves, NEW is definitely better. And 75% or greater efficiency is a must, not only because it qualifies for an up to $1500 IRS tax credit, but because it keep our air cleaner with lower particle emissions and reduces the amount of wood burned through advanced combustion performance.

However, it’s important to differentiate that – Morso- an almost 157 year-old stove manufacturer; with a rich history, can also be an innovative leader that is producing some of the world’s most environmentally advanced- new -cast iron wood stoves on the market today. Their “thinking-green” mission includes powering the lion share of manufacturing with renewable wind energy, using 98% recycled cast-iron, and recycling wherever possible.

Yet, in the case of Morso there are some long held traditions that are still embraced. Instead of using high-tech machinery to build your new wood stove, highly trained individuals handcraft each stove as if it were going into their own home. The loyal and proud human resource at Morso - from manufacturing right through delivery - cares greatly about quality standards, environmental impact, and the satisfaction of their customers worldwide. Another historic practice, that sets Morso apart, is the commissioning of world renowned designers to create some of their most admired wood burning stoves. Most recently, Danish art icon Monica Ritterband applied her elegant and refined, yet simple and direct style to the modern, contemporary Morso 7600-series.

While decade’s birthdays do deserve extra recognition, if your wood stove is turning 10 or more, you really need to evaluate its performance and compliance in terms of today’s EPA standards. If your aging stove is not environmentally sound, this may be the right year to change-out your old wood stove for a new energy efficient Morso model. Depending on where you live, your state may already offer a wood stove change-out incentive; if not the IRS consumer tax credit that expires December 31st should be motivating.

Go to http://www.morsona.com and check out the great selection of high performance, energy-efficient wood stoves. You’ll be able to find the best stove for your home, no matter the size or décor preference.

All Morso Stoves Qualify for Tax Credit

The IRS consumer tax credit of 30% (up to $1500) for the purchase and installation of a 75% efficient stove is available though the end of 2010. All Morso US wood stoves are qualified. Your local Morso dealer - http://www.morsona.com/find_a_dealer.html - can provide you with the manufacturer’s certificate of qualification along with your sales receipt.

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 in both 2009 and 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

To learn more about Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency visit:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

No past... No future

At the beginning of the 1930s, the sculptor Constantin Sørensen created the impressive radiant Morsø 2B classic stove, featuring Morsø’s well-known squirrel and oak leaves decoration. Today, many decades later, the 2B Classic is still in great demand. With its almost stately appearance, this cast iron wood stove is perfect for historical, cottage or farm style homes. The Morsø 2B classic stove's special feature is its combustion chamber, which can accommodate extra long fuel measuring up to 18”. Of course today's Morsø 2B classic stoves have completely updated combustion technology. With a 75%+ efficiency rating (as measured by LHV) this lasting wood burning treasure meets today's stringent environmental requirements.

To see more antique styled Morsø classic stoves click here:
http://www.morsoeusa.com/Classic-stoves-527.aspx

Texas Tech Students Install Morsø 3142 in Green Research & Design Sustainable Cabin

The College of Architecture at Texas Tech University is hammering home the importance of sustainable design and construction through a green research project that teaches architect students how to use sustainable technology.

The project involves the construction of a prefabricated self-sustaining cabin, complete with a Morsø wood stove, to be used as a laboratory to test and quantify sustainable architectural concepts, and to help future architects make key design decisions.






















Texas Tech students, Lance Roberts and Andrew Taylor, install a stove chimney for the Morsø 3142 in the sustainable cabin.

Associate Professor, Urs Peter Flueckiger specifically asked Morsø to participate in this experiential learning opportunity because he’d experienced Morsø’s energy-efficient preformance first-hand, in his home where a Morsø 8140 stove warms his family.

Morsø donated a 3142 model wood stove to this educational initiative because this project teaches ‘thinking-green’ values and demonstrates natural energy alternatives to the next generation of architects.

The Morso 3142 wood stove will be installed in the Texas Tech sustainable cabin to be located at the Pease River Foundation in Crowell, TX.







This Texas Tech sustainable cabin is approximately 400 square feet and it is very well insulated. It is loosely based by David Henry Thoreau, who used second-hand building materials and components.

When it's finished at the end of this year, the cabin will be set in Crowell, TX. A small town about 155 miles east of Lubbock. The Pease River Foundation, which owns the land, has granted Texas Tech students access the cabin to monitor its performance in "the real world". The location has an abundance of Mesquite trees. An excellent fuel source for Morsø 3142 cast-iron stove.

Detailed project information is available at:
http://www.arch.ttu.edu/people/faculty/Flueckiger_U/sustainable_cabin.htm

The Stove in your Home

Buying a wood stove is much like buying furniture. Future owners want to make sure they choose a model that accentuates their interior home design and lifestyle. To make the stove selection process easier, Morsø has incorporated an interactive virtual living room into our website. This new high-tech imagery tool allows you to see different stove styles, forms, and sizes in your living space.

To access this stove in your home virtual living room, go to:
http://www.morsoeusa.com/The-stove-in-your-home-555.aspx

Then follow the easy steps below:

1. Upload your image - Take a digital picture of the area where you plan to install the new stove. For best results, set your camera on landscape mode. If you don’t have a digital image handy, Morsø has a choice of six inspirational room images.
2. Choose your favorite Morsø stove – Find your favorite stove and play with the size and location. Just click on a stove and drag it into your room image. To adjust size, click the scale box above the room and slide the bar to make larger or smaller.
3. Save Image or Print- You can save the image on your computer or print it out. If you want to change backgrounds, just click on the background box to be brought back to the six room choices provided.

In the News

Worcester Telegram and Gazette, MA - More drawn to warmth of stoves by Caryn Rousseau - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sunday, October 18, 2009
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091018/NEWS/910180612/1102/RSS01&source=rss

Desert News Salt Lake City, UT - More homeowners looking to stoves for heat by Caryn Rousseau - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Saturday, October 17, 2009
http://www.ajchomefinder.com/home-decor/more-homeowners-looking-to-162915.html

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705337436/Homeowners-look-to-stoves-for-heat.html

ABC News - More homeowners looking to stoves for heat by Caryn Rousseau - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WireStory?id=8828575&page=1

The Atlanta Journal of Constitution, GA - More homeowners looking to stoves for heat by Caryn Rousseau - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
http://www.ajchomefinder.com/home-decor/more-homeowners-looking-to-162915.html