Frequently Asked Questions
What is HearthWise?
HearthWise is an independent guide to wood stoves, pellet stoves, fireplace inserts, and the firewood and pellets that feed them. Specs come from the EPA Certified Wood Heater Database and manufacturer documents, and every price carries the month and year it was checked. Read more on the About page.
What size wood stove do I need?
Size from your home's heat loss, not from a "heats up to" claim. The Size & Fuel Calculator estimates your design heat load from area, climate and insulation and suggests an output band that avoids oversizing, with every formula shown.
Does HearthWise give installation instructions?
No. Clearances, hearth protection, venting, chimney and gas work come from the appliance manual and listing label, NFPA 211 and your local code, and the job belongs with a certified installer (NFI or CSIA) and your building inspector. Our guides explain what the work involves and what it costs.
Do the guides apply outside the United States?
The heating math does. EPA certification, NFPA 211, US tax rules and US dollar prices are US-specific, and the translated pages say so and name the local equivalents where they matter.
How does HearthWise make money?
Some product links earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you, disclosed on every page where it applies. Commissions never decide a recommendation. Details in the affiliate disclosure.
Can I request a topic or correction?
Yes. Corrections are welcome, and if a spec or price here does not match the EPA listing, the manual or your local code, we will check it and update the page with a new date.