The Shrinking Wood Stove/Wood Heat Market

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Dan Melcon, by his wood stove in White River Junction, VT, remains devoted to wood heat.
Dan Melcon, by his wood stove in White River Junction, VT, remains devoted to wood heat.
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Four modern wood stoves from Jotul and Waterford. L to R: Jotul 3CB, Waterford Ashley, Jotul 602, and Waterford 104 MK II. The 3CB costs $1,100 and will heat 1,300 sq. ft., while the 602 costs $600 and heats 800 sq. ft. The Ashley is costly at $1,649 but will heat 11,500 sq. ft. The 104 MK II is more affordable at $595 but heats only 750 sq. ft.
Four modern wood stoves from Jotul and Waterford. L to R: Jotul 3CB, Waterford Ashley, Jotul 602, and Waterford 104 MK II. The 3CB costs $1,100 and will heat 1,300 sq. ft., while the 602 costs $600 and heats 800 sq. ft. The Ashley is costly at $1,649 but will heat 11,500 sq. ft. The 104 MK II is more affordable at $595 but heats only 750 sq. ft.
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Dan Melcon during his interview.
Dan Melcon during his interview.
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Dan and his son Jordan go over the fine points of firewood.
Dan and his son Jordan go over the fine points of firewood.

The American market for wood heat is dwindling, and
this emergency reserve of fuel — so entwined with the spirit of
individualism and independence — is being elbowed to the
sidelines by a glut of oil and natural gas. It seems that the
same collective amnesia that allows us to build gargantuan

  • Published on Oct 1, 1998
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