Absolute Steal of a Deal

We are celebrating the introduction of our new Absolute Steel Hybrid’s arrival onto our website by offering a huge discount to our customers. Check out our website for all of the wonderful details regarding the new Absolute Steel Hybrid stove and the big introductory sale now in progress. When you place your order for an Absolute Steel Hybrid stove, you could save as much as $600.00!!

Meet the Winner of the Absolute Steel Hybrid

John Rahill, Winner of the Absolute Steel Hybrid

John Rahill is the winner of our Absolute Steel Hybrid Drawing.  When we first spoke with John, he thought we were making it up, and was not sure of the win.  His friends mentioned they read about him winning the Absolute Steel Stove, which warmed him up to the idea. We had the pleasure of meeting John last Saturday. While driving through New Hampshire, on his way home to Vermont, John decided to stop in to visit our showroom.  He met some of our staff, took a tour of the factory, and was able to personally view a few of our Absolute Steel Hybrid designs.

Celebrating the Free Absolute Steel Hybrid Drawing!

We are celebrating the big drawing today!  The survey has closed, the ratings have been tallied and the comments have been read.  We greatly appreciate your time, effort and your opinions towards our Absolute Steel Hybrid.

New Design Survey Results, Comments and Suggestions

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, we have tallied the results of our New Design Survey and the top three are: “Au Naturel,” the “Cottage,” and the “Prairie,” in that order.

In reviewing the comments, we were surprised and intrigued by the spectrum of  opinions and ideas.  Some folks felt the designs were too busy, many wanted more design added.  The primary source of debate is the wings.  The number of requests we received to produce the Absolute Steel Hybrid without wings has led us to the idea of providing you the option – wings or no wings.   We believe, because this will be your stove, you should have it your way. 

We thought you may enjoy reading some of the comments/suggestions we received. They are:

Results of the New Stove Design Survey

The preliminary results are in from our Design Survey.  We want to thank everyone who participated.  We appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and comments.  Almost 600 people ranked and commented on our proposed designs, with over 1,800 comments.  This was a very, very helpful process to help us determine how to proceed with the design from here.

Our Ideal Steel Hybrid was our first stove to offer personalization.  We plan to offer personalization with our Absolute Steel Hybrid as well by providing different versions of the same firebox with very different design treatments on the outside, along with different leg heights and overall geometry.

Our New Stove Passes EPA Testing – With Ease!

Our newest Hybrid wood stove (now known as the Absolute Steel Hybrid) passed the EPA testing with flying colors.  The EPA standard, expected no later than 2020, is for a residential wood stove to have a weighted average of approximately 2.0 g/hr.   Our new Absolute Steel Hybrid passed the test at approximately 0.7 g/hr.  Yes indeed. This result puts the Absolute Steel Hybrid in the top six stoves for low emissions.  This means our newest hybrid, the Absolute Steel Hybrid, is in the top two percent of all stoves tested in the last 25 years.  It is an absolute winner!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Read All About Us!

Thank you Popular Mechanics!  What a lovely article. 

The February, 2016 edition of Popular Mechanics, page 52-53, has a nice two-page spread on our Ideal Steel Hybrid  stove entitled “A Beautiful Thing”. 

Tax Credit Opportunity

Not everyone looks forward to tax time, but we have GOOD NEWS!  The Federal Government is providing an opportunity for you to receive a tax credit of  $300.00 for wood burning stoves purchased and installed in a primary residence.  The credit is retroactive for 2015 purchases and installation, and current through December 31, 2016.

The credit is offered for wood stoves that are 75% efficient or higher.  Here at Woodstock Soapstone we make it easy for you as all of our current wood stoves exceed the requirement.  The certificate noting this is available to download from our website.  

Please note: Homeowners who have taken advantage of previous energy tax credits may not be eligible for the current tax credit. There is a maximum “lifetime” energy tax credit cap of $500, retroactive to 2006. If a homeowner has used $500 or more in previous energy tax credits, he/she may no longer be eligible for the $300 credit currently offered.

You will find more information regarding this tax credit on our website at: http://www.woodstove.com/tax-credit-faq.  If you have questions regarding how you personally qualify for this federal tax credit, please see your accountant or The EPA websites http://www.epa.gov/burnwise and www.energystar.gov.

Race to Zero: EPA Testing Underway

Exciting News!  Our Commander-in-Chief, Tom Morrissey, has been in Quebec, Canada, testing our newest steel hybrid for EPA certification and UL listing.

The first of the EPA testing, the high burn test, went very well (data coming soon).  Another EPA test is on the calendar for tomorrow, and we expect the EPA testing phase to be finished early next week.  Then we move on to UL and clearance testing. 

We have been working with the EPA to be the first company to test with cordwood.  Unfortunately, the EPA has not yet approved a cordwood test protocol.   Meanwhile, we are testing with the standard Douglas fir “cribs” which consist of Douglas fir 2x4s and 4x4s, with spacers stapled to them in a precise method described by the EPA (photo below).

Douglas Fir "cribs" with spacers

We are looking forward to continued successful testing, and getting our newest steel hybrid in production soon.  Stay tuned!

January Steal of the Month: Wolf Moon

The Wolf Moon arrives on January 23, 2016.  In the Native American tradition, the full moon for each month has a name.   The January Moon is also known as the Snow Moon, North Moon or Cold Moon.  

We all know January brings cold weather and darker days.  One of the symbolic meanings of the Wolf Moon is that wolves are designed to handle whatever winter brings, much like our woodstoves.  Wolves are also known for being resourceful.  Our January Steal of the Month is your opportunity to be prepared for whatever winter brings your way.  

Celebrate the month of January by checking out our January Steal of the Month page.  Get a free Wolf Design set (shown below) and Wolf Tool Set with every purchase of an Ideal Steel Hybrid Stove.  Be prepared for winter – just like a wolf. 

Geared 2U Wolf Moon Design Set