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

New Design Preview: Modified Designs

We are still working on our designs and changes to our beta designs. Thanks to everyone who responded to our Design Preview and Survey!

We had almost 600 surveys and over 1700 comments so far on our beta designs. The Tall Shaker design has elicited the most number of comments and questions. Based on those comments, we have new previews of a few potential design changes. The stoves have been digitally placed in a home setting to help give a better visual perspective.

Changing the art on your Ideal Steel Hybrid

Changing the art designs on your Ideal Steel Hybrid is quick and easy. If you would like to change the theme on your stove at any time, the video below will show you how simple the process is.

Keep in mind, if you order new designs you can also get them in different colors to give a different look.

New Hybrid Dimensions and Specifications

These are projected dimensions and specifications for our new steel hybrid.  They won’t change much, but as noted below don’t build a hearth or install a chimney thimble based on these specifications.  EPA testing is scheduled to begin in 3 weeks, with UL testing (clearances) following immediately thereafter.

"V-Dubbing" Proposed Test Protocols

The video below shows the “endpoint” of a high burn, according to a new draft protocol industry has suggested for cordwood testing.  This “endpoint” would also be the “start-point” for medium and low burn cordwood tests.

Cordwood High Burn Test Data

Below is data from 2 Cordwood High Burns (which followed the Cordwood Cold Starts on 11/24 and 11/27 – see previous posts).  These are R & D Tests.

Each load was about 25 lbs. (in a 2.5 cu. ft. firebox).  The fuel was all Hard Maple with average moisture content of 22%.

Answers to questions about cold starts

Here are answers to a few of the questions asked about our cold start post:

1. Are you using special kindling or fire-starter?

No, we generally use the same hemlock 1x4s that we use to crate stoves.  We get the same results if we split test wood (+ 22% moisture maple) into kindling and shavings, but the 1x4s are easier and faster.  The keys are surface area, and some elevation (i.e closer to the fireback is better).