Wood Stove or Martin Wall Heater? Off-Grid Living Comparison

Don’t want to use too many fossil fuels, pay for a new pipeline, or rely on the grid for heat? You’re not alone. Propane and wood are expected to grow in demand as more homes transition to low-emission heat sources!

However, each of these options is better for specific homes. Let’s talk about wood stoves and Martin wall heaters and see which is right for you!

Pros and Cons of Wood Stoves

Wood stoves are the safest and most efficient way to heat your home with wood. Using a fireplace will not distribute the heat properly and is more likely to result in fires or carbon monoxide buildups.

Some of the benefits are obvious. Wood is cheaper than gas for the heat, as you can buy two cords of wood for anywhere from $250 to $600, which will last most homes through a winter. If you have a heavily-wooded property and invest in a log-splitter, you could have free firewood for the rest of your life.

Also, wood doesn’t require electricity or a pipeline. You can have it delivered to your home and stock it up, using the leftovers for peaceful summer bonfires! 

However, you will need enough storage space to keep your wood dry and ready for use. If you don’t have that or the money for the upfront costs, then a wood stove isn’t for you!

Pros and Cons of Martin Heaters

Like wood stoves, Martin heaters don’t require electricity to run and are much cleaner than oil or gas. There is a much lower risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or fires, and you can have it delivered to your home! Also, the systems burn efficiently and last for a long time with proper care!

While you will have to cut a hole in your wall for the vents, Martin heater installations are surprisingly intuitive. If you have the right tools, you can do it yourself!

However, some people dislike having heaters take up their wall space. Thankfully, their neutral colors can blend in, but that still isn’t for everyone.

Which Is Better For Small Cabins?

What’s better than a warm fire in your cabin? A fireplace or woodstove can create the perfect atmosphere, right. Well, not always. The Martin heater is the better option if you lack proper storage outside.

Fortunately, the 12,000 BTU and 20,000 BTU Martin wall heaters come with a glass-ceramic window with a unique “fireplace” display. This means you won’t have to miss out on the cozy atmosphere or the extra heat!

Which Is Better For Entire Homes?

Let’s be clear: even the best wood stoves and wall heaters will not work as a sole heat source for larger homes. You will need a furnace, multiple wall heaters, or another heating solution to heat larger spaces. We would never recommend using space heaters for larger homes, as they cause over 21,800 house fires each year in the US alone.

If you do not have a furnace and don’t want to spend $12,000 on a new one, we don’t blame you. There are other options for whole-home heating, and we’d recommend a combination of a wood stove and wall heaters. A wood stove is an excellent supplementation to reduce heating costs in your home, and Martin wall heaters can quickly fill the gaps.

All of this will save you money on heating, allow you to control your heating room-by-room, and allow you to heat your entire home during an outage. On top of that, you’ll also reduce your carbon emissions, as propane and wood are much cleaner heating sources than oil or natural gas.

Should I Get a Martin Wall Heater or Wood Stove?

Martin heaters and wood stoves are excellent options for heating small areas or lowering your heating bill. Your choice depends on your available space and the atmosphere you want to create.