Hay River (Sep 06/04) - Karen Gelderman enjoys having a wood stove in her home.

"It's a nice warmth," says the Hay River homeowner. "It just feels nice."

After thinking for a while to find the right word to describe wood heat, she settled on "cozy."

But there is more than just comfort that convinced Gelderman and her husband, Jack Keefe, to install a wood stove in their home.

She says that, each time she puts wood in the fire, she realizes it is saving the family money every year.

"Hundreds for sure, and, over the years, thousands."

Gelderman's husband cuts the wood but she says it is more for the exercise than to save money.

She estimates they burn two or three cords of wood in the winter, which would cost them about $300 to buy.

On the other hand, she says they lived in a house before with an oil bill of several hundred dollars a month in the middle of winter.

They have spent about $2,000 on wood stoves over the years.

They also have a back-up oil furnace for when they are at work or out of town.

Gelderman says they burn spruce or pine, or a combination of both.

However, she says birch is best.

The wood stove is a part of the furniture, she adds, explaining it is engaging to sit on a sofa and watch the flames.

However, she notes there are some negatives, including ashes. "There is a bit of a dust issue."

Over all, Gelderman says having a wood stove takes a little more effort than using electricity or oil.

"I guess it's like having a pet. It's work."