How's your wood stove doing? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 65% of all wood stoves in the U.S. are inefficient or outdated. As you might imagine, this means more harm to the environment. It also means the stove is using more fuel than you should. Here are three signs that you may need to replace your wood stove.

1. The Body Appears Warped

This is one of the most obvious signs that you need to start looking at new wood stoves. When a wood stove is new, its surface should be smooth with no indents and bumps in it. Unfortunately, over time, extremely high temperatures can take their toll. Over the course of a decade, the metal will start to show signs of warping. This happens even more quickly if you overuse the stove. The problem with warping is that it ruins the airflow into and out of your stove. As you might imagine, this can significantly affect the performance of your stove.

2. You Can See Rust and Cracks

Rust and cracks are signs of damage. These are the last things you want to see on the inside or outside of your wood stove. However, this doesn't mean you should panic whenever you see a patch of rust. Rusting can occur if the stove goes without use for a while. When that happens, you can easily buff away the rust patches. The problem begins when you let the rust eat too far into your stove's structure. If it does, consider it a serious red flag. Similarly, if you notice any cracks in the structure of your stove, you must stop using it. This can cause dangerous fumes to leak out. Apart from that, it's also a fire hazard.

3. There's Excessive Smoke and Dirt

The moment your wood stove starts producing heavy amounts of smoke, ash, and dust, you must start looking into getting a new one. Healthy wood stoves should be able to provide an efficient fire that burns cleanly. Older wood stoves don't have the technology that comes with more modern options. As a result, they're usually dirtier even when functioning properly. However, the moment you start noticing more smoke than usual, you should investigate. If you haven't changed the way you use the stove, you can try changing the wood. If all of that doesn't work, the best bet would be to get a new stove.

These are some signs that indicate it may be time to get a new stove. Are you struggling to find reliable wood stoves? Get in touch with our team at Fireside Hearth & Home today. We would love to help you find and install the best wood stove for your home.