Swannanoa's recovery from recent storm damage has homeowners adding wood stoves as they rebuild, wanting heat that works when the grid doesn't. In the Grovemont area's 1940s-to-'60s homes, many have an original masonry chimney a stove can vent into with a liner, and the condition of that storm- and moisture-worn masonry is the main cost variable.
Rebuilding with heat that stays on
After the storm, a lot of Swannanoa Valley homes are being renovated or rebuilt, and a sealed EPA wood stove is a natural addition: total grid independence, no pilot, no power. The Grovemont-area masonry fireplaces from the mid-century are often sound enough to line, but river-valley fog, cold-air pooling, and damp air are hard on chimneys here, so we inspect the crown, liner, and cap before reusing a flue. A rebuild with no existing chimney needs a new Class A system, which is the larger cost.
Buncombe permit, close to home
We pull the permit through Buncombe County and meet the inspector on hearth, clearances, and chimney height. Regency's Cascades F1500 heats up to 1,500 square feet and suits these valley homes; we size to the room rather than oversizing, which only makes a stove smolder. Swannanoa is 15 minutes east of our Asheville showroom, so scheduling is quick.
Heat you own outright
A wood stove is the gold standard for grid independence when power lines go down across the valley. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free in-home assessment, and we'll map the least expensive safe venting route before quoting a firm number.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- How much does the chimney pipe add to a wood stove installation in a house with no chimney?
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- How much does it cost to heat a home with a wood stove for a whole winter?
- How much does firewood cost per cord, and how many cords do you burn in a winter?
- How much does it cost to build a real wood-burning fireplace?