Jim Lerum’s path into wood heating began in 1977, during a time when the oil embargo had many people rethinking how they heated their homes. At just 18 years old, he saw a simple message—“split wood, not atoms”—that shaped his future. What began as a personal belief in renewable wood heat became a lifelong career focused on helping homeowners find practical alternatives to fossil-fuel heating. Jim later earned his contractor’s license so he could not only recommend wood stoves, but also install them professionally and safely.

Over the decades, Jim has watched wood-heating technology change dramatically. Modern high-efficiency stoves produce far less smoke and deliver more usable heat than older models, with select options offering emissions below one gram per hour. Today, All Fired Up Wood Stoves helps homeowners choose cleaner-burning systems, improve existing wood-heating setups, and enjoy dependable warmth with better efficiency, safer operation, and knowledgeable local support.