Heating
with Wood
Many people in
However, heating with wood also
has some serious risks: home fires; poor indoor and outdoor air quality; finding
high quality wood for burning; and the added responsibility of maintaining a
fire and woodstove. These risks can be avoided by using up-to-date equipment,
maintaining it well, and using the best combustion practices.
Better equipment and techniques also increase the heating efficiency of
your wood, saving time, work, and money.
Heating efficiently with wood
requires three things: a good stove; a good source of dry, seasoned, wood cut to
the right size for your stove; and a dedication to making it work.
The
newer stoves actually burn the smoke rather than sending it up the chimney.
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“It is
important to burn the smoke because any that escapes from the firebox
unburned is wasted fuel that will stick in the chimney as creosote or be
released as air pollution. Wood smoke is not a normal byproduct of wood
combustion, it is waste. Visible smoke at the top of a chimney is
always a sign that energy is being wasted.” John Gulland, “Expert Advice for Wood Heating,” Mother Earth News,
October/November 2008. |
The
Woodstove
Newer wood stove models are safer
and more efficient. When operated correctly, newer stoves use a third to half as
much wood, produce 90% less smoke and ash, are easier to ignite and monitor, and
are easier to maintain. The newer stoves actually burn the smoke rather than
sending it up the chimney.
How
can you tell if your stove is a newer and more efficient?
All stoves manufactured after
July 1, 1990 are certified to meet the EPA standard for clean stoves. Look for
the permanent metal label attached to the back of the stove. A new stove will
also have a paper label indicating the air quality and often the efficiency.
In addition to removing the ashes and keeping creosote out of the stovepipe, other maintenance practices will help keep your stove running like new. Most importantly, the casing needs to be well maintained and free from rust. The door and door gasket need a tight seal. Air tubes and fans need to be clear and clean. The baffles need to be clean. If the stove has a catalyst, it will need to be replaced periodically.
Firewood burns best if it has
been properly seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%. Well-seasoned wood
provides a good balance of heat and burn time, saves effort every day, and
reduces maintenance. In general,
firewood should be seasoned or dried with exposure to sun and wind for at least
six months. Seasoned firewood will appear darker in color and have cracks in the
end grain. It will also sound hollow
when hit with another piece of wood.
To avoid home fires and unhealthy
indoor air, it is important to maintain your stove. Keep your wood stove clean
inside and out. Remove ash and creosote, have the chimney and flue cleaned
periodically, and keep the outside of the stove rust-free. Fabric,
furniture, newspaper, books, and other flammable things must be clear of the
woodstove. Install a smoke detector with a carbon monoxide sensor near the
stove, and change the batteries twice a year.
Traditional open fireplaces are inefficient. They burn a lot of wood and often send much of the heat of the fire – along with heated room air – straight up the chimney. You can enjoy your fireplace while greatly improving its efficiency by installing an EPA-certified fireplace insert.
It can be said that wood heats
you when you collect it, when you split it, and when you burn it. Heating with
wood has many benefits, but many of these benefits are reduced if the individual
is not committed to burning with good practices, good wood, and good equipment.
As with anything, burning wood is only worth doing if you burn it right.
If you
choose to burn wood and want to purchase a new, more efficient wood-burning
stove, you may qualify for a federal tax credit.
 | The tax credit provides
30% (up to $1500) of the purchase of a qualified wood-burning stove or
fireplace insert installed in your principal residence by December 31, 2010.
In December 2010, the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit was amended
and extended for another year. The amended tax credit provides $300 for the
purchase of a qualified biomass-burning stove between January1, 2011 and
December 31, 2011.
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| Any wood- or
pellet-burning stove that meets the 75% efficiency rating qualifies. |
| Professional installation
costs are included as long as installation is required for the proper and
safe operation of the stove. |
| Learn more by visiting http://epa.gov/burnwise/appliances.html. |
Useful Websites
http://www.woodheat.org/
(especially, http://www.woodheat.org/woodpile/)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-10-01/Heat-With-A-Woodstove.aspx
For More information, contact the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency at 828-250-6777 or www.wncairquality.org.