Learn the Art of Safe and Efficient Wood Burning
Understanding the nuances of wood burning in your fireplace can lead to significant energy savings. While it may seem as simple as throwing in logs and a match, there’s a science to it that can efficiently heat your home. Following proper wood-burning practices also extends the life of your fireplace or stove. This guide aims to help you plan and use your wood-burning system in the safest, cleanest, and most effective way.
The Keys to Safe and Successful Wood Burning
1. Careful Selection of Wood-Burning Appliances:
- Choose the right size of the fireplace or stove for your home’s heating needs and place it strategically in the main living area.
- Ensure professional installation for any new stove or fireplace.
- Opt for high-efficiency wood stoves or fireplaces certified low emission by the EPA to cut emissions by up to 90%.
2. Efficient Burning Practices:
- Maintain a hot and small fire by regularly feeding it with split wood, avoiding smoldering, which creates more smoke.
- Avoid overloading your stove or fireplace to allow proper air circulation for a cleaner burn.
- Burn dry, well-seasoned wood, as green wood produces unhealthy smoke.
- Refrain from burning garbage, plastic, or treated wood, which releases toxic chemicals.
3. Safe Wood Burning Habits:
- Start your fire with newspaper and dry kindling; never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starters.
- Regularly remove ashes and store them safely away from your house.
- Keep household items away from the heat and sparks of your wood stove or fireplace.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke alarms, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Ensure proper venting to prevent smoke in your house and potential carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. Maintenance Tips:
Inspect and clean your fireplace at least once a year by a certified technician under the Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) program or the Association des professionnels du chauffage in Quebec.