Burn Wise

Posted on January 20, 2010
Filed Under Uncategorized |

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

By Lauren Ellis

As the weather gets colder and the heating bills rise, fireplaces and wood burning stoves come into the foreground as timeless solutions and creature comforts. Biomass electricity may seem like a lower rung on the renewable energy ladder, but wood has been a major energy source for centuries, currently providing about 2% of the energy we use today.

Yet wood waste has been a major pinch point for renewable energy champions. Comprised of debris from suburban land clearing and rural forestry residuals, wood waste represents the largest percentage of the residential construction and demolition waste stream- approximately 40 to 50% of residential new construction materials, according to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center. Along with the waste, wood smoke has become a major red flag. The microscopic particles from smoke get into eyes and respiratory system, causing health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and bronchitis. Particle pollution can also necessitate chronic heart and lung disease. Log-burning fireplaces in new homes have even been banned in some regions, Berkeley, California for one, to help suppress the toxic pollutants and negative health impacts.

For those who still depend on wood as an important alternative fuel source, the EPA has recently launched its Burn Wise program to help educate homeowners on proper burning methods and practices. A key feature in the program is the Changeout campaign, which offers consumers financial incentives, or rebates, to replace older appliances with either non-wood burning equipment, pellet stoves, or EPA certified wood stoves. There are approximately 10 million wood stoves in the United States, with 70-80% operating under conventional standards. Converting to EPA-certified stoves will be a boon to both the consumer’s wallet and pollution levels- EPA stoves are designed with better insulation and improved air flow, so more particles are burned inside the stove. Less smoke, fewer emissions.

Along with the Changeout campaign, the Burn Wise program offers a wealth of information on best burning practices and installation and maintenance tips. Burning the right type of wood and making sure a home is burn safe are key pieces of the program. But the incentive to switch to a certified EPA wood stove is worth the second look- you could score a $1,500 rebate by signing on. Check out the FAQ to learn more.

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1 Comment so far
  1. Solarventus April 22, 2010 3:53 am

    Log burners might be considered carbon neutral, but so many people overlook the pollution they produce. Already the demand for firewood in the UK is rising and often people are tempted to burn unsuitable woods, or even worse rubbish including plastics. If everyone in the towns started to get wood burners we would soon have some real serious pollution and health problems, along with a shortage of firewood and increased prices.

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