Winter heating can be environmentally friendly

The high cost of heating oil, electricity and natural gas prompt us to think about ways to save.

Many more folks are looking at wood heat, either with the intention to use more or to use it for the first time.

If you have or plan to look into a pellet stove, not much preparation is necessary to use that source of heat early this winter.

It's a different story if you plan on using cut wood.

Wood needs a full year to dry adequately.

If you didn't cut and split your wood last winter or earlier, it should not be burnt.

"Green" wood is difficult to burn, will not burn as hot as seasoned wood, and gives off more smoke and creosote. The smoke can be especially bad with outdoor wood boilers because the combustion temperature is lower than in an efficient indoor wood stove.

Outdoor furnaces have been controversial in many communities, not just because of the smoke they generate but because they emit that smoke very close to ground level. Tests done by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Manage-ment found that particle emissions (a particularly harmful pollutant) from an outdoor wood burner were much higher than those from indoor wood stoves certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Though the outdoor furnace industry contests NESCAUM's conclusions, several states have restricted the use of the boilers or recommended that the public consider other alternatives.

No matter what you use, remember that any burner that uses unseasoned wood or other unsuitable materials is more polluting. Burning "green" wood also produces more creosote that accumulates in the chimney. This is the most common cause of flu fires.

If you intend to increase or explore burning wood or pellets, remember these helpful hints and safety recommendations.

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