Burning Wood to Heat Your Home?

Home Heating Alternatives

Burning wood to heat your home? Nearly half the world's wood supply is used as fuel. If you're thinking about home heating, think about using electricity or gas as an alternative to burning wood or coal, especially if you live in an area where pollution levels are high. Gas gives off fewer emissions than wood or coal.

If you do purchase a solid-fuel burner, ensure that it's the right size to heat your home and find out about its efficiency and emissions rating. You will need to get a building permit to install a solid-fuel burner.

If you are burning wood or coal, the key to reducing air pollution from smoke is to burn smaller, hotter fires that produce less smoke.

Do:

Only burn dry wood - order dry, not green wood and store in a dry area.
Store wood for at least six months before you burn it - dry wood gives off more heat; you'll save money and be warmer!
Light small, hot fires - they produce less smoke.
Add wood a little at a time - half filling your firebox is about right.
Give the fire air - if you can see smoke from the chimney, it needs more air.
Clean the chimney or flue and firebox regularly.
Make your house energy efficient - save money, be warmer. Cover your windows, insulate walls and ceilings, and cut drafts using "draft sausages" and carpet.
If you are throwing old newspapers out, make use of them by burning them as logs.

Do Not:

Leave the fire burning overnight
Dampen the air supply - smoldering fires make more smoke.
Burn treated, painted, green or wet wood.
Burn plywood or particleboard.
Burn rubbish, including plastic and cardboard.

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