Wood Stoves, Fireplaces, Pellet Stoves and Masonry Heaters

Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other wood burning devices put out hundreds of times more air pollution than other sources of heat such as natural gas or electricity.

The most dangerous material in wood smoke may be the fine particles that make up the smoke and soot. Many of these particles are toxic. Most are so small that, when you breathe them, they get past your body’s defenses and go deep into your lungs. There, they can cause serious problems such as scarring of the lung tissue.

Studies show that death rates in several U.S. cities increased when there were higher levels of fine particles in the air. Wood smoke is most dangerous to the health of infants and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with lung or heart disease.

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If you use a wood stove or fireplace, now is the time to make sure your firewood is covered and out of the weather.

Wet firewood boils when it burns. With wet wood, it can be harder to get a fire going and keep it burning. Wet firewood also makes a smoky fire with little heat, and wastes wood. So, it just makes sense to burn dry firewood. Wood that has been split, dried and stored under cover for at least six months usually burns best.

If you burn, burn clean

If you heat with wood, you can reduce smoke by burning properly:

  • Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Be sure your firewood has been split and dried for at
    least one year. Store it under cover.
  • Never burn wet, painted, stained or treated wood; colored newsprint; plastic; garbage; diapers; or magazines.
  • Build small fires to help the wood burn completely.  Adding too much wood at one time cuts down on the air to the fire and leaves you with unburned wood.
  • Keep your fire hot. Dampering down your stove just cuts off the air, which wastes wood, creates a lot of smoke, and produces very little heat. You can tell if your fire has enough air by checking the smoke coming from your chimney. You should see only heat waves. If you see smoke, increase the air supply to your fire.
  • Make sure your wood stove is the right size for its space. A stove that is too large for the space it is heating will have to be damped down, causing more smoke. Make sure your stove is properly installed.