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Air Quality |
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Woodstove program |
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DEQ Home > Air Quality > Woodstoves > 101 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Woodburning 101Dangers of wood smokeSmoke from wood-burning stoves contain tiny particles that are so small the body’s natural defenses can’t prevent them from lodging deep into our lungs. These tiny particles not only can damage and change the structure of lung tissue but can also carry harmful toxins directly into our bloodstream. This can lead to serious respiratory problems, asthma attacks, heart problems and even premature death. Certified woodstoves burn cleanerOregon was first in the nation to require new “certified” woodstoves to meet air pollution standards and all new stoves are required to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You can tell if your stove is certified by looking on the back for a certification sticker from Oregon DEQ or EPA. Woodstoves that are not certified waste up to 60% of the wood burned in them. Certified stoves are much less polluting than older, non-certified stoves, reducing fine particles by 70%. Additionally, pellet stoves and oil or gas furnaces or stoves are even cleaner than certified stoves. Replace your woodstove and save moneyThe Oregon Department of Energy (DOE) has a tax credit of up to 300 available for homeowners who purchase a premium efficiency woodstove or pelletstove. For more details on this program and the qualifications, please visit the Oregon DOE Web site. If you own an old, inefficient stove, replacing it with a newer, cleaner heating system will pay for itself through fuel savings. Alternative stoves could include natural gas stoves and furnaces, EPA certified woodstoves and pellet stoves. There are two kinds of approved wood-burning stoves: "catalytic” stoves and "non-catalytic" stoves. Catalytic stoves use a ceramic catalyst inside the firebox to assist with the burning of waste-gases (smoke). Non-catalytic stoves use a combination of sophisticated baffles and air supply designs to burn waste gasses efficiently. Both design approaches do the job. In general, catalytic stoves are a little more efficient initially than non-catalytic stoves, but catalysts deteriorate over time and need to be replaced every 2-4 years to ensure good performance. Wood-burning tips
Use seasoned woodThe best fuel for woodstoves is dry, "seasoned" wood. Seasoned wood has a moisture content of about 20% or less. It tends to be dark in color, cracked on the ends, light in weight and has bark that is easily broken or peeled. Here are some tips for preparing seasoned wood:
Consider "carbon-neutral" firelogs for fireplacesManufactured firelogs are pre-packaged fuel for fireplaces usually made from recycled sawdust and wax. Firelogs are a user-friendly solution for building a fire in a fireplace and are a significantly cleaner burning alternative to using firewood. Resource-efficient firelogs made with 100% renewable resources, instead of petroleum, are now available for a "carbon-neutral" fire. Firelogs produce approximately 70% less toxic air pollution than firewood They produce significantly less carbon monoxide and creosote as compared to firewood Firelogs burn between 2-4 hours depending on the size.* Maintenance tipsEach year there are numerous Oregon home and chimney fires caused by wood burning. Periodic inspection of your stove or fireplace is essential to its continued safe and clean-burning operation. The Oregon Chimney Sweep Association recommends an annual chimney cleaning to remove creosote build up and to identify potential problems. Things to consider:
*Source: Environment Canada and US EPA - Region 5, Content and emission characteristics of Artificial Wax Firelogs, May 2006 |
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