Hints & Tips
Why is it important to buy dry wood?35%-45% of the weight of freshly felled wood is water and trying to burn it will produce steam rather than heat. Drying or “seasoning” reduces the moisture content of the wood. Wood should be seasoned before it is burned and the moisture content reduced to at least 25%. The lower the moisture content, the better the wood will burn. As well as producing little heat, burning wood that has not been properly seasoned can result in tar deposits in the chimney and smoky, rather than clean burning fires. Should I buy softwood or hardwood?The heavier and denser the wood, the longer it will burn. Hardwoods tend to be denser than softwoods so, even if it is more expensive, the hardwood option may well be the most economical. How should seasoned and part-seasoned wood be stored?Protect it from rain and keep it off the ground in an airy place such as an open sided lean-to. Wood will rot and go mouldy if you keep it completely covered with a plastic tarpaulin, for example. How should kiln-dried wood be stored?Because it has less moisture to lose, kiln-dried firewood can be stored completely covered up and, if necessary, stored outside, off the ground and covered by a tarpaulin. Can I burn wood safely and efficiently?Wood is the cleanest fuel there is, but pollutants can be generated if it is not burned efficiently. Smoke – particles of unburned fuel – may result from using wood that is not seasoned properly, an inefficient stove or problems with the chimney. Carbon monoxide can be generated by any carbon based fuel and is potentially dangerous. To avoid problems:
What the experts say…HETAS is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and service: www.hetas.co.uk |
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