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A growing awareness of the
environmental impact of fossil fuels (such as natural gas, oil
and coal) along with the desire to be more energy independent
have encouraged a renewed interest in heating with
wood. Not too long ago, even
the best wood stoves weren't
terribly efficient. In fact, the haze they produced was a sign
that homeowners' hard earned heating money was literally going
up in smoke. A lot has changed since 1990. That was when
stricter particle emissions standards were introduced for stove
manufacturers. Today, all new wood
stoves are certified. And that means they are much more
efficient, and friendlier to the environment as well.
But doesn't burning
wood produce pollutants just
like coal or oil? Well, the answer is yes...and no. When fossil
fuels are taken out of the earth and burned, they produce an
overload of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And since these
fuels are produced far from where they will ultimately be
consumed, mishaps such as oil spills cause other problems. Once
burned, fossil fuels are gone forever.
Wood is different. As all plants grow, they absorb
carbon dioxide from the air and convert it to fiber. The carbon
dioxide is released after they die, whether they are burned, or
simply left to rot in the forest. This process is part of
nature's cycle. Heating with wood
can be both satisfying and economical.
