Press Releases
02/21/2024
DEEP Reminds Residents of Best Wood-Burning Practices
Burn the Right Wood, the Right Way, to Limit Smoke and Pollution
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents how to safely limit exposure to smoke when burning wood to heat homes. Residents should protect their health and that of their family, friends, and neighbors by employing “best burn” practices. Properly burning the correct type of wood limits exposure to wood smoke, which is a hazardous air pollutant.
While the majority of Connecticut homes burn natural gas or fuel oil for heat, thousands of Connecticut residents burn wood. Did you know that one old, inefficient wood stove can emit as much air pollution as five dirty, old diesel trucks?
Wood smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains toxic air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, benzene, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Wood smoke can cause severe health impacts and significantly contribute to poor air quality days in many areas across the state.
Based on the impacts associated with inhaling unhealthy levels of wood smoke, DEEP recommends residents use these “best burn” tips to reduce wood smoke pollution:
- Not all wood is the same. To reduce particle pollution, only burn dry, seasoned wood. Softwoods, such as pine or Douglas fir, need at least six months to dry, and hardwoods, such as oak, need at least a year.
- Never burn household trash, including cardboard, plastics, foam, magazines, boxes and wrappers. Coated, painted and pressure-treated lumber, ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board, or any wood with glue on or in it should not be burned either. Not only do these materials release toxic or harmful chemicals when burned, but they may damage your appliance.
- Don’t burn wet wood. Burning wet wood creates excessive smoke and the wood burns inefficiently, meaning the heat literally goes up in smoke. Buy an inexpensive moisture meter at a hardware store to test the moisture content of your wood and only burn wood if the moisture content is 20% or less.
- Newer is cleaner. Old wood stoves are bad polluters and less efficient than newer ones. Newer, EPA-certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts (wood stoves designed to fit into a fireplace) reduce air pollutants by 70% compared to older models. Additionally, EPA-certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts are up to 50% more energy efficient, use one-third less wood for the same heat, and help lessen the risk of fires by reducing creosote build-up in chimneys.
- Provide sufficient air to the fire; never let it smolder. A smoldering fire is neither safe nor efficient.
- Keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. Harmful chemicals, like carbon monoxide, can be released into your home.
- Regularly remove ashes into a covered, metal container. Store the container outdoors on a nonflammable surface.
- Be sure to always keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Always check your local air quality forecast before you burn.
For more information, visit EPA’s Best Wood-Burning Practices webpage.
For more information on wood smoke and health impacts, visit EPA’s Wood Smoke and Your Health webpage.
For information about energy assistance programs available, visit Heating Help - Connecticut Heat Assistance Programs
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110