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Heating With Wood: Opportunities & Challenges for Homeowners

January 12, 2016

Jonathan Kays

Nat. Res. Extension Specialist

University of Maryland Extension

Woodland Stewardship Education• Educational opportunities

• Free forestry newsletter

• Events & Resources

Alliance for Green Heat• www.forgreenheat.org

Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association• www.hpba.org

Suggested Resourceswww.extension.umd.edu/woodland

Fact Sheet Series

Heating With Wood (FS-926)

Buying a Clean Burning Wood Stove (FS-939)

Considerations for your Wood or Pellet Stove Installation (FS-940)

The Wood Stove Checklist (FS-936)

Buying and Storing Firewood & Pellets (FS-937)

Buying a Second Hand Wood Stove (FS-938)

Best Management Practices for Outdoor Wood Boilers (FS- XXX)

Hearth Dealer Directory (2013-A)

Directory of Maryland Firewood Dealers (#2013-A)

Resources Available!(List provided)

Websitewww.extension.umd.edu/woodland

We need to get away from this…

…and onto this!

Heat quality & warmth• i.e. (people hate heat pumps)

Atmosphere & reduce marital strife

Save money

Energy security

Use available wood resources (firewood)

Take advantage of $300 federal tax credit

Exercise & recreation

Renewable! Being green!

Why Heat With Wood?

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Wood is Fastest Growing Residential Heat Fuel

• 2.1% of families

use wood or pellets

as primary heat

• About 10% use it

as secondary heat

• In Maryland, wood

heat grew 33%

from 2000 to 2010;

today 1.2% use it

as primary heat.

Region Total # of HouseholdsHeating w/wood 2010

Total # of Households Heating w/wood 2000

% Change 2000 - 2010

All States in US 2,382,737 1,769,781 34.6%

All Counties in MD 26,358 19,721 33.7%

Allegany Co. 1,747 1,219 43.3%

Anne Arundel Co. 2,378 1,062 123.9%

Baltimore Co. 1,548 1,075 44%

Calvert Co. 1,875 677 177%

Carroll Co. 2,655 1,960 35.5%

Cecil Co. 1,117 717 55.8%

Frederick Co. 3,066 1,998 53.5%

Garrett Co. 1,425 1,558 -9%

Harford Co. 1,326 1,143 16%

St. Mary’s Co. 1,549 1,117 38.7%

Washington Co. 2,151 1,772 21.4%

Primary Heat Source by County in Maryland (2010 Census Data)

Wood & Pellet Stoves Are Leaders in Reducing Fossil Fuels in US

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Pellet Boilerw/Storage

MasonryHeater

EPA WoodBoiler

TraditionalBoiler

Pellet Stove EPA CertifiedWood Stove

Old WoodStove

% in Use

Emissions Average(grams per hour)

Most Wood Heating Equipment is Outdated and Too Polluting

EPA mandated emissions less than 7.5 grams/hr. Result was loss of many stove manufacturers.

Lower emissions accomplished by recirculating of hot gases at high temperatures.

Lower emissions = higher efficiency = more heat from the fuel = savings for consumer

EPA Emission Regulations for Wood Burners – Starting in 1988

How to tell if you stove is

pre-EPA regulation?

- Look for tag on stove

Previous emission limit was 7.5 grams particulates / hr

Starting in 2015, emission limit can not exceed 4.5 grams of particulates per hour

Starting in May 2020, emission limit can not exceed 2.0 grams participates / hr.

Most pellet stove already meet 2 gram limit but many wood stoves will have difficulty.

Wood stove more problematic

Legal challenges to EPA over new standards

New EPA Wood & Pellet Stove Standards –2015 - 2020

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EPA Burnwise Hangtag

Heat created by burning any material. Heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree F.

All combustible materials have a Btu rating• Cord of oak wood (20% moisture) = 24 million Btu’s

• Gallon fuel oil = 140,000 Btu’s

• Gallon Propane = 91,600 Btu’s

• Therm of natural gas = 1 million Btu’s

With wood, higher moisture means fewer Btu’s to heat your home

Btu - British Thermal Unit

Cost per million Btu’s for a cord of oak purchased for $150

Whether you buy wood or cut it yourself, there are large efficiency savings and health savings from reduced smoke.

Effect of Wood Stove Efficiency (emissions)on Fuel Cost

Fireplace

10% efficient

$59 per million

Btu’s

Non EPA Woodstove

40% efficient

$14.7 per million Btu’s

EPA Wood Stove

70% efficient

$8.5 per million

Btu’s

Only heat the main use areas and reduce actual total heat demand

Put stove where you want the heat.

Space Heating vs. Whole House HeatingWood/Pellet Stove Location Important

Open Fireplace

Fireplace inserts – wood & pellets

Wood Stove – firewood

Pellet Stove - pellets

Indoor boilers – wood & pellets

Outdoor boilers – wood & pellets

Chimney Options• Clay liner• Stainless steel liner• Exterior insulated pipe

Types of Stove Installations

Low emission -under 2.5 gr/hr.

Unlike firewood stoves, only require a small vent pipe

May require repair.

Very automated but require electric

Storage of 40 lb. bag of pellets

Pellet stoves

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Augur meters pellets to the burn area

Augur designs vary and some more reliable than others.

Common problem is clogging of grate to ash pan

Most hold at least one 40 lbs. bag

Not all pellets created equal. Will impact operation

How Pellet Stove Work…

Adjust feed rate

Auto ignite

Thermostatic adjustment

Loss of electricity – Achille’s heal• APC backup – 1-2 hours

• Harman surefire – connects to deep-cyle battery for about 8 hours

• Small generator for longer periods

Pellet Stove Automation Improving

Available for firewood or pellets

Hook into hot water or forced air systems

Can be expensive

Pellet delivery not likely

Indoor Wood & Pellet BoilersEligible for MD Wood Grant

Item Estimated Cost

Wood stove $1,500-3,500

* With serviceable chimney $300-$900 for labor and materials

(permit extra)

* Build a chimney $2,000 for metal chimney

Pellet stove/insert $2,000 - $4,000

*Chimney to outside wall $300-$400 for pipe - $300 labor

Cost of a Wood Stove

Wood & pellet stove require an

upfront investment – Payback depends on use.

There are cheaper stoves but usually pays to get a quality product.

Do not buy used stoves that are pre-EPA.

Slides from John

What type of fuel: firewood or pellets?

Buy a new stove. Second hand stoves are usually overpriced.

Find an experienced dealer who carries good brands and service. Avoid big box stores unless…

Make sure stove is sized for the room and space that can be heated.• Will the heat be able to move through the

home?

• Ways to improve circulation

Advice on Buying a Wood Stove

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Consider a pellet stove if you really want 24/7 heating. More automation

Most stoves are non-catalytic stoves and require less care.

Catalytic stoves are usually about 10% more efficient but require more care.

Advice on Buying a Wood Stove

Fuel calculator - http://nepacrossroads.com/fuel-comparison-calculator.php

Fuel Cost for Heating SeasonBased on prices from January 2016

Type of Fuel Fuel Cost

per unit

Efficiency

(%)

Fuel Cost

$/mBtu

Fuel Cost

Heating Season

80 mBtu

Firewood stove $225 cord 70% $16.23 $1298

Natural Gas

furnace$1.35 therm 85% $14.75 $1180

Coal furnace $290 ton 75% $8.33 $666

Pellet stove $250 ton 70% $21.65 $1732

Oil furnace $2.40 gallon 85% $30.90 $2472

Propane

furnace$2.67 gallon 85% $27.37 $2189

Electric heat $0.12kwh 100% $35.17 $2813

Species

Million

Btu's per

cord

Gallons of

Fuel Oil

100 cu ft of

natural gas

Gallons LP

Gas

KW hrs

Electric

Boxelder 17.5 125 175 192.3 5147

Silver Maple 20.8 148.6 208 229 6118

Red Oak 25.3 180.7 253 278 7441

Walnut 21.8 155.7 218 239.6 6412

Locust 28.1 200.7 281 308.8 8265

Wood Species Impacts Btu’s Per Cord(60% of firewood users cut their own wood)

Wood is renewable, inexpensive, and more

price stable compared to most fossil fuels.

Species matters!

Difference in quality – standardization in process by industry

40 lb bags & storage issues a problem

Bulk delivery available in some NE states – not likely here very soon.

Occasional shortages – buy early

Wood Pellets

Super-Premium - <0.5% Ash Premium - <1% Ash Standard - <2% Ash Utility - <6% Ash

Quality Grades of PelletsPellet Fuels Institute (PFI)

Results of Quality Testing from www.woodpellets.com

For residential useHome pellet systems are

available with various hopper storage systems.

Order pellets early to get best prices. Look for quality, not just price!

Pellet Stoves & Furnaces

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Rebate of $700 for pellet stoves and $500 for wood stoves

Must displace electric, non-natural gas fossil fuel heating systems or old woodstoves, and

Eligible stick (log) stoves must:• Be EPA Certified, and Emit no more than 3 grams of particulate matter

(PM)/hr

Eligible pellet stoves must:• Be approved by the state of Washington, and

• Emit no more than 2 grams of PM/hr

Stove must be purchased & installed. Application then sent to MEA. For full details, visit: http://energy.maryland.gov

MEA Wood & Pellet Stove Grant Program County Pellet Wood Total

Allegany 8 0 8

Anne Arundel 219 28 247

Baltimore City 4 0 4

Baltimore 202 15 217

Calvert 169 18 187

Caroline 25 3 28

Carroll 103 6 109

Cecil 33 3 36

Charles 90 11 101

Dorchester 40 2 42

Frederick 62 4 66

Garrett 10 2 12

Harford 301 21 322

Howard 61 3 64

Kent 8 1 9

Montgomery 38 2 40

Prince George's 57 6 63

Queen Anne's 39 2 41

St. Mary's 127 6 133

Somerset 26 2 28

Talbot 30 0 30

Washington 70 7 77

Wicomico 93 9 102

Worcester 47 7 54

Total 1,862 158 2,020

MD Wood Grant ProgramSept. 2012 – January 2016 (85% Pellet Stoves)

Region 2006 2008 2010 2011

# $/cd # $/cd # $/cd # $/cd

W. MD 13 123 9 150 12 192 9 192

C. MD 16 161 17 199 20 210 17 220

S. MD 9 159 14 183 13 178 5 213

E. S. MD 7 164 2 145 3 183 5 208

Average 149 176 195 208

% change

from 2006

0% 18% 31% 40%

Maryland Firewood Survey (2006-2011)

Maryland businesses likely sell around $19

million by the cord, and $32 million is smaller

packaged bundles

A cord is 128 cubic feet equal to a closely stock split wood that is 4’ tall x 4’ wide x 8’ long. Or an other combination.

How Much is A Cord?

128 cubic feet (4’ x 4’ x 8’

Face cord ( 4’ x 2’ x 8’)

Species Green Weight Dry Wt (20%) Million

Btu’s/cord

Oak, Red 4888 3528 24.6

Walnut, Black 4584 3192 22.2

Cherry 3696 2928 20.4

Ash, Green 4184 2880 20.0

Sycamore 5096 2808 19.5

Maple, Silver 3904 2752 19.0

Boxelder 3589 2632 18.3

White Pine 2250 15.9

How much does the wood weigh?

Question: Can a half ton truck deliver a cord of wood?

Truck Type Cubic Foot

Volum

Loading

methods

Stacked to

top of box

Stacked

above top of

box

1978 Dodge

longbed

73 cub. Ft. Random

Stacked

0.35

0.47

0.44

0.58

1981 Ford

shortbed

62 cub. Ft. Random

Stacked

0.30

0.39

0.37

0.48

1976 Datsun

pickup

39 cub. Ft. Random

Stacked

0.18

0.24

0.23

0.31

How Much Does A Truck Hold?

Marsinko& Wooten. 1982. Forestry Bulletin

30, Dept. of Forestry, Clemson University, SC

Point! Pickup trucks hold from a 1/5 to ½ of a

cord Depends how stacked. 30% difference!

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Sourcing FirewoodWhere? Is it a good deal? Credibility?

Hardwood requires at least 6-9 months after split and covered. Over one year on MD eastern shore.

20% moisture desired before burning Wetter wood provides fewer Btu’s and

more creosote! The more wood surface exposed to air,

the faster it dries. Roofs better than tarps.

Seasoning Firewood

Freshly cut oak

I year later.

Check the Better Business Bureau – yellow pages, word of mouth, Craigslist

BEFORE the wood is unloaded from the truck: • Check the volume - Is it a full cord?

• Check the moisture – buy a moisture meter

If there is a problem: Refuse, negotiate, act in good faith!

If an honest cord and dry you may want to give a tip? Tell others!

Delivery Principles

Buy a moisture

meter ~ $25

Seller is required by law to leave a receipt with name, address,

price paid and amount delivered in cords. They should be

registered with MD Dept. of Nat. Resources

Firewood StudyWood dries after it is split

Hickory trees cut 3/15/12, split and stacked 7/31/12

After one year split samples were at 20% moisture, unsplit rounds

were still 30-35% moisture

Cutting Your Own Wood 60% of Firewood User Cut Their Own Wood

ChainsawSafety gear

Bow saw

Peavey for moving logs

Ax

Log splitter

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Diameter of Tree 4.5’ from Ground Number of Trees Per Cord

5 46 – 55

6 21 – 33

7 14 – 18

8 9 – 14

9 6 – 9

10 4 - 6

16 2

22 1

Cutting Your Own WoodFirewood Cutter’s Rule of Thumb

Cut trees that give more room for growth of more desirable trees.

Cutting live trees the improve growth of remaining trees.

Leave 3-5 dead trees per acre for wildlife habitat.

Mark trees with a ribbon before cutting and then look it over. What will it look like after?

Which Trees To CutPrinciples to Consider

Estimate diameter of trees in forest area (4.5 ft from ground)

Multiply by 2

Number of feet between trunks of remaining trees

EXAMPLE - if the trees average 5 inches in diameter, the desired spacing would be 10 feet.

If wildlife is a major objective, add 2–4 feet to the spacing

Thinning Trees Rule of Thumb Jonathan Kays

Natural Resources Extension Specialist

University of MD Extension

(301) 432-2767 x323

www.extension.umd.edu/woodland

jkays@umd.edu