Posted on 03/18/2014 5:25:45 AM PDT by thackney
Wood as a main heating source in homes has gained popularity in many areas of the country in recent years, but the increase is most notable in the Northeast. All nine states in the New England and the Middle Atlantic Census divisions saw at least a 50% jump from 2005 to 2012 in the number of households that rely on wood as the main heating source. As the use of fuel oil and kerosene in this region has declined in recent years, many households have turned to lower-cost alternatives, including wood.
In total, about 2.5 million households (2.1%) across the country use wood as the main fuel for home heating, up from 1.9 million households (1.7%) in 2005. An additional 9 million households (7.7%) use wood as a secondary heating fuel. This combination of main and secondary heating accounts for about 500 trillion British thermal units (Btu) of wood consumption per year in the residential sector, or about the same as propane consumption and slightly less than fuel oil consumption.
Heating stoves are the most common equipment used by households that rely on wood as the main source of heat, and fireplaces are the most common choice for secondary wood heating. Most households still burn split logs, although wood pellet use has risen in recent years. And while households in higher income brackets are more likely to use wood, those at lower income levels who burn wood consume more on average.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed updated emissions standards for new wood-burning stoves and other biomass heating equipment. Although these proposed rules address health concerns associated with the release of fine particulates from burning wood, the standards would also result in increased efficiency levels of new wood-burning equipment.
That’s a pain but it may not be a bad idea.
What kind of trees are on the property? Lots of oak and locust maybe? I hope you have a good log splitter and a place to store your wood.
Thanks for the reference. Interesting concept.
For my purposes, a simple wood stove is sufficient. It’s not great to always be loading wood into the unit, but it’s OK.
Theres probably more than a little of trying to force people to live in smaller houses in this. Or at least to encourage folk to invest in more insulation.
I am just rereading this thread. A good Jotul should stay burning for at least eight hours with dry hardwood. Have you checked the gaskets?
Thanks for the follow-up. No, I haven’t checked the gaskets, thinking that it was my loading capabilities. Some 12 years ago, while our house was being built, we lived at that second home and Mrs. OP was proficient at stacking the unit so that it would burn all night long. I never had the “knack” and lately when I attempted it, I failed. The gaskets, as you point out, would be quite tired at this point. I’ll get a new set and replace them. Thanks.
If it is a Jotul 3 or 8 the doors pop off easily and replacing the gasket is an easy job with a wire brush, sealant and the right gasket which I believe is quarter inch.
I don’t know what model Jotul it is, will have to check the back thoroughly to see if I can find a number. We bought it in 1985.
Thanks for the advice.
It would be nice to have it run all night this coming heating season.
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