CCHRC is evaluating the economic and environmental considerations of a variety of wood energy appliances for residential use, including wood stoves, pellet stoves, wood boilers, and masonry heaters. The testing will operate the wood-burning appliances in ways similar to their everyday use in homes to see how they perform. Additionally, local cord wood species, wood pellets, barley, and other varieties of pellets will be used to fire the appliances.
The goal of the tests is to understand how wood energy appliances perform both environmentally and economically when operated and fired in real world conditions. The findings are intended to help inform consumers of economic consideration of burning wood and the best practices to operate appliances more efficiently, thereby emitting fewer particulates and requiring less fuel.
Wood Storage Best Practices CCHRC completed a study on multiple wood storage methods to see how long it takes to cure firewood. Burning dry wood produces fewer PM 2.5 emissions and more heat energy, a benefit to both homeowners and all borough residents.
Wood Heat – An Alternative to Oil?