D
      id you know that by changing
the way you burn wood you can
save money, reduce air pollution
and protect your health?

Here are a few simple tips to make
your fire burn hotter, keep your
wallet fatter and keep your local
air cleaner and healthier.
 '  Season all firewood. All firewood should be
tot split, securely covered or stored, and aged
for at least six months. Seasoned wood burns
hotter, cuts fuel consumption and reduces the
amount of smoke your appliance produces.


 '  Choose the right firewood.  Hardwoods are
tof the best.  Never burn trash or treated wood
which can emit toxic air pollutants.

 '  Start it right. Use only clean newspaper
(%$ or dry kindling to start a fire.  Never use
gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter, or a
propane torch.
 /  Clean ashes from your wood-burning
tot appliance. Excess ashes can clog the air
intake vents reducing efficiency. Be sure to
dispose of ashes in a metal container away
from the house or any flammable material to
reduce the risk of fire.

 '  Keep your chimney clean. A clean chimney
tot provides good draft for your wood-burning
appliance and reduces the risk of a chimney
fire. Have a certified professional inspect your
chimney once a year.

 *  Be a good neighbor. Follow best practices
tot for burning wood.  Always remember to
comply with state and local codes and check
your local air quality forecast.


 '  Follow instructions. Operate your wood-
   burning appliance according to the
manufacturer's instructions and follow all
maintenance procedures.


 •'  Upgrade to cleaner equipment.  EPA-
O certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts
burn cleaner and burn wood more efficiently
emitting less particle pollution than  older
models.
 4  Don't let the fire smolder. Many people think
tot they should let a fire smolder overnight. But
reducing the air supply does little for heating
and increases air pollution.
                                              ' Size matters. Choose the right-sized
                                             W appliance for your needs. If your wood-
                                             burning appliance is too big for your room or
                                             house, the fuel will smolder and create more air
                                             pollution.
           For more information on how to burn wise, go to www.epa.gov/burnwise

                                                                          EPA-456/F-09-004

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