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 taf 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 for or dry kindling to start a fire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter, or a propane torch. / Clean ashes from your wood-burning t«,x 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 to provide good fa* draft for your wood-burning appliance and to reduce risk of a chimney fire. Have a certified chimney sweep inspect your chimney once a year. / Be a good neighbor. Follow best practices k~t for burning wood and always remember to comply with state and local codes. Follow instructions. Operate your wood- burning appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions and follow all maintenance procedures specified by the manufacturer. / Upgrade to cleaner equipment. EPA- faf certified and qualified wood stoves, fireplaces, and wood boilers burn cleaner and burn wood more efficiently emitting less particle pollution than older epuipment. ' Don't let the fire smolder. Many people think O they should let a fire smolder overnight. But reducing the air supply does little for heating and can increase air pollution. Size matters. Choose the right sized applicance for your needs. If your wood- burning appliance is too big for your room or house, the fuel will smolder at low loads and create more air pollution. **"** For more information about burning cleaner, go to www.epa.gov/burnwise ------- |