News-Miner Editorial
Not so easy
Wood heat can be economical, but it takes care and planning
Published Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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Stumble It!The idea of burning wood to save money on fuel oil seems like a good one to most people. While it can be economical, burning wood as a practical heating source takes careful planning and preparedness — and that’s assuming you have a good quality wood stove at home.
If you’re just getting started, it’s best to pool resources with a more experienced woodcutter who knows where to gather wood, knows which trees are best to cut and who has the tools and know-how to cut safely.
Gathering wood for a substantial heating fuel source for a home is no small proposition. One cord of spruce, a 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot stack, may weigh more than 2,000 pounds.
Wear and tear on a vehicle — and cost for gas to go to and from woodcutting areas — can really add up. Serious damage can be done to a vehicle while gathering wood and hauling it along woodcutting roads; especially the ones made slippery and mucky by recent rains. One $500 vehicle repair is equal to the cost of two cords of wood delivered to your home. Chain saws and other equipment cost money to buy and repair.
And time is running out. With nighttime low temperatures dipping under 40 degrees, a homeowner or two may already have put a match to a woodstove his season. Having cut-and-split wood or longer pieces delivered that you can cut and split yourself at home may be a more sensible option for many people.
Now is not the time for novice woodcutters to begin making weekend dashes out to the woods for a winter heat source.
For those who are determined to cut and don’t know a private landowner who will allow wood cutting, the state Division of Forestry offers woodcutting permits through the local office at 3700 Airport Way. Permits are required to cut on state lands, which are the most plentiful and accessible areas locally.
The agency does what it can to provide maps to areas, and the local office does get some field reports throughout the season about the supply of dry timber and about road conditions in the wood cutting areas. Call the local office at 451-2670 or see Forestry’s Web site for wood cutting tips and answers to frequently asked questions at http://forestry.alaska.gov/wood/firewood.htm.
Wood is a fine source of heating fuel and it can be economical, but economical doesn’t necessarily mean simple. Do your homework before heading afield with a chainsaw.
Community Discussion
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But what happens to the air quality in Fairbanks in coming winters as folks made a mad rush to burn wood, tires, plastic, waste oil and other rubbish?
No doubt the quality of life here will erode significantly.
11801N: Air quality is the least of problems when the temperature drops to -60 F below zero without a source of affordable heat. And as far as quality of life...a warm fire beats the alternative.
Yep, thanks to our VIP's down in Legislature, the air quality of interior Alaska should just about top the annual EPA danger zone this winter. Now for a good steady north wind blowing all winter, might just spillover into the Anchorage bowl.
If you have a good woodstove and burn seasoned wood the amount of smoke and air quality isn't going to be that bad. People shouldn't be burning trash in their woodstove. There are some business that burn waste oil, find out who they are and when you change your motor oil let them have it, better than dumping it in the dumpster. Burning wood in a person's home is better than letting the forests burn every summer.
Check out wood pellets which are considered almost pollutant free. You can use a pellet basket along with logs and burn them in any wood stove. Google wood pellets to find out more information. Get a gripe if you think burning wood will erode the quality of life. One of the truly renewable energy sources which have been used by man from the beginning of time.
"If you have a good woodstove and burn seasoned wood the amount of smoke and air quality isn't going to be that bad."
Yeah, but there are a whole lot of foks who burn unseasoned wood and who don't have good wood stoves.
"Burning wood in a person's home is better than letting the forests burn every summer."
Unless everyone is burning black spruce, and harvesting untolds cords per year, woodcutting will have no influence on forest fire risk.
Personally, I look forward to DEC clamping down on wood burning. Fairbanks winter air quality has taken a nose dive in the last 3-4 years, and my personal observation is that it is largely due to the increased burning of wood.
There is more to this borough than downtown Fairbanks, where they measure the air quality. I think you will eventually find the major cause of poor air quality will be linked directly to your oil stoves. Why do you think they are talking about putting scrubbers on oil burning units in this borough.
The Senate passed a $500 rebate and price subsidizes. Let's see what the House does. This may also help some people.
Just burn wood.... Everyone and everywhere, unless your rich. Oil is too expensive... DEC go away, and forget trying to stop me from burning wood.. State isn't going to help and 20 to 30% of its residents are leaving..
Id love not to use any oil at all this winter.. 15 cords of wood ready to burn.
And how exactly is your home heated, AKhusky? For many, fuel oil has become a luxury to be used only when absolutely necessary. I personally enjoy the aroma of woodsmoke. But what I dislike is being judged for choosing a safe and cheap alternative to consuming fossil drops. That smells like a burning pile of manure to me, and be careful, or you too will be left out in the cold, with nothing but your ideological manure to burn when fuel oil climbs out of sight in the future.
Husky speaks the truth, the entire North Star Borough cant burn firewood for too long or there will absolutely be some health hazards that will surely surface. Its not so much the burning of the wood thats so bad lots of states do that, but more our geographical location coupled with the thermal inversion effect of living in a valley coupled with the extreme cold. It was pretty bad at times last year and theres been an unknown number of wood stoves, outdoor wood and coal fired boilers and pretty much anything else you can imagine has been put in this summer. We'll see.
Besides not flooding another good reason why living in the hills is healthier. Our great city planners also located all the major businesses in one area. How many people let their cars idle in winter while shopping in these stores. Supposedly the IM took care of the pollutants given off by these vehicles.
The ice fog does not necessarily mean the air is substandard. Most people who live outside of downtown Fairbanks live on 1.8 acres or more of land. Most people live miles from Fairbanks. They have never measured the air quality in these areas. Only three sensors for years in a small area downtown.
Remember the Mayor has given the University thousands of dollars to study what causes air pollutants. The results should be in soon, that is if he let's the public know the truth.
Too bad that the government agencies have not made any more woodcutting areas available to the public. Not only are they all 20 miles out of town, but the roads are nearly impassable at times. But it will take more than that to stop me.
I figure that I can get a cord of wood in 3 hours of work. A cord of birch is equal to 150 gallons of heating oil in BTU's. That works out to a measly $225 per hour than I'm saving by cutting my own firewood. Since I'm not a brain surgeon this is well worth it for me.
After investing $7,000 on a wood boiler and $1,000 for an old F-250 I'm still money ahead after less than two years by not having to buy 2,000 gallons of heating oil. I saw this quote and it is the definition of energy independence.
"I like a source of fuel where the price, supply and quality are controlled by one guy: me."
I have some information on alternative heating at www.fairbanksgas.com/energy if anyone is interested. There are charts of BTU content of different wood and links to various resources.
Health hazards come from utility company smoke stacks, oil burning furnaces, and automobile exhaust. Burning wood in a well maintained stove is very economical, very safe, and very comfotable. We heat over 2000 sq.ft. at 70 degrees with only 8 cords of wood! Beats the #*%@ out of dead dinosaurs!
Can't beat the heat from a woodstove! Woodstoves were used during my upbringing for heat and cooking. Had oil stoves and propane but when that cold, cold tempertures came about, oil didn't flow and propane froze. And thank goodness for the woodstoves! Hard work and a pain in the 'tush' to stock pile wood, but boy were we ever in shape! Great exercise. Burnt coal too. Those who didn't have wood heat usually ended up at our house. Hate the cold, but love the wood heat!
Swede,
I burn fuel oil like so many others. You may like the smell of wood, but I am tired of stepping out my door and being choked by others' wood smoke. My neighbors may have the right to burn wood, but I don't feel it is their right to smoke me out in the process. I realize that burning fuel oil creates its own problems, but at least it doesn't cause me to gag when I step out my door.
Bukuof,
Health hazards come from all of the things you mentioned, as well as wood smoke. The fine particulates in all of these sources are a major health hazard in urban areas, including Fairbanks. In fact, the situation is exacerbated in Fairbanks because if the inversions. That is why DEC is likely to take steps to regulate wood burning (and possibly other heat sources) in the vicinity of Fairbanks. Other states are also considering similar steps because of the increased burning of wood throughout the country.
To all the folks getting wood stoves installed this year, PLEASE read the books that come with them. PLEASE talk to someone that has experience with using stoves. They are very good sources of heat, but if you don't know how to manage a fire, can be dangerous. There is a lot more to managing a fire than tossing wood and a match in the stove. The wood being cut now, while better than nothing, will burn better NEXT year. It needs to season. Also, you MUST clean your chimney periodically, and pay attention to disposing of ashes. They need to be cold before you take them to the transfer station. Set them outside for a few days, not in the garage where they may start a fire.
'I am tired of stepping out my door and being choked by others' wood smoke. My neighbors may have the right to burn wood, but I don't feel it is their right to smoke me out in the process'
You probably shouldv'e inquired around the neighborhood on who burnt wood before taking residence or posted notices on your property that no wood burning allowed. I am sure they are not 'smoking you out' on purpose. And I am sure they do not consider it 'their right' to smoke anyone out and if it is economical for them to burn wood for heat, than that is their right of choice just as yours is to burn oil.
Its not just around your house , wait till you drive down Badger Road or the Richardson Highway this coming Dec and the wood smoke blanket lays on the road so thick you cant see, it will be downright unbareable. We saw smigents of it last year but this year will be 10 times worse. All you have to do is drive around the neighborhoods in the borough and you'll see all the homes with that second chimney in the middle of the house that didn't used to be there, theres a bunch of em. And just wait till the house fires start from improperly installed chimneys,its coming.......
AKhusky said: "Personally, I look forward to DEC clamping down on wood burning."
LOL- Don't hold your breath.
People who think it's their right to not breath other people's wood smoke are the same people who think it's their right not to see other people on a pristine river. They're the ones that can't get along with others and somehow think we live where there were never people in the past. The people who complain about too many people or the quality of life are somehow never the ones you see jumping off of bridges or going somewhere that there are not people.
Like I said, when the borough announces it is your oil burners causing the pollution, what will you be saying then. Will you step forward and accept responsibility and get rid of your oil burner. By the way, how much ice fog is caused by the coal burners on Ft. Wainwright which are exempt from pollution standards. Before you blame wood burning, find out the truth about it. You people have really been brained washed by the borough officials.
Aksunshine,
You need a reality check. I have lived in my neighborhood for almost 10 years. The smoke from wood burning has only been an issue for the last 3 years as fuel oil prices have sky-rocketed. Asking who burned wood 10 years ago would not have been an indicator of today's circumstances. And how exactly would signs indicating no wood burning on my property control wood burning by my neighbors? Regarding your comment, "if it is economical for them to burn wood for heat, than that is their right of choice just as yours is to burn oil"--I realize that. That is why I will be glad when regulations are in place to control smoke stack emissions from wood burning. I can not control it, but DEC and the Burrough can.
"You people have really been brained washed by the borough officials"
Nope. I have formed my opinions based on my own experience of breathing lots of smkoe and by seeing it lay in low elevation clouds in and around the city.
"when the borough announces it is your oil burners causing the pollution, what will you be saying then. Will you step forward and accept responsibility and get rid of your oil burner."
I would do what it takes to be in compliance with what ever regulations are implemented.
Wintersucks,
You're wrong on that. The issue of polluted air is a classic case of what is known as the tragedy of the commons, which involves a conflict over a finite resource (clean air in this case) between the public good and individual interests. Individuals feel it is their right to degrade the air for their personal gain (cheaper heating costs in this case), but it is in the interest of the public (i.e. everyone) that the air remains unpolluted. The only difference berween you and me is that you feel it is your right to pollute a resource (air) used by everyone, whereas I do what I can to try to minimize my impact on that resource (as imperfect as my efforts are), even if it costs me more to do so.
Brain washed by the Borough ....yeah thats it. It has nothing to do with what my own two eyes see (SMOKE) and what my own nose smells (SMOKE). 50 years ago 100,000 people didn't live in the borough, today 100,000 people do. Everyone cant burn wood living in a valley influenced by a thermal inversion or people WILL start having respiratory effects from the smoke, its not rocket science. As was said, when oil was reasonably priced very few people relied on wood solely for heat, no comparison to today or this coming winter. Just wait till the coal fired boilers start burning in neighborhoods, thats gonna be real interesting! They've got us between a rock and a hard place no doubt!
Thank you newsminer for the editorials. I didn't think you could find a more relevant story than last weeks article on grass clippings floating down the Chena. I guess all the flooding washed that problem away.
Now, you're discouraging people from cutting wood to fill their stoves in a time like this. We are Alaskans, I think we understand the rigors of firewood. Your editorials are as helpful as Obama's advice to inflate your tires and get a tuneup. PLEASE NO MORE PATRONIZING!
I would do what it takes to be in compliance with what ever regulations are implemented.
It absolutely amazes me the attitude that has invaded Alaska. Just make a rule/law/regulation, we will obey and comply. Unbeliveable!! I never thought I would see this in my lifetime here of all places. At least I can live part of each year in the bush, where this type of attitude is still foreign.
if burning wood in a woodstove becomes illegal then i guess we'll have to become a city of lawbreakers. i don't have a woodstove, but i'm not going to try and take my neighbors stove away from him. too much smoke in fairbanks? awww what a shame. but lets not ever drill for new oil anywhere.
Yukonjohn,
As the population of Fairbanks and Alaska increases, it is inevitable that some regulation will be necessary. I do not necessarily like the notion any more than you do, but at least I recognize the need for it sometimes. Of course the notion of regulating air quality is foreign out in the bush--the low density of people does not necessitate any action. But it is unreasonable to think that people who reside in more heavily populated areas can do whatever they choose to do, regardless of the consequences on their neighbors.
I have come to recognize that the so called independent-minded Alaskan is often an inconsiderate Alaskan who only cares how his/her actions benefit him/her (the reason why the tragedy of the commons exists). If it were up to folks like you, Fairbanks air quality will in a short time be akin to the air quality of the U.S. at the start of the industrial revolution, when no one regulated anything (look at China's air quality as a present day example). Of course, it was bad air that necessitated mandatory federal regulation, because individuals and industries do not have a very good track record at demonstrating self-restraint.
Now let's clarify, are you people talking about wood boilers( the ones that are out doors and in a basement) or wood stoves (the one's that are indoors generally in a living area). There is a big difference here. A wood stove if burning properly does not give off smoke, but you can see waves of heat coming out of the pipe.
Another question, what if the air pollution is caused by particulates brought in from areas we have no control over.
By the way, if you had checked out the hills you will realize it is anywhere from 10 to 30 degrees warmer in the winter. So hill dwellers do not have to burn as much of what ever they heat with as bottom dwellers.
It's fun reading these comments and listening to the bickering. It doesn't matter what the subject is, someone has to take the contrary position. I could say the sky is blue and the grass is green and someone would say I'm wrong.
LOL
Mike_Jayne,
You can't possibly be talking about me, because according to Yukonjohn, I am a lemming.
You can now buy clean burning hydronic wood furnaces. See:
http://www.epa.gov/woodheaters/models.ht...
for information on wood burning, see:
http://www.canren.gc.ca/prod_serv/index....
Just 30 miles north of Fairbanks, you can live in an unincorporated borough. No property taxes and no borough assemblies to tell you what to do.
By the way, look quick there is a strange round object in the sky giving off heat and light. For all of you who like to live your life by regulations, NYC regulates if sunlight is blocked by new buildings. How many of you want to have the government regulate every aspect of your life to ensure the "betterment of all."
Hey Usuallyright and Husky, I do not call anyone names. I do get an attitude about people that come up here and try to change where I live to resemble where they came from. That is why I left down there almost 3 decades ago. As bad as I hate to see it, there is going to be an exodus out of here as soon as the PFD comes out. That should relieve some of the overcrowding we are now experiencing. You are correct when you say there are many rules/regulations/laws that I dislike. I am proactive by communicating with my legislators and assemblymembers. Alaska is set up better than most other states for the people to govern themselves, as it should be. I am not so naive to believe it will work well with a huge population, but it sure works well here. And yes, you are also correct in thinking that I like the "old" Fairbanks, the one with the prostitutes and bars everywhere. This town was founded by a crook and had crooks in it for its entire existance. (That hasnt even changed in modern times) If a person finds that they really dislike living in a place like that, there is a road leading south. (Not directed to any one person)
Whatever happen to "North to the Future", seems like it is becoming North to New California.
Woodman FYI The Fort Wainwright coal fired power plant completed a multi-year, multi-million dollar project that resulted in scrubbers and cooling towers being installed to eliminate particulate emissions and ice fog that used to blanket the Richardson highway. AND the other coal fired power plants here in town have either installed the same pollution control equipmnet or are in the process of making the upgrades. Find someone else to blame.
Boy you guys really take everything so personal. No the University study should find out who is to blame. Maybe it would be wise to wait till then before you place all the blame on one group. I figure global warming will take care of the climate from what you people write. Just a matter of time.
I think akhusky need to move back to where ever he is from. He seems to really miss all the rules, regs, and general official snooping.
First, if you are a n00b going out for firewood before the ground freezes up, TAKE SOME RECOVERY GEAR WITH YOU TO GET UNSTUCK- yer gonna need it. BLM firewood permits are only around $10-15. Visit the office on University Avenue.
If you've never run a chainsaw before, you're probably better off to stay home this fall and get a pole load ordered to practice on, so if you hurt yourself, you're closer to a phone. An ambulance run from Salcha right now is about $7-800 smackers. You shouldn't go alone either,for safety reasons.
Second, if you are doing a new install (not necessarily a new stove), KNOW THE FIRE CODES, BEFORE you do your installation.
Third, presuming you have insurance, ASK YOUR AGENT how much your premiums are going to go up with said installation.
Fourth, if you have an old stove/system, or are buying a used stove/system GET THEM INSPECTED BEFORE USE OR INSTALLATION.
Fifth, make sure you buy nothing smaller than a 10# fire extinguisher and a stack brush. JUST DO IT.
Sixth, make sure EVERYONE in your household knows some safety aspect about the stove, whether they are filling it, or just playing near it. Your family should also have a fire escape plan and know the 'stop, drop, and roll' routine.
I for one have been looking at stoves for a future home. The one I've decided on was the Greenwood furnace, www.greenwoodfurnace.com
The reason for this was the particulate emissions. I believe Alaska Interior Products has one on display at the Fair near the Petting Zoo.
You also might check into your pellet stove fuel sources, as I do business with a beekeeping outfit in the Lower 48 who ordinarily sells pellet fuel. They have discontinued their online sales, due to demand, so make sure you do your homework for your resources before you go dropping a bunch of coin.
Woodstove emissions aren't the only players for our air quality folks; those wusses who leave their rigs running while going in for milk/bread/eggs at -20 aren't any help either. That's a whole 'nuther thread on its own.
Please chose a stove wisely, so we aren't stuck with a wood stove ban in our future, and use a little sense and caution out in the woods.
Hey Mike
you are so right, so much negativity!!!
Cassia's mom.
If you do your homework, you will realize that most wood stoves, specially modern ones, are EPA approved. Also, wood stoves are very popular now more than ever along the East coast of the US, including rural areas of major cities. Heating fuel is the primary source for heating homes and buildings in the East coast, and the reason why a lot of people are returning to the use of wood stoves to assist with heating their homes. Wood stoves have been used in Europe for centuries, and some of these stoves are very popular with US consumers. Wood stoves are very popular in Canada, too. The boiler in my home spews more pollutants that just about any wood stove around.
There is nothing the Borough can do to prevent residents from staying warm during the winter months, since to a lot of folks staying warm is just survival.
I somewhat agree with Woodman. It seems that the interior is turning into CA, or at least into Los Anchorage. There has to be a law for everything; don't smoke, don't spit, don't stare, don't burn wood, don't cut wood, and on and on. Soon the men will turn...ah...metrosexual?
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