Wood, or “wood biomass,” is a renewable resource, and plentiful in New Hampshire. It is estimated that up to 25 percent of New Hampshire homes have wood stoves as a primary or secondary source of heat. Unfortunately, smoke from wood burning stoves and fireplaces can be a significant source of air pollution, and have a negative impact on public health and the environment. People can reduce the amount of smoke from wood stoves by choosing low-emission EPA-certified wood stoves, operating them properly, and using good quality firewood. This improves combustion efficiency, reduces emissions, and helps protect public health and the environment. It also can save the homeowner from unnecessary heating costs.
For more information about clean burning woodstoves and clean burning techniques, see the following links.
- Keene Woodstove Changeout Campaign
- EPA ‘Burn Wise’ Campaign
- Wood Stoves and Air Pollution
(Fact Sheet ARD-36) - “Heating With Wood”, UNH Cooperative Extension
- Chimney Safety Institute of America – How to prevent chimney fires
- The Wood Heat Organization
- “Woodburning Handbook” – a publication of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, San Francisco, Calif.
- Clean Home Heating – information and short videos from Air Watch Northwest on “How to Select a New Stove” and “How to Operate Your Wood Stove More Efficiently.”
- Firewood: Our Renewable Resource (UNH Cooperative Extension fact sheet)
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