Heating with firewood

IMPORTANT SEASONAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS!

Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors warn you of fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and test once a week. Replace batteries twice a year, or when the detector chirps to signal that the battery is dead. Don't ever take the battery out for other uses!

Plan and Practice Your Escape
If fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Choose a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Once you are out, stay out! Have the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year.

INFORMATIONAL POSTERS ON FIREWOOD (pdf)

Having trouble downloading the posters? Visit this link to download free copy of Adobe Reader. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS ON FIREWOOD (Windows Media format)

Introduction (3.7 MB)
Defining a cord of wood and storing it (5.7 MB)
How firewood is processed and more storing tips (6.7 MB)
Stacking and storing firewood (5.3 MB)
Drying firewood, with "dry kiln on wheels" (3.5 MB)
Importance of gaps in your stack of firewood (3.5 MB)
Ideas on how to keep ground moisture out of your firewood (4.5 MB)
Where to find alternative sources of firewood (9.4 MB)
When to buy firewood (2.5 MB)

Questions on any of these posters, videos or stacking, storing or drying firewood? Please contact Peter Lammert, Stewardship Forester with the Maine Forest Service at (207) 624-3729 for more information. Or you may also submit a question by visiting this link .

EFFICIENT WOOD HEATING TIPS

How to Burn Wood Right
Cleaner Burning Wood stoves & Fireplaces (US EPA Wood Heating Homepage)
Outdoor Wood Boilers (US EPA Outdoor Wood Boiler Homepage)
Maine DEP Outdoor Wood Boiler Web Site
List of EPA Certified Wood Stoves
Tips for Burning Firewood in Your Home (pdf)

WOOD FUEL CALCULATOR

Fuel Value Calculator (calculator spreadsheet)

FIREWOOD DEALERS
For a list of firewood dealers, please click here (doc) . (pdf)
(Please note that this list is not exhaustive, but rather an attempt to provide assistance to those trying to locate a firewood dealer in their area. If you have suggested additions or would like to be removed from this list, please visit this link or call (207) 287-4909 .

http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/weightsandmeasures.html

LINKS OF INTEREST

Heating with Wood the "Lazy" Way: Plan Ahead! (University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #7116 www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/7116.htm

Recommended Standards for the Installation of Woodburning Stoves (pdf)

Is your firewood safe? Maine Forest Service advisory regarding firewood: www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fhm/pages/firewood.html

Firewood: Where do I get it, and where do I store it? (.pdf)
By Peter Lammert, Stewardship Forester

Maine chimney sweeps (from the Fire Marshal's office): http://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/documents/Chimneysweeps_001.doc

Concerned that you may not have received a full cord? Contact the Department of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Division at (207) 287-3841 or visit their webpage at: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/weightsandmeasures.html