Cooperative Extension NRAES–23 2003 Revision Heating with Wood and Coal Revised by John W. Bartok, Jr. Extension Professor Emeritus Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering University of Connecticut Based on the 1985 Revision of Burning Wood and Coal by Susan MacKay L. Dale Baker John W. Bartok, Jr. James P. Lassoie Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES) Cooperative Extension • PO Box 4557 Ithaca, New York 14852-4557 i NRAES–23 December 2003 Revision ©2003 by NRAES—Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service All rights reserved. Inquiries invited. (607) 255–7654 ISBN 0-935817-91-3 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Heating with wood and coal / revised by John W. Bartok, Jr.—2003 revision. p. cm. — (NRAES ; 23) Rev. ed. of: Burning wood and coal. c1985. Includes bibliographical references. I. Bartok, John W., 1936– II. Burning wood and coal. III. NRAES (Series) ; 23. TP324.H43 2003 697–dc22 2003064869 Requests to reprint parts of this book should be sent to NRAES. In your request, please state which parts of the book you would like to reprint and describe how you intend to use the reprinted material. Contact NRAES if you have any questions. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES) Cooperative Extension PO Box 4557 Ithaca, New York 14852–4557 Phone: (607) 255-7654 • Fax: (607) 254-8770 E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: WWW.NRAES.ORG ii Contents Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Evaluating Solid Fuels ..................................................................................................3 Advantages and Disadvantages .................................................................................................3 Wood, Coal, or Other Solid Fuel? .............................................................................................3 Comparing Heating Fuel Costs .................................................................................................5 Combustion Basics....................................................................................................................7 Combustion of Wood ................................................................................................................8 Combustion of Coal ..................................................................................................................8 Efficiency ..................................................................................................................................9 Pollution and Air Quality ........................................................................................................10 Chapter 2: Fireplaces ....................................................................................................................13 Chapter 3: Stoves ..........................................................................................................................17 Stove Size ................................................................................................................................17 Materials of Construction .......................................................................................................17 Stove Types .............................................................................................................................17 Coal Stove Design ...................................................................................................................20 Chapter 4: Furnaces and Boilers ...................................................................................................23 Central Heating Options .........................................................................................................23 Features ...................................................................................................................................25 Chapter 5: Installation ...................................................................................................................27 Stove Testing and Certification ...............................................................................................27 Stove Clearances .....................................................................................................................27 Floor Protection ......................................................................................................................27 Wall Protection ........................................................................................................................28 Furnace Duct Clearances ........................................................................................................28 Stovepipe .................................................................................................................................28 Unlisted Stove Installation Checklist ......................................................................................32 Chapter 6: Chimneys .....................................................................................................................33 Factors Affecting the Draft .....................................................................................................33 Chimney Types .......................................................................................................................33 iii Chimney Requirements ...........................................................................................................35 Two or More Connections to One Chimney ...........................................................................35 Chimney Caps .........................................................................................................................35 Chimney Height ......................................................................................................................36 Chimney Inspection ................................................................................................................36 Chimney Cleaning ..................................................................................................................36 Heating System Maintenance .................................................................................................37 Chimney Fires .........................................................................................................................38 Chapter 7: Wood as a Fuel ............................................................................................................41 Buying Firewood ....................................................................................................................41 Cutting Your Own Wood .........................................................................................................43 Characteristics of Wood ..........................................................................................................44 Seasoning and Storing Wood ..................................................................................................45 Operating Techniques .............................................................................................................47 Creosote ..................................................................................................................................47 Stove Operation ......................................................................................................................49 Chapter 8: Coal as a Fuel ..............................................................................................................53 Types of Coal ..........................................................................................................................53 Purchasing Coal ......................................................................................................................54 Storage ....................................................................................................................................55 Operating Techniques .............................................................................................................56 Appendix A: Cutting Firewood with a Chainsaw .........................................................................63 Equipment ...............................................................................................................................64 Operation .................................................................................................................................64 Felling .....................................................................................................................................65 Limbing ...................................................................................................................................66 Bucking ...................................................................................................................................67 Splitting Wood ........................................................................................................................67 References .....................................................................................................................................69 About NRAES ..............................................................................................................................70