Re: Firewood as an energy source

Yes, pollution is a problem. City ordinances in the state call for a certain level of grams/hr for new stoves as advised by the EPA. Mine happens to be very low which is one of the reasons I acquired it. A correctly running stove meaning installed, cleaned, fired properly, will be somewhat efficient. The CAT (catalytic) stoves can be very fuel efficient when installed and operated properly. The best one in N. America is the Blaze King.

Some other cities will employ a fire ban on days where pollution is too high. Not the one I am in. The major producer of pollution are autos and the coal fired electrical plants, tho the latter are advertised as being pollution efficient, an oxymoron.

There are rules and regulations for firewood collection in the vast forests around here. Sometimes they are actually followed. So far there are not enough people to strip the lands of the forests. Yet. The forests are still winning, and they will of course win in the long run anyway.

A major source of firewood are the pines. Beetle kill has ripped through large swathes of pine growth. And after 30 years, there are programs to clear these out. One can already see new growth going in where these area had been decimated.

By far the best kind of wood is pinon. And scrub oak. Very high BTUs. I was shocked last year to run into a guy who's family has ranch land south of here, who was cutting live pinon and selling it. That kind of thing is unconscionable, but it is a sign of the economy as the fellow was "using his mom's truck" to sell this stuff for rock bottom prices. Am seeing more of this.

So there are rules and regs, and sometimes people follow them too. I would far rather have the sweet smell of pinon or mesquite than a coal fired plant entering my lungs. And the forests will still do fine. So far. The activity of harvesting wood is very satisfying too, for those who want to do it. Probably contributes as much mentally and emotionally as it does to ease the pocketbook. Tweet