12 noon & 7 p.m.

Jonathan Kays

pJanuary 31, 2012

yNat. Res. Extension Specialist

University of Maryland Extension

John AckerlyJohn AckerlyPresident

Alliance for Green Heat

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Other questions should be submitted to EllenOther questions should be submitted to Ellen Green egreen13@umd.edu.

Initial Poll

Suggested ResourcesSuggested ResourcesHeating With Wood In Maryland 

Suggested ResourcesSuggested Resources

• 12‐page fact sheet available for free download at: • www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Publications/PDF

s/FS926WoodFuel.pdf

www.naturalresources.umd.edu• Educational opportunities• Free forestry newsletter• Free forestry newsletter• Events & Resources 

www.forgreenheat.org• Residential wood heat information• Wood energy policy

WebsiteWebsitewww naturalresources umd eduwww naturalresources umd eduwww.naturalresources.umd.edu www.naturalresources.umd.edu 

Starting Sta t gPoll

What We Will Learn TodayWhat We Will Learn TodayJohn Ackerly

What We Will Learn TodayWhat We Will Learn Today

Demographics of wood use in MarylandChanges in wood stove technology: efficiency, emissionsCost and installation considerations

J th KJonathan KaysResearch on outdoor wood boilersComparing wood to other heating fuelsComparing wood to other heating fuels Sourcing firewood & pelletsCutting your own firewood & proper seasoningg y p p g

JohnJohn AckerlyAckerlyJohn John AckerlyAckerlyPresident, Alliance for Green HeatPresident, Alliance for Green Heat

www.forgreenheat.orgwww.forgreenheat.org

Wood is fastest growing heat fuelWood is fastest growing heat fuel• 2.1% of families use wood or pellets as primary heat; aboutprimary heat; about 10% use it as secondary heat• In Maryland, woodIn Maryland, wood heat grew 33% from 2000 to 2010; today 1.2% use it as primary heat.•Wood heat grew 34% from 2000 to 2010;

2 %electricity grew by 24%

Highest per capita wood heating: Garret, Allegany & Calvert counties

Biggest wood heat populations: Frederick, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties

Wood Smoke Complaints in MDWood Smoke Complaints in MDWood Smoke Complaints in MDWood Smoke Complaints in MD

Red most complaints Orange some complaintsRed – most complaints; Orange – some complaints; Yellow – few complaints; Purple – no complaints.

Source of Wood Smoke Complaints: Source of Wood Smoke Complaints: td b il t th li ttd b il t th li toutdoor boilers top the listoutdoor boilers top the list

Source: Maryland Dept. of Environment

W d H t B fit L I F iliW d H t B fit L I F ili

18% of MD homes have at least

Wood Heat Benefits Low Income FamiliesWood Heat Benefits Low Income Families

18% of MD homes have at least one wood combustion appliance. They consume 340,000 tons of wood/yr.

Wood heat can reduce  electricity usage – displacingelectricity usage  displacing electric heating units and eliminating electricity used in f bl dfurnace blowers and pumps. Census Data shows poor MD

families heat with wood much more than wealthier MD families

Types of Stove InstallationsTypes of Stove InstallationsOpen Firewood

Types of Stove InstallationsTypes of Stove Installations

Fireplace insertsWood Stove – firewoodPellet StovePellet Stove Indoor boilers – wood & pelletsOutdoor boilers – wood & pellets

Chimney Options• Clay liner• Clay liner• Stainless steel liner• Exterior insulated pipe

New EPA Wood BurnersNew EPA Wood Burners Post 1988Post 1988 EPA mandatory emissions is 7.5 grams/hr. Washington State requires stoves to be under

New EPA Wood Burners New EPA Wood Burners –– Post 1988Post 1988

Washington State requires stoves to be under 4.5 grams/hr

In 2014, EPA will likely mandate 4.5 for not‐catalytic s and 2.5 for catalytic stoves

Many new stoves already in the 1‐3 grams/hr range 

Lower emissions usually = higher efficiency = savings for consumersavings for consumer

Pellet stovesPellet stovesEPA testing not  required but 

Pellet stovesPellet stoves

emission typically under 2.5 grams per hour. 

Unlike firewood stoves onlyUnlike firewood stoves, only require a small vent pipe, like a dryer

May require repair. Requires electricity.U 40 lb b fUses 40 lb bag of                    pellets

Wood BoilersWood BoilersNew MDE regulation. Wood b il l ll d d

Wood BoilersWood Boilers

boilers, also called outdoor hydronic heaters, installed after October 1, 2009  must be EPA 

lifi d l hqualified. Only EPA Phase 2 stoves allowed for sale in MD. 

Other states: New England states, gIndiana, and west coast states.     50 ft setback not required in MD.

Installation of old wood stoves still Installation of old wood stoves still allowed but all stoves must burn clean fuels only.

Indoor wood boiler

Effect of Wood Stove Effect of Wood Stove Effi i F l C tEffi i F l C tEfficiency on Fuel CostEfficiency on Fuel Cost

Fireplace 10% efficient

$59 per million

Non EPA Woodstove40% efficient

$14 7 per million Btu’s

EPA Wood Stove 70% efficient

$8.5 per million

Cost per million Btu’s for a cord of oak purchased for $150 Whether you buy wood or cut it yourself, there are large efficiency savings

pBtu’s $14.7 per million Btu s p

Btu’s

Whether you buy wood or cut it yourself, there are large efficiency savings and health savings from reduced smoke.

Cost of a Wood StoveCost of a Wood StoveItem Estimated Cost

Cost of a Wood StoveCost of a Wood Stove

Wood stove $1,500-3,000* With serviceable chimney $300-$900 for labor and materials

(permit extra)(permit extra)* Build a chimney $2,000 for metal chimney

Pellet stove $2,000 - $3,500*Chi t t id ll $300 $400 f i $300 l b*Chimney to outside wall $300-$400 for pipe - $300 labor

There are cheaper stoves but usually pays to get a quality product

Wood & pellet stove require an

There are cheaper stoves but usually pays to get a quality product. Do not buy used stoves that are pre-EPA.

p qupfront investment – but can have 3-5 year payback

Slides from JohnSlides from JohnSlides from JohnSlides from John

Advice on Buying a Wood StoveAdvice on Buying a Wood StoveWhat type of fuel: firewood or pellets?

Advice on Buying a Wood StoveAdvice on Buying a Wood StoveWhat type of fuel: firewood or pellets?Buy a new stove. Second hand stoves are usually overpriced.

Fi d i d d l h i Find an experienced dealer who carries good brands and has good service.  Big box stores sell inexpensive brands, but no 

iservice.Make sure stove is sized for the room and space that can be heated.• Will the heat be able to move through the 

home?• Ways to improve circulation

Advice on Buying a Wood StoveAdvice on Buying a Wood StoveConsider a pellet stove if you really 

24/7 h i P ll d l

Advice on Buying a Wood StoveAdvice on Buying a Wood Stove

want 24/7 heating.  Pellet and natural gas heat cost about the same these days. Savings can still come from space h iheating.

Consider a catalytic stove if you are more “hands‐on” and expect to use pstove on most or all winter days. Cat stoves are usually about 10% more efficient.

Consider a non‐cat stove for infrequent use and if you expect to be more “hands‐off”more  hands off.  

Jonathan KaysJonathan KaysNatural Resource Extension SpecialistNatural Resource Extension SpecialistNatural Resource Extension SpecialistNatural Resource Extension SpecialistUniversity of Maryland ExtensionUniversity of Maryland Extensionwww naturalresources umd eduwww naturalresources umd eduwww.naturalresources.umd.eduwww.naturalresources.umd.edu

Define TermsDefine TermsBtu – British thermal unit – heat created by burning any 

Define TermsDefine Terms

material. One Btu is amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree F. 

All combustible materials have a Btu ratingAll combustible materials have a Btu rating• Cord of wood (20% moisture) = 24 million Btu’s• Gallon fuel oil = 140,000 Btu’s

G ll P 91 600 B ’• Gallon Propane = 91,600 Btu’s• Therm of natural gas = 1 million Btu’s 

With wood, higher moisture means fewer Btu’s to heat your g yhome

The efficiency of the unit will determine actual heat realized

Efficiency & Performance of Outdoor Wood Efficiency & Performance of Outdoor Wood 

Efficiency

Boilers  Boilers  ‐‐ Alleghany County, MDAlleghany County, MD

EfficiencyBtu outputWoodWood moisture

Air temperature

Best practicespractices

Results & ConclusionsResults & ConclusionsAverage wood moisture of 38% and ranged from 18% to 48%. 

Results & ConclusionsResults & Conclusions

Higher moisture –lower Btu output. Use best practices to properly season and store wood to reduce wood moisture.  

The colder the outdoor temperature the greater the efficiencyThe colder the outdoor temperature, the greater the efficiency of the stove. Effects emissions.

Significant loss of Btu’s indicated in underground pipe  from stove to facility. Underground pipes (supply & return) should be well insulated or higher losses will result.

Comparison of Renewable Energy CostsComparison of Renewable Energy CostsC St dC St d

Type of Energy

Item Cost $ / kWh

Case StudyCase Studygy

Solar hot water Panels (25 yrs life) $15,000Maintenance $3,000 0.327

Wind Windmill (25 yr life) $85,000Maintenance $4,200 0.30Grants, tax credits $40,000 0.165

Wood boiler Stove installed $17,636Maintenance $1,500Installed, buy wood 0.127Installed cut own wood 0 058Installed, cut own wood 0.058Install self, cut own wood 0.043

Conversion – 3412 Btu = I kWh

Fuel Cost for Heating Fuel Cost for Heating SeasonSeasonBased on prices from JanuaryBased on prices from January 20122012Based on prices from January Based on prices from January 20122012

Type of Fuel Fuel Cost per unit

Efficiency (%)

Fuel Cost $/mBtu

Fuel Cost Heating Season

80 mBtu

Firewood stove $200 cord 70% $11.36 $909

Natural Gas furnace

$1.03 therm 85% $12.15 $972

Coal furnace $250 ton 75% $13.33 $1066

Pellet stove $250 ton 70% $21.65 $1732

Oil furnace $3.37 gallon 85% $28.59 $2287Oil furnace $3.37 gallon 85% $28.59 $2287

Propane furnace

$2.67 gallon 85% $34.39 $2751

www.eia.gov/neic/experts/heatcalc.xls

Electric heat $0.14kwh 100% $41.03 $3282

Compare Different Species of Wood to Compare Different Species of Wood to Oth H ti F lOth H ti F lOther Heating FuelsOther Heating Fuels

Species

Million Btu's per

cordGallons of Fuel Oil

100 cu ft of natural gas

Gallons LP Gas

KW hrsElectric

Boxelder 17.5 125 175 192.3 5147

Silv Maple 20.8 148.6 208 229 6118

Red Oak 25 3 180 7 253 278 7441Red Oak 25.3 180.7 253 278 7441

Walnut 21.8 155.7 218 239.6 6412

Locust 28 1 200 7 281 308 8 8265Locust 28.1 200.7 281 308.8 8265

Wood is renewable, inexpensive, and more price stable compared to most fossil fuels.price stable compared to most fossil fuels.

Species matters!

Wood PelletsWood PelletsWide difference in quality – standardization 

Wood PelletsWood Pellets

in process by industry40 lb bags and pallets not acceptable to many people Bulk delivery beingmany people.  Bulk delivery being developed – slowly.

Increased use will depend on pellets becoming a commodity, like fuel oil and propane. 

Pellet Stoves & FurnacesPellet Stoves & FurnacesPellet Stoves & FurnacesPellet Stoves & FurnacesHome pellet systems are available with various hopper storage systems.

Order pellets early to get bestOrder pellets early to get best prices.

Average Use Of WoodAverage Use Of WoodNational average ‐ each wood stove using an average of 1.5 

Average Use Of WoodAverage Use Of Wood

cords per year in Maryland and each fireplace using an average of .25 cords. 

Northeast: $135 $215 range Suppliers anticipate an upwardNortheast: $135‐$215 range. Suppliers anticipate an upward price trend and most report good to excellent sales volumes

Maryland businesses likely sell around $19 million by the cord, and $32 million is smaller packaged bundles.

2010 Maryland Firewood Survey2010 Maryland Firewood Survey Survey of firewood in 

2010 Maryland Firewood Survey2010 Maryland Firewood Survey

classifieds, craigslist, and other internet sources. 

Cord of oak or mixed hardwood cut, split and delivered

Wood must be sold byWood must be sold by the cord in MD

¼ cord or more – no tax Prices range widely in a local area. Pays to look around.

M l d Fi d S (2006M l d Fi d S (2006 2011)2011)Maryland Firewood Survey (2006Maryland Firewood Survey (2006‐‐2011)2011)Region 2006 2008 2010 2011

# $/cd # $/cd # $/cd # $/cd

W. MD 13 123 9 150 12 192 9 192

C MD 16 161 17 199 20 210 17 220C. MD 16 161 17 199 20 210 17 220

S. MD 9 159 14 183 13 178 5 213

E. S. MD 7 164 2 145 3 183 5 208

Average 149 176 195 208

% change from 2006

0% 18% 31% 40%from 2006

• Prices are trending higher from 2006 to 2011• Western MD prices lower than other regions

HowMuch is A Cord?How Much is A Cord?A cord is 128 cubic feet equal to a 

How Much is A Cord?How Much is A Cord?

closely stock split wood that is 4’ tall x 4’ wide x 8’ long. Or an other combination.combination.

Face cord ( 4’ x 2’ x 8’)

128 cubic feet (4’ x 4’ x 8’

How Much Does A Truck Hold?How Much Does A Truck Hold?Fi h h d h d i h?Fi h h d h d i h?First, how much does the wood weigh?First, how much does the wood weigh?Species Green Weight Dry Wt (20%) Million

Btu’s/cordBtu’s/cordOak, Red 4888 3528 24.6Walnut, Black 4584 3192 22.2Cherry 3696 2928 20.4Ash, Green 4184 2880 20.0Sycamore 5096 2808 19.5Sycamore 5096 2808 19.5Maple, Silver 3904 2752 19.0Boxelder 3589 2632 18.3Whit Pi 2250 15 9White Pine 2250 15.9

Question: Can a half ton truck deliver a cord of wood?

HowMuch Does A Truck Hold?How Much Does A Truck Hold?

Truck Type Cubic Foot Loading Stacked to Stacked

How Much Does A Truck Hold?How Much Does A Truck Hold?

Truck Type Cubic Foot Volum

Loadingmethods

Stacked to top of box

Stackedabove top of box

1978 Dodge 73 cub. Ft. Random 0.35 0.449 8 odgelongbed

3 cub a doStacked

0 350.47

00.58

1981 Ford shortbed

62 cub. Ft. RandomStacked

0.300.39

0.370.48

1976 Datsun pickup

39 cub. Ft. RandomStacked

0.180.24

0.230.31

Point! Pickup trucks hold from a 1/5 to ½ of a cord Depends how stacked. 30% difference!

Marsinko& Wooten. 1982. Forestry Bulletin 30, Dept. of Forestry, Clemson University, SC

Delivery PrinciplesDelivery Principles Check the Better Business Bureau and use word of mouth to find a seller

Delivery PrinciplesDelivery Principles

seller. Be there when the  wood is delivered. BEFORE the  wood is unloaded from the truck: • Check the volume  ‐ Is it a full cord?• Check the moisture – consider buying a moisture meter. Can buy at home 

stores or online.  Can ask the provider to bring a moisture meter.  If wet or volume inadequate you can tell them you do not want the wood This is the point to negotiate All this is done in good faithwood. This is the point to negotiate. All this is done in good faith. This is hard work. 

Seller is required by law to leave a receipt with name, address, price paid and amount delivered in cords. They should be registered withpaid and amount delivered in cords. They should be registered with MD Dept. of Nat. Resources 

If an honest cord and dry you may want to give a tip.

Direct Measure of Wood CapacityDirect Measure of Wood CapacityDirect Measure of Wood CapacityDirect Measure of Wood Capacity

Bed length * bed width * bed height = gross volume (cubic feet)

Divide by 128 = # of cords # cords * price per cord = price paidExample: pickup bed of 6’ x 2’ x 4’ equals 48 cu. Ft. Divide 48 by 128 = .38 cords. 

$ / $At $150/cord multiple by 0.38 and wood value is $57. How much are you paying?

Seasoning FirewoodSeasoning Firewood Hardwood requires at least 6‐9 months 

ft lit d d D i

Seasoning FirewoodSeasoning Firewood

after split and covered. Drying process increases after splitting

20% moisture desired before burning Wetter wood provides fewer Btu’s and burns poorly‐ produces CREOSOTE!

The more wood surface exposed to air,  Freshly cut oak

the faster it dries.  Roofs better than tarps.

I year later.

Cutting Your Own WoodCutting Your Own WoodT l & E i tT l & E i tTools & Equipment Tools & Equipment 

BowsawAx

ChainsawSafetygear

PeaveyformovinglogsLogsplitter

Cutting Your Own WoodCutting Your Own WoodFi d C tt ’ R l f Th bFi d C tt ’ R l f Th bFirewood Cutter’s Rule of ThumbFirewood Cutter’s Rule of Thumb

Diameter of Tree 4.5’ from Ground Number of Trees Per Cord5 46 – 556 21 – 336 21 – 337 14 – 188 9 – 149 6 – 910 4 - 616 222 1

Which Trees To CutWhich Trees To CutP i i l C idP i i l C id

Cut trees that give more room

Principles to ConsiderPrinciples to Consider

Cut trees that give more room for growth of more desirable trees.

Cutting live trees the improve growth of remaining trees. 

Leave 3‐5 dead trees per acre Leave 3‐5 dead trees per acre for wildlife habitat.

Mark trees with a ribbon before cutting and then look it over. What will it look like after?after?

Thinning Trees Thinning Trees Rule of Thumb Rule of Thumb –– Pg 71Pg 71

Estimate diameter of trees in Estimate diameter of trees in forest area (4.5 ft from ground)

Multiply by 2 Number of feet between trunks of remaining trees 

EXAMPLE ‐ if the trees average 5 EXAMPLE  if the trees average 5 inches in diameter, the desired spacing would be 10 feet.

If ildlif i j bj ti dd If wildlife is a major objective, add 2–4 feet to the spacing

John Ackerly Jonathan KaysJohn AckerlyPresident

Alliance for Green Heat(301) 841-7755

Jonathan KaysNat. Res. Extension Specialist

University of MD Extension(301) 432-2767 x323(301) 841-7755

www.forgreenheat.orgjohn@forgreenheat.org

(301) 432-2767 x323www.naturalresources.umd.edu

jkays@umd.edu