It’s time to cut and split (or order) the Winter wood supply for heating stoves here. Wood stoves were Maine’s principal heating source in the 1950s and they still are a frequent supplementary source.
There’s been a reported resurgence in firewood and wood pellet use here lately as fuel oil prices fluctuate, more efficient wood stoves come on the market, and environmental concerns heighten.
As for the environment, Maine government officials report that wood emits carbon dioxide at the rate of just 7 kg/million BTUs, while fuel oil emits 79 kg/million BTUs.
Carbon dioxide released from the combustion or decay of woody biomass is part of a natural wood replacement cycle that does not increase the amount of carbon in circulation, while that from fossil fuels does, according to Dr. Robert Rice of the University of Maine. (Brooklin, Maine)