© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2002
If you are thinking about buying a wood-heating appliance or already heat your home with wood, you may be one of 3 million Canadian households that appreciate the ambience and warmth of wood heat. Wood heating has a long history in Canada and, with new available technologies, more households are returning to wood for renewable energy. Wood-heating technologies have changed a lot in the past decade. Today’s advanced combustion systems burn more cleanly and efficiently than ever.
If you are shopping for a wood-heating appliance or are planning to replace or upgrade your current unit, consider only a highly efficient combustion appliance. You can identify these advanced systems by looking for proof of certification to the performance standards set by both CSA International, formerly the Canadian Standards Association, (“CSA B415.1 Performance Testing of Solid-Fuel-Burning Heating Appliances”) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 1990). Certified systems will give you a cleaner, more efficient burn. If you are already enjoying the benefits of wood heat in your home, use this guide to help you make informed decisions on such matters as the following:
- consulting wood-heating professionals;
- how to maintain your system for safety and peak efficiency;
- how to purchase and store your fuel wood;
- how to use fire management techniques for cleaner, virtually smokeless fires; and
- many other useful tips.
This guide is part of a series of buyer’s guides on renewable energy systems for residential use. More documents on residential wood heating include these titles:
- All About Wood Fireplaces
- An Introduction to Home Heating With Wood
- Buying a High-Efficiency Wood-Burning Appliance
- Getting the Most Out of Your Wood Stove
For electronic versions of these guides, visit the Web site at http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/erb/ reed/public_e.htm. You can also order copies free of charge by calling 1 800 387-2000 toll-free.