Heating Your Home with Wood: Eco-friendly? Carbon Neutral?

Approximately 20 percent of the single family dwellings in Canada are heated to some extent with wood.  According to Environment Canada, wood is used in more than 3 million Canadian homes as either a primary or secondary heat source. Of course, woodstoves and fireplaces are not only used for heating purposes, but also to create a “comforting and cozy” atmosphere.

The Environment Canada site goes on to say that, in Canada, residential wood heating is responsible for 29% of the fine particle emissions associated with human activities. This makes it the third largest source of these emissions overall.  Wood smoke contains over 100 pollutants -- these pollutants not only negatively impact the environment but are also linked to a wide range of health problems, and residential wood combustion is a major contributor to winter smog.

That said, the efficient use of wood fuel is much more eco-friendly than more efficient and convenient fuels like kerosene and natural gas. According to the Green Trust website, natural gas emits 15 times more CO2 (carbon dioxide) per kg than wood, and kerosene nearly 10 times as much. Across the globe, most scientists now agree that CO2 is the main source of global warming.

Natural Resources Canada states:  Wood, however, differs from fossil fuels such as oil and gas because it is carbon neutral. The term "renewable" refers to the fact that trees recycle CO₂. As a tree grows, it uses CO₂ from the air as a source of carbon to build its structure. This carbon makes up about half of the weight of wood. When wood is burned, it decomposes rapidly, and CO₂ is released into the atmosphere again. A similar amount of CO₂ would be slowly released if the tree died and was left to rot on the forest floor. As a result, wood heating doesn't contribute to the problem of climate change the way fossil fuel use does. But wood fuel is truly renewable only if it is produced by using sustainable forestry practices. Canada's forests can be a perpetual source of fuel – as long as they are cared for and managed properly.

So at this point in my research, it looks like as long as wood burning is sustainable and doesn't cause deforestation, its CO2 emissions are neutral, and a better option than some other “conventional” heating technologies.  I am relieved, as I must admit that I love a cozy fire on a cold winter’s night!

But I’m not stopping there!  I feel that I have just scratched the surface on this topic, so will be continuing in the coming days with more related posts.  Watch for:

• Wood Heating Facts
• Choosing a Wood Heating Appliance
• Making Your Wood Fire Efficient
• Firewood
• Other Heating Alternatives

For more about Pender Island real estate, visit Howard Sanders online @ www.HomesOnPender.com

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Howard on Pender