Some thoughts on the press interest last week, around the use of wood as a fuel in wood burners (known as biomass energy).

This was only a small part of a broad set of proposals to generally reduce air pollution.

It is fair to say that this is a problem as much for the Government, as the individual, since large scale adoption of biomass burning for Carbon reduction (including RHI and the “Merton rule” ) are government led policies.

If you want to read the DEFRA advisory report that instigated this, it’s here: Biomass Report 2017 

Some major points;

This has only come to light as a specific problem in dense urban areas.

Note you can’t use wood in open fires or non DEFRA approved stoves in smokeless zones (DEFRA Approved Stoves). You can’t use normal coal either, it must be an accredited smokeless fuel.

Modern stoves are dramatically improving their emissions status.

Many countries are well ahead of us on this, see USA info here; USA Stoves Stove Emissions 

See USA stove tests and ranks here : USA Stoves Ranked By Emissions

Firewood Express UK have adopted the move to <20% moisture, especially for smokeless zones (but still in DEFRA approved appliances)

We do sell partially dried timber for you to dry yourself, but do not recommend burning this timber till below 23% moisture content in rural areas, or 20% in Smoke Control Areas.

20% can be achieved, especially with larch, in 3-6 months seasoning.

Ecological considerations

There was much talk of this including issues like Drax powerstation etc.

What we can tell you is that our timber comes from managed woodland.

All timber harvested in UK must have a felling licence, which stipulates a re-planting period. Information on Felling Licences 

Most woodlands are now replaced with a woodland of greater amenity value, than the one felled.

Growing woodland absorbs more CO2 per year than mature woodland. Source: Carbon Sequestration By Woodland 

If wood displaces any fossil fuel, or electricity generated from a fossil fuel, the greenhouse gas benefit is very large (although there is a deterioration of particulate content in the case of gas). Important in rural areas where oil and LPG gas central heating are the norm.

We would want to take this chance to re-enforce the point that our wood is UK sourced (Firewood Express UK procurement policy), most within 20 miles of our base. But you need to watch out because the market is awash with Eastern European imports with no traceability.

Firewood Express Recommendations:

In light of this, we now recommend the following:

1. All wood burning stove users to fit DEFRA (Or US, in non-smoke controlled areas) approved stoves if fitting from new.

2. Those with non-approved or older stoves should consider upgrading when budget allows, you replace you car periodically, consider the stove the same, technology is moving on.

3. If drying your own wood, invest in a moisture meter and follow the rule of burning wood only once the mosture content is <20% for smokeless zones.

4. Do not burn other items in your fire, especially painted wood or plastics.

5. Those with open fires; these are the worst offenders, and in fact are much less efficient. Consider fitting a stove.

6. There is some concern about the “user” variability, we will produce a state of the art user guide very soon, to ensure lack of knowledge is not the issue.