Choosing wood heating can provide a warm atmosphere while being economical. However, it is crucial to adopt responsible behaviors to minimize the impact on our air quality and our environment. Here are four simple actions that will allow you to enjoy your stove or fireplace while remaining eco-responsible.
1. Selecting quality wood
The type of drink that you use plays a determining role in the quality of combustion. THE resinous, such as fir or pine, generate more residue and can block the ducts. Instead, opt for hard hardwoods such as beech, oak or hornbeam, which offer good energy efficiency and burn slowly.
For best results it is essential that the wood is perfectly dry, with a humidity level of less than 20%. This can reduce polluting emissions by up to 70%. You have the option of purchasing wood already dried or allowing it to dry for 12 to 18 months. If time is of the essence, choose “extra-dry” wood. If necessary, a humidity detector can also check its quality.
2. Rigorous maintenance of your devices
L’interview of your equipment is essential for efficient combustion. A poorly maintained device will emit more pollutants. It is therefore recommended to carry out a chimney sweeping at least once a year, or even twice in some regions. This reduces the risk of fire and optimizes smoke evacuation. If your device is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a modern model, which will be up to 10 times less polluting.
Recent equipment, bearing labels such as Green Flame, are specially designed to minimize emissions. Proper maintenance guarantees their proper functioning and efficiency.
3. Appropriate usage practices
The way you use your wood can make all the difference in terms of emissions. To achieve this, adopt a few good habits:
- Light your fire from the top, this method can significantly reduce fine particle emissions.
- Avoid overloading the fireplace and choose logs of the right size.
- Encourage lively combustion, ensuring an adequate air supply. Burning at a reduced rate is less efficient and can increase pollution.
These practices improve air circulation and promote complete combustion, thus helping to reduce toxic emissions.
4. Reduce your energy consumption
To reduce your impact on the environment, consider reducing the amount of wood used. Here are some tips to achieve this:
- Optimize the insulation of your home to limit heat loss.
- Maintain a reasonable temperature of around 19°C in living areas.
- Use modern appliances with high efficiency: a recent stove or insert can reach more than 80% efficiency, unlike an open fireplace which does not exceed 10%.
By consuming less wood, you not only minimize your costs, but you also do something for the planet.
