Is wood burning bad for the environment?
A wood heating system is the right choice for the increasing number of consumers who are concerned about our environment. Wood is a totally renewable resource, which, when burned, results in no net carbon dioxide increase. Carbon dioxide is a part of the natural plant-growth cycle and occurs naturally when trees are allowed to rot on the forest floor. On the other hand, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide when burned which otherwise would stay trapped in the earth. This causes a net increase in carbon dioxide, which is believed to be responsible for the heat-trapping “greenhouse effect.” So when heating with wood versus fossil fuels, you actually achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, cutting firewood has a pruning effect on forests, which allows new growth to flourish. The wood you burn will likely come from your local area. It’s not imported and not subject to price increases due to events outside your control, as is the case with oil and natural gas.
A wood heating system is the right choice for the increasing number of consumers who are concerned about our environment. Wood is a totally renewable resource, which, when burned, results in no net carbon dioxide increase and can help reduce your carbon footprint. On the other hand, fossil fuels, when burned, release carbon dioxide which otherwise would stay trapped in the earth. The burning of fossil fuels causes a net increase in carbon dioxide, which is believed to be responsible for the heat-trapping greenhouse effect. When heating with wood rather than fossil fuels, you actually achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, harvesting firewood has a pruning effect on forests, which allows new growth to flourish. The wood you burn likely comes from your local area — it’s not imported and not subject to price increases due to events outside your control, as is the case with oil.
