Learn Before You Burn

Want to chop less wood and/or spend less money buying firewood this winter? You can reduce the amount of wood you burn by learning how to burn more efficiently. The EPA's Burnwise Program has a lot of great information about this. Spend some time checking out their website, and see if you can learn how to build a better fire.

Here are a few tips:

1. Use only seasoned, dry wood (make sure you keep your wood pile off the ground and cover it up to keep it dry).
2. Use kindling to start your fires, never use trash or paper.
   
3. Remove ash often.
4. Burn hot fires.
5. Check your chimney to make sure there is not too much smoke coming out. If there is a lot of smoke, you may need to have a hotter fire and check to make sure your wood is dry.
   

Here is a great video summarizing important burning tips from the EPA.

Stay warm!