How to Heat With Wood Chips
- 1). Measure the area you intend to heat to determine your heating needs. Choose what heat source(s) will be replaced by wood heat.
- 2). Estimate wood chip demand based on your needs. According to one estimate done by John Bartok Jr., faculty emeritus at the University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resources, you will need approximately 194 tons of wood chips per 10,000 gallons of fuel oil or 15,000 gallons of propane.
- 3). Locate a local wood chip retailer. Obtain wood chips from sawmills or local logging operations. Wood chips from a sawmill are generally more uniform in size and shape, while chips taken from logging operations will vary. It is often cheaper to buy in bulk, but large-scale storage will be required.
- 4). Obtain a wood-burning unit. In addition to being available directly from a manufacturer, wood-burning stoves can be purchased at home improvement stores or online. The catalytic combustor, present on newer EPA-certified wood stoves, enables more efficient energy output while emitting fewer pollutants than noncertified models. Retrofit kits designed to convert older stove models to more efficient units are available direct from the manufacturer. Kits are not available for all models.
- 5). Have the stove installed by a professional who is trained to maximize stove features. A professional can walk you through the features and basic operation of the stove. To find a professional near you, see Service Magic in Resources.
- 6). Read the literature concerning the basic operation and features of your wood stove. Understand how to load the chips into the hopper, how to operate the vents, how to burn the chips to maximize energy efficiency and how to keep the unit maintained, including ash disposal and periodic cleaning. Specific requirements vary by stove model.
Source...