Learn Before You Burn Wood - What You Can Do
Learn before you burn. Burn the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance.
- Season and dry wood outdoors for at least 6 months before burning it.
- Start fires with clean newspaper and dry kindling.
- Burn hot fires.
- Never burn garbage, plastic, or pressure treated wood, which can produce harmful chemicals when burned.
- Learn more about best burn practices.
2. Have a certified technician inspect and service your appliance annually.
- Have your chimney annually cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Nearly 7 percent of home fires are caused by creosote build up in the chimney.
- A properly installed and maintained wood-burning appliance burns more efficiently.
- If you smell smoke in your home, something is wrong. Shut down the appliance and call a certified chimney sweep to inspect the unit.
- Learn more about correct installation and maintenance.
3. Keep your home healthy by upgrading to an efficient, EPA-approved wood-burning appliance.
- Today's wood-burning appliances burn cleaner and produce less smoke inside and outside your home.
- Efficient wood-burning appliances burn less wood, saving time and money.
- Learn how to choose the best appliance for your needs.
Remember to check your local air quality forecast before you burn.