Firewood Facts

Why Burn Wood?

One of the oldest fuels known to mankind is again becoming increasingly popular, and when you look at the facts, it’s hardly surprising:

Greenhouse gases (one of the main causes of global warming):

Trees absorb Carbon dioxide whilst growing. Even when tree planting, harvesting, processing and transport are taken into account emissions of carbon dioxide from burning wood are still some 90% less than from gas, oil and coal (wood produces some 25gms of CO2 per kWh when burnt compared with 200-300 gms from fossil fuels).

Pollutants

Unlike fossil fuels burning wood produces no sulphur (the main cause of the “London Smog”)

Is there enough to go round?

Lincolnshire has about 17,557 hectares of woodland; every year the amount of wood in them increases by some 90,000 cubic metres (1m3  = approximately 1 tonne when felled); currently we are harvesting nowhere near this amount

Is it economic?

One tonne of wood at 22% moisture content, ie ready for burning, will produce about the same heat as 400 litres of oil; so, if you are paying 50p/litre for oil, your heating bill would be the same if you paid £200/tonne for wood (when comparing heating appliances of similar efficiency)

How do you know if your wood has been harvested sustainably and legally?

Woodlands in the U.K. are managed in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard, which is linked to internationally agreed protocols for sustainable forestry. Forestry Commission woodland officers help to ensure that this guidance is followed, and oversee the issuing of felling licences required to harvest woodland produce

Anything else?

Burning woodfuel supports active woodland management improving wildlife habitats, and supporting local businesses and jobs

Do yourself a favour

FEEL GOOD, BURN WOOD!