Building Science Projects

Wood Storage Best Practices

Burning wet wood contributes to harmful PM2.5 pollution, a problem that has plagued the Fairbanks airshed over the past few winters. Burning dry wood produces fewer emissions and more heat energy, a benefit to both homeowners and all borough residents.

CCHRC completed a study on multiple wood storage methods to see how long it takes to fully cure firewood (to a moisture content of 20% or less). The study confirmed that cutting, splitting, stacking, and covering wood for a single summer will result in dry wood by winter-time. When split and stored over the summer, firewood took only 6 weeks to three months to cure.

Wood that is left unsplit, uncovered, and lying on the ground results in wet wood that may rot. Burning wet wood produces excessive smoke and PM2.5-sized particles, which disperse into the surrounding air, and then into the lungs and bloodstream, causing or exacerbating health problems, from asthma to heart conditions.

Resources

TitleTypeResource Link
Curing Firewood in Interior AlaskaSnapshots

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