Wood Storage Conditions Survey
It is thought that burning improperly cured firewood for residential space heating is a significant contributing factor to PM2.5 in the Fairbanks airshed. Because burning properly cured wood improves heat output and reduces the release of particulate air pollutants, it is important to understand current practices of firewood curing and storage in Fairbanks. To this end, CCHRC obtained samples from the wood supplies of fifty homes, characterized the homeowner’s storage methods and drafted a summary report of findings for air quality researchers.
Thermal storage has the ability to make heating systems more flexible and affordable, and can enable broader application of renewable energy systems. This assessment will explore how thermal storage is currently used in cold climate regions—in both new construction and existing homes—and identify areas that could benefit from further research.