Challenges for Wood Energy Incentive
Programs
December 18, 2014
Jonathan Kays
Nat. Res. Extension Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
Considerations for
Wood Stove Incentive Programs:
Why is the use of wood & pellet stoves increasing?
What are the environmental issues?
Key educational issues?
Wood is Fastest Growing
Residential Heat Fuel
• 2.1% of families use
wood or pellets as
primary heat
• About 10% use it as
secondary heat
• In Maryland, wood
heat grew 33% from
2000 to 2010; today
1.2% use it as primary
heat.
Wood & Pellet Stoves Are Leaders in
Reducing Fossil Fuels in US
Space Heating consumes 1/3 of energy use in a home
Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $2,000 Wood/Pellet Stove
=
Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $20,000 Solar PV
 Both systems can displace equal amounts of carbon from fossil
fuel: 3 tons.
The Difference:
Most families can afford a wood/pellet stove!
Environmentally
Goal to Incentivize Low Emission Stoves
Go
From
this…
…to this!
Problem - Most Wood Heating Equipment
is Outdated and Polluting
60%
50%
40%
30%
70
% in Use
60
50
Emissions Average
(grams per hour)
40
30
20%
20
10%
0%
Pellet Boiler
w/Storage
Masonry
Heater
EPA Wood
Boiler
Traditional
Boiler
Pellet Stove EPA Certified
Wood Stove
Old Wood
Stove
10
0
EPA Wood Burner Certification
Started in 1988
 Emissions less than 7.5 g/hr.
 Washington State- stoves under 4.5 g/hr
 In 2015, EPA will likely mandate lower
emissions.
Lower emissions = higher efficiency =
savings for consumer
Effect of Wood Stove
Efficiency on Fuel Cost
Fireplace
10% efficient
$59 per million
Btu’s
Non EPA
Woodstove
40% efficient
$14.7 per million
Btu’s
EPA Wood Stove
70% efficient
$8.5 per million
Btu’s
 Whether you buy wood or cut it yourself, there are large
efficiency savings and health savings from reduced smoke.
Cost of a Wood/Pellet Stove
Item
Estimated Cost
Wood stove
$1,500-3,000
* With serviceable chimney
$300-$900 for labor and materials
(permit extra)
* Build a chimney
$2,000 for metal chimney
Pellet stove
*Chimney to outside wall
$2,000 - $3,500
$300-$400 for pipe - $300 labor
Wood & pellet stove require an
upfront investment – but can have 3-5 year payback
Fuel Cost for Heating Season
Based on prices- December 2014
Type of Fuel
Fuel Cost
per unit
Efficiency
(%)
Fuel Cost
$/mBtu
Fuel Cost
Heating Season
80 mBtu
Firewood stove
$200 cord
63%
$12.99
$1039
Natural Gas
furnace
$1.00 therm
82%
$12.22
$977
Pellet stove
$250 ton
75%
$20.20
$1616
Oil furnace
$3.00 gallon
80%
$29.29
$2343
Propane furnace $2.67 gallon
85%
$34.39
$2751
Electric heat
100%
$35.13
$2810
$0.12kwh
Fuel calculator - www.eia.gov/neic/experts/heatcalc.xls
Sustainable Produced Firewood?
Misguided Question
 Most wood from tree service
companies.
 Other from forest harvests.
 No meaningful designation for
sustainable for firewood
Wood & Pellet Production Keeps Dollars
in Local Economies
 Maine study – for every $1 spent on fuel oil for heating,
Wood
can reduce
electricity
consumption
only energy
$0.15 remains
in the local
economy.
Not so with
woodysecurity)
biomass.
 Wood is a local fuel (energy
 Thermal biomass strengthens the local economy
 Each link in the wood supply chain retains and creates local
green jobs
Major Educational Challenge to Consider
for Incentive Programs
What is seasoned wood?
Misunderstood by users, retailers,
and firewood suppliers. It has the
major impact on emissions.
• 20% moisture throughout
 How to purchase seasoned wood – quality
pellets
 Safety – Chimneys & proper installation
Seasoning Firewood
 Hardwood requires 6-9 months after
split and covered.
 20% moisture desired before burning
 Wetter wood provides fewer Btu’s and
burns poorly- high emission
 The more wood surface exposed to air,
the faster it dries. Roofs better than
tarps.
Freshly cut oak
I year later.
Firewood Study
Effect of splitting on drying time
Cut & Split
Cut – Not Split
Hickory trees - After one year split samples were at 20%
moisture, unsplit rounds were still 30-35% moisture
Partners in Incentive Program
 Maryland Energy Administration
• Energy.Maryland.gov
• State incentive program
• Link to educational resources
 University of Maryland Extension
• www.extension.umd.edu/woodland
• Education pubs, workshops, & webinars
• Woodland owner resources
 Alliance for Green Heat
• www.forgreenheat.org
• Policy education
• Improving the technology
•
Wood Publication Series
www.extension.umd.edu/woodland
Fact Sheet Series
 Heating With Wood (FS-926)
 Buying a Clean Burning Wood Stove (FS-939)
 Considerations for your Wood or Pellet Stove Installation (FS-940)
 The Wood Stove Checklist (FS-936)
 Buying and Storing Firewood & Pellets (FS-937)
 Buying a Second Hand Wood Stove (FS-938)
 Best Management Practices for Outdoor Wood Boilers (FS- XXX)
 Hearth Dealer Directory (2013-A)
 Directory of Maryland Firewood Dealers (#2013-A)
Jonathan Kays
Natural Resources Extension Specialist
University of MD Extension
(301) 432-2767 x323
www.extension.umd.edu/woodland
jkays@umd.edu