Burn Wise - What You Can Do
Learn before you burn. Burn the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance.
1. Save money and time. Burn only dry, seasoned wood and maintain a hot fire.
- 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.