In the News - October 2008
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Two heatings and understanding BTUs
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - As with other petroleum products, the projected cost of
home heating this winter has triggered interest in using firewood. An unusual
number of trees were downed during storms in 2008, creating an abundance of this
renewable heat source.
Grandpa's philosophy on firewood was to produce two heatings! The first came
each summer when he loaded up a half-dozen grandsons to cut, split and haul
firewood. His routine resulted in a constant supply of well-seasoned firewood.
This served to avoid chimney fires, which are caused by creosote buildup when
unseasoned wood is burned.
I remember the conversations from those trips in regards to the heat
potential of various types of wood. Hickory was always the hands-down winner,
followed by white oak. Grandpa conceded, "Bois d'arc (Osage orange) burns hot
enough to run Satan out of Purgatory, but no fool in his right mind would try to
split it!"
Red oak occurred lower on the list, but was appreciated by the smaller
grandsons since it was easier to split. This prompted Grandpa to comment on
their ability to do a fair share of the work.
Other wood species are easier to cut, split, load and haul because they are
much lighter. However, Grandpa advised that light wood simply flamed up like a
match, serving only to keep you busy putting wood in the stove with little heat
in the bargain.
Years later I found charts illustrating the BTU or heat value of various wood
types. They note that engineers have ranked the various species about like
Grandpa had taught us. I was not only pleased for Grandpa, but equally pleased
the engineer had gotten it right!
Pay attention to your firewood purchases and check out the: fireplace;
insert; wood heater; and flue system before lighting up. Do it soon because the
Farmer's Almanac predicts a harsh winter! Til' next week!
October
3, 2008
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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