Challenges for Wood Energy Incentive Programs

December 18, 2014

Jonathan Kays Nat. Res. Extension Specialist

University of Maryland Extension

Why is the use of wood & pellet stoves increasing? What are the environmental issues? Key educational issues?

Considerations for Wood Stove Incentive Programs:

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

Both systems can displace equal amounts of carbon from fossil fuel: 3 tons.

The Difference: Most families can afford a wood/pellet stove!

Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $2,000 Wood/Pellet Stove =

Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $20,000 Solar PV

Environmentally

Goal to Incentivize Low Emission Stoves

…to this!

Go From this…

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10

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0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

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Pellet Boilerw/Storage

MasonryHeater

EPA WoodBoiler

TraditionalBoiler

Pellet Stove EPA CertifiedWood Stove

Old WoodStove

% in Use

Emissions Average(grams per hour)

Problem - Most Wood Heating Equipment is Outdated and Polluting

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

EPA Wood Burner Certification Started in 1988

Whether you buy wood or cut it yourself, there are large efficiency savings and health savings from reduced smoke.

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

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 $2,000 - $3,500

*Chimney to outside wall $300-$400 for pipe - $300 labor

Cost of a Wood/Pellet Stove

Wood & pellet stove require an upfront investment – but can have 3-5 year payback

Fuel calculator - www.eia.gov/neic/experts/heatcalc.xls

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 $0.12kwh 100% $35.13 $2810

Most wood from tree service companies.

Other from forest harvests. No meaningful designation for

sustainable for firewood

Sustainable Produced Firewood? Misguided Question

Wood energy can reduce electricity consumption Wood is a local fuel (energy security) Thermal biomass strengthens the local economy Each link in the wood supply chain retains and creates local

green jobs

Wood & Pellet Production Keeps Dollars in Local Economies

Maine study – for every $1 spent on fuel oil for heating, only $0.15 remains in the local economy. Not so with

woody biomass.

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

Major Educational Challenge to Consider for Incentive Programs

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.

Seasoning Firewood

Freshly cut oak

I year later.

Firewood Study Effect of splitting on drying time

Hickory trees - After one year split samples were at 20% moisture, unsplit rounds were still 30-35% moisture

Cut & Split Cut – Not Split

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 •

Partners in Incentive Program

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)

Wood Publication Series www.extension.umd.edu/woodland

Jonathan Kays Natural Resources Extension Specialist

University of MD Extension (301) 432-2767 x323

www.extension.umd.edu/woodland jkays@umd.edu