Wood Burning Season has Arrived

The Fall months are traditionally a very busy time of year for everybody and their preparations for the quickly approaching winter months. Activities range from putting away the garden equipment, touching up window caulking, cleaning leaves from the eaves troughs and bringing out the snow removal equipment.

Thoughts can quickly turn to the colder evenings and time change, but also to the warm, crackling fire in the woodstove or fireplace.

While the flick of a switch to a natural gas-fired fireplace may be enticing to some, the age-old art of burning a big piece of seasoned cherry wood or silver and white birch log still lives on with many people. The smell of burning wood on a frosty, cold evening and the snap, crackling of dry hardwood in the fireplace is a very enjoyable, long lasting impression.

Somewhat more efficient than open face fireplaces, woodstoves are a very attractive alternative to oil or gas heating. Whatever your preference, precautions must be realized and strictly adhered to, so accidents don’t happen.

If you are considering a change in heating sources to include wood burning/heating, Chief of Fire Prevention and Public Education Harry Olivieri offers these tips for your consideration.

1. Before purchasing the appliance, check with your Insurance Agent for any potential requirements they may have regarding fire insurance coverage.
2. Check Municipal Bylaws for necessary Building Permits, Inspections and Fees. The Ontario Building Code also requires carbon monoxide detectors with the installation of any solid fuel burning appliances.
3. Shop around and make inquiries from competent, qualified retailers. Inquire if they are WETT Certified (Wood Energy Technical Training).
4. Bigger is not always better. Buy the appliance most suited for the area it is expected to heat.
5. Ensure all manufacturers’ instructions are followed. The appliance is built to certain criteria so do not deviate from these specifications.
6. If the decision is to buy, choose a reputable installer and one who is WETT Certified. Ask your Insurance Company if they have a list of references for you to consider.
7. When the time has come and the installation completed and the inspections have passed, sit back, relax and enjoy the warmth of the crackling fire.

As a final step though…..ensure your home is outfitted with working smoke alarms on each floor.

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