As winter approaches, many people will be heading to the woods to cut a supply of wood for their wood heaters. A gasoline powered chain saw is a real cutting machine. It will do a great deal of work when used properly and a great deal of damage when used improperly. Please encourage all chain saw operators to learn and apply good safety rules. This begins with carefully reading the operators' manual for your particular saw.
Heating homes with wood is not as simple as some heater salesmen make it sound. During heating season, you become a slave to the wood burner handling the manual operations - loading, firing and removing ashes. It is also helpful if you are somewhat of a chimney sweep and know how to inspect, clean and repair chimneys and flues.
People who have persistent sinus problems may want to stay away from heating with wood. Any type of heating system which causes continuous low humidity can cause these type of people to have stuffy noses. Wood heat dries out the air and in some cases creates serious air pollution problems. I have actually been in homes where the air was filled with smoke because the damper was set improperly or may have been left closed while wood was being added to the fire.
Homes with wood heaters of any type should have at least one smoke detector near the sleeping area. Even if the wood burner is properly installed and operated carefully, plenty can go wrong. Wood heating systems are more dangerous than any other heating system. Consider this responsibility and potential dangers before investing. If you do install a wood stove, do it properly and reduce the danger. Improper and unsafe installation is a major cause of fires. Safety standards must be followed to reduce fire loss.
