Features

AGH Webinar: State Clean Heat Standards and Pellet/Chip Heating

Nov. 9, from 11-12:30 PM (EST) | A Clean Heat Standard requires heat providers to deliver an increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers. Our speakers will discuss how they work, how wood, pellet and chip heating systems may best fit in, and unique equity challenges CHS pose for lower income households. Register here.

How to make the EPA stove database more useful

AGH recently sent a memo to EPA focused on how to make the database more consumer facing, while also retaining information and data that is valuable to states, air quality agencies, industry etc.

Maryland stove rebate aimed at low- and middle-income households may expire

With little warning or stakeholder engagement, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) said it planned to sunset a stove rebate program that was established more than 10 years ago to help rural, low- and-middle-income households who have the highest heat burden. Meanwhile, solar rebates flow freely to mostly upper income households with no upper income limit.

Industry pushes back on effectiveness of stove change-outs

HPBA says "well-designed changeout programs work. Most of the hearth industry’s retail, service and installation professionals in New England are small family businesses. They have the same goal as regulators: cleaner air."

Firewood Banks

Firewood bank funding still left, but not for long

We have received applications from 38 firewood banks for this funding cycle and have enough funds for about 12 more. To date, Six are start-up banks, 20 are new banks and 12 are renewal grants. Get your applications in soon!

DownEast Wood Bank offers lifeline for people facing heating crises

The wood being split and piled at a recent work day at the wood bank’s Surry site will be for the winter of 2024-25, as it already has approximately 40 cords of seasoned wood stacked for this coming winter.

Wood Bank program in Peterborough, NH

The River Center, a community resource agency maintains the Wood Bank for residents who need extra help heating their homes. With a tapestry of staff, volunteers and a local church, they keep the shed stocked and their constituents warm.

Firewood banks- need Burn Wise materials?

If your firewood bank would like Burn Wise materials, please email darian@forgreenheat.org. EPA has developed excellent materials to help people learn about burning wood the right way. Some material is available in Spanish.

Webinar recording: Starting a Firewood Bank?

Watch the recording from the October 5th webinar about starting a firewood bank. The webinar covers the basics of a firewood bank operation and how to apply for grant funding.

AGH welcomes new Research Fellow

Lilith Guzman is a recent graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz where she majored in Environmental Studies and Environmental Justice. Lilith’s fellowship at AGH focuses on energy equity issues including those her immigrant family has grappled with.

Legal

Will a pellet stove increase homeowners insurance

"While some insurance providers may view pellet stoves as a potential fire hazard due to the presence of combustible fuels, others recognize their safety features and efficiency. Therefore, the impact of a pellet stove on homeowners’ insurance can vary from one provider to another."

Wood Heating

EIA: 1.77 Million US households to heat primarily with wood this winter

"The number of U.S. households that use wood as a primary heating fuel is expected to fall by 1 percent this winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook 2023-24." In the Northeast, it's expected that the number of households that use wood as a primary heating fuel will fall by 6% while the number of households in the West are expected to increase by 2%.

Pellets

2020 EIA data - Wood types used in U.S. Homes

One million homes use pellets in the U.S. according to 2020 EIA data. Ten million homes use wood logs. The annual household income range that contained the most wood users were those making between $60,000 and $99,000.

How to pick a pellet stove

"Choosing a pellet stove can be overwhelming, and using one regularly isn’t exactly effortless. We can help you learn more about the capabilities of a pellet stove and whether it’s a good fit for your lifestyle. And if it is, we have some suggestions on how to go about picking the right one for your home.

ALL Power Labs CharPallet 25 (CP25)

Highlights on the new technology includes excellent carbon and gas outputs, smart technology, and modular design. They are planning for pre-sales of the CharPallet to support limited production release in 2024 with target base price of $30K.

Chimney Sweeps

What to know about chimney cleaning costs: a complete guide

The average chimney cleaning cost is $220. Chimney cleaning costs range from $105 to $330. Chimney cleaning costs vary by the type of fireplace or stove and by the type of fuel burned in the device. 

Consumer Advice

5 reasons why backyard fire pits are overrated, according to a Home and Garden editor

"Suffice it to say, I’ve stopped using my wood-burning fire pit. For me, the negatives outweigh the positives, and retiring it for good is just one small thing I can do to help protect my community and the broader planet."

California family fined for not using enough energy

Ferrell Gas charged a customer who heats with wood $200 -- a no-usage fee -- for not using enough propane. The gas company eventually waived the fee once pressed. If you have been charged a "no-usage fee" while simply conserving propane, ask your company to waive the fee, too.

Fire Prevention Week: October 8-14

Heating can be attributed to the cause of 18% of house fires. This is often due to the misuse of space heaters. Check out our graphic on the right for some "Do's & Don'ts for your wood

stove."

AARP magazine breezes over key health issues

For a magazine aimed at the elderly, AARP should not skimp on potential health issues - and the differences between -fireplaces and wood stoves.

Domestic biomass to Electricity

McNeil Generating Station

For those interested in lower-efficiency uses of biomass, Burlington Vermont's power station has a a slew of recorded webinars, 2023 reports, Myth vs Fact section and Q & A.

The good and bad uses of biomass for California

"The new paper finds that there are 34 pathways that either help reduce greenhouse gases or specific air pollutants, and 14 that achieve reductions in both categories. Conversely, 13 pathways—including wildfires, the open burning of biomass and other uses—increase harmful emissions."

Wildfires and Firewood

Federal Wildfire Defense funding available

Local and state governments, homeowner associations, non-profits organizations, and Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for CWDG grants for up to $250,000 in funding to develop or update Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).

Should we worry about woodsmoke at home?

"For most people, there’s little to fret about when it comes to at-home woodsmoke, but there are circumstances that can create real health concerns, particularly for those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other underlying conditions."

History

Tiled stoves, winter warmth

A short historical look at ceramic glazed tile stoves. "Stoves warm rooms more efficiently and cleanly than open fires. Heat doesn’t escape up the chimney, and it’s safer and easier to keep them going overnight"

Misleading Ad of the Month

Solax Cast Stoves is a distributor of uncertified Turkish wood stoves with a warehouse in Hackensack New Jersey, close to a port where container ships unload. These Turkish wood stoves can be easily found on the internet and are often shipped directly from Turkey. This company's business plan may include a calculated risk on how quickly the EPA will do anything, allowing them to operate for enough time to earn back their investment and make some profit.

2023 Local Energy Solutions Conference

Manchester, New Hampshire, November 2, 2023

This Conference is New Hampshire's premier energy event for local energy champions, policymakers, municipal officials, state agencies, and industry representatives.

2023 New England Home Performance Conference & Trade Show

Springfield, Massachusetts, November 7-8, 2023

This two-day conference will deliver the latest region-specific updates and information to home performance and weatherization professionals living and working in New England.

European Bioenergy Future 2023

Schaerbeek, Belgium, November 28-30, 2023

One track at this event will bring together key stakeholders and market actors to discuss the immediate, but also the long-term perspectives, for the premium pellet heat market.

HBPExpo

Nashville, Tennessee, February 13-15, 2024

HPBExpo offers interactive experiences, networking events and forums for conversations with peers and connections with industry colleagues.

World Sustainable Energy Days 2024

Wels, Austria, March 5-8, 2024

The event shows how to achieve the high policy ambitions of the upcoming EU legislation and how to strengthen the clean energy markets.

Young Energy Researchers 2024

Wels, Austria, March 5, 2024

A conference on the work and achievements of young researchers in the fields of energy efficiency and biomass.

2024 European Pellet Conference

Wels, Austria, March 6, 2024

The largest annual pellet event worldwide focuses on the role pellets in the clean energy transition and the circular economy.

2024 National Chimney Sweep Guild Convention & Trade Show

Orlando, Florida, March 20-23, 2024

Largest gathering of chimney sweeps in the United States. The event offers a variety of technical & business classes with continuing education units and a trade show.

2024 National Home Performance Conference

Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 8-11, 2024

This conference brings together contractors, weatherization professionals, trainers, program administrators and energy auditors working on residential energy efficiency.

Alliance for Green Heat | (202) 365-4765 | contact@forgreenheat.org | | www.forgreenheat.org