Up in Smoke

When it comes to alternative sources of energy, people are finding new ways to heat their houses

Story and photos by Shanelle Loffler

It's cold, snowing and very windy.  The streets are lined with snowed-in cars and people wearing layers of clothing.  Fuel prices are skyrocketing and the economy is suffering.  People are leaning to alternative sources of energy like wood boilers, but is this the right way to go?

According to the Energy Information Administration, fuel prices are at $383.50 per gallon in the United States and are rising every day. This winter will cost the average American roughly $1000 to heat their house.  According to the Department of Labor, employment rates in small upstate towns, like many around this area, aren't very high and paying for this bill is going to become difficult. Many people are switching to outdoor wood boilers.

"People are drawn to them because they seem more efficient."

"Although some people have switched, several communities have set bans on the wood boilers," Glenn Cutter, Planning Department of Clinton County says. Some local towns that have set bans or regulations are Peru, Plattsburgh, Chazy, and Mooers.  Other towns are still debating the issue. 

Regulations are being put on boilers because of the environmental factors that result from them. "Having one boiler next to your house is worse than living next to a smoke stack," John Sheehan, Director of Communication at the Adirondack Council, says. 

"In Clinton County, there is a complete ban," Don Lee, Code Zoning officer for Plattsburgh, says. "Until there is a local law adopted to get chimney regulations set for certain heights, the bans and regulations will stay in effect."

"People are drawn to them because they seem more efficient when in reality they're not.  People aren't just using them for wood; they are putting garbage into them, which in the long run is polluting the air and water, and emitting very serious cancer causing agents," Sheehan says.

One of the main problems with the wood boilers is the incomplete combustion that occurs.  "With a wood boiler, you are loosing the efficiency of it because the wood doesn't combust thoroughly due to the garbage and whatever else people are putting into these to burn," Sheehan says.

According to the Wood Heat Organization, combustion occurs to help the burning of the wood.  The combustion elements in the wood stoves help limit the amount of smoke emission.

"I'm glad local governments are doing something about the issue instead of it turning into a bigger problem"

"The bans are set in place because when the smoke gets away from the house, it is drifting at eye level, which is causing respiratory problems," Lee says. 

"I'm glad local governments are doing something about the issue instead of it turning into a bigger problem," Sheehan says.

Sheehan suggest switching to an in-home wood furnace that has a door which will be airlock and allow combustion to fully occur.  He also suggests an airtight stove.  "The in-home furnaces are cheaper then outdoor wood boilers and have a cleaner burn and require less maintenance year round." 

Do you own an airtight woodstove?