BRATTLEBORO -- Local landlord Jason Cooper wanted to cut down on the amount of fossil fuel he was using to heat his Brattleboro apartments and came up with a creative, money-saving solution.

With the cooperation of the town, he ran underground hot water pipes to five residential buildings he owns on Elliot Street and connected them to a wood pellet boiler.

He said the process went fairly smoothly, and he expects to earn back the cost of his $50,000 investment within five years.

Those interested in learning about how they can heat with biomass will have an opportunity to meet Cooper, ask him questions about his experience using wood pellets and tour his "mini-biomass district energy system" at the upcoming wood heat workshop and vendor fair May 14, hosted by Brattleboro Climate Protection, Brattleboro Thermal Utility, the Biomass Energy Resource Center and Brattleboro Savings & Loan.

Workshop attendees will learn the advantages of installing a wood-burning furnace, boiler or pellet stove in their home, business or rental property. Speakers will explain the different types of systems that are available and address the issues of fuel supply and financial incentives.

"I always like the questions, and I like to share what I've learned because this is all trial and error -- I made it up as I went along," said Cooper. "At this point it works well, so I like sharing the experience."

Local vendors of wood-heating products and services will also be on hand to answer questions about heating with wood.

Cooper went through a gradual process of switching his apartments from oil to wood pellet boilers about five years ago.

"I started with a smaller boiler that I put in my house; I wanted to be right there (to oversee it) before I committed anyone else to putting up with it," he said. "I was very impressed and very quickly put one in my office building for a year, then the next year I tied in the building next to it, then the next year tied in the one next to that one."

He said he was surprised at how willing Brattleboro Public Works was to work with him on the project.

"I asked to put hot water lines under the street, and they said no problem as long as I submit a plan ... once I got the lines under the street I tied in 11 units," he said.

Cooper's pellet boiler now provides heat for 20 units in five buildings.

"I believe anything we can do to cut down energy costs, especially fossil fuel use, is a good thing," Cooper said. "The increase in (fossil fuel) prices is very destabilizing not only to our economy but to our country, and we need to do everything we can."

The workshop will take place May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marlboro College Graduate Center at 28 Vernon St. Lunch will be served.

It comes as no surprise that 9 out of 10 American homes burned wood for heat a little more than a century ago. Likewise, it's also probably not news that the number dwindled to less than 1 percent by the 1970s. After all, who wants to chop and stack cordwood when you can set the thermostat to be comfortable? Still, there is something irresistible about the warmth of a crackling fire. That appeal probably explains why fireplaces and wood-burning heating stoves haven't disappeared in many communities, and that upgrades such as energy efficient inserts and stoves are common. More

Shop Wood Stoves and Fireplaces Here

Conscientious Oregonians have been storing up firewood for the inevitable cool days of winter, and the experienced wood-gatherers know that dry, seasoned firewood burns most efficiently, provides the most heat and smokes the least.

In fact, unseasoned wood is not suitable for open fireplaces, according to Steve Bowers, a forester with the Douglas County office of the Oregon State University Extension Service.

Ideally, wood should be purchased or gathered at least a year in advance of burning. more.....

Wood stoves are becoming increasingly popular in the USA, with more than 10 million homes using them regularly, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Anyone investing in a new wood stove needs to take many factors into consideration before parting with their money. This is particularly true for seniors who need to make sure that the stove they choose is not only easy to use, but safe and practical as well. Following a few simple tips will make it a lot easier to find the most senior-suitable wood stove on the market.

Size does matter

One of the most important considerations when choosing a wood stove is its size. When choosing a wood stove for a senior it is important to determine what exactly it will be used for. Will its primary purpose be to heat the home, prepare food on, or to create ambiance? If the senior is living in a relatively small home, there is no need for an over-sized oven. In fact, installing a wood stove that is too big will waste fuel, pollute the air, and even result in a severe fire hazard thanks to a creosote build-up. It is always best to pick the smallest stove that can heat the required space efficiently as this will allow you to burn a clean, hot fire without overheating your living area and posing a threat to your health and well-being .

There is no need to break the bank

While there are undoubtedly woodstoves on the market that carry a very hefty price tag, there are also plenty of more affordable and equally as effective stoves available. Many seniors are already faced with several budgeting challenges and investing in an overpriced stove will just exacerbate the concern. Draw up a budget and stick to it. Do not be cajoled into spending extra money on fitting and features you do not need. A top-of-the-range ultra-modern wood stove may look nice but at the end of the day it will, more than likely, not warm your room or boil your water any better than a much more affordable model.

Don’t disregard aesthetics completely

Although a wood stove’s overall performance is of greater importance than its design, aesthetics should not be disregarded completely as they can be linked to distinct benefits for senior owners. Stoves typically either stand on legs or a pedestal. Some stoves even have adjustable legs which are ideal for wheelchair users. Wood stoves generally boast a single door, a double door, or a side door. A glass door allows you to keep an eye on your wood levels inside without causing a disruption to the combustion process. Stoves with flat tops are easier to cook on and pose less of a burn hazard than those with removable burners.

There are many benefits to owning a wood stove. As long as proper research is conducted before making a purchase, a senior can safely enjoy the wonderful warmth emitted by a cozy wood-burning stove.

With gas prices continuing to increase at a drastic rate, it can become expensive to heat your home during the cold winter months. An alternative solution available is to use Napoleon wood stoves . Modern wood stoves are energy efficient and include options for blowers to distribute heated air evenly throughout the room. Wood stoves can be used in just about any room of the house as long as you have a chimney. For areas with little clearance you can also look at zero clearance wood stoves.

Maintaining Napoleon Wood Stoves Gives You Years of Enjoyment

Maintaining Napoleon wood stoves is important for numerous years of enjoyment. You should clean the interior of the stove on a regular basis by removing wood ash and keeping it from building up. You will also want to inspect your chimney at least once a year and get it cleaned as needed. You will find Napoleon brand stoves, fireplaces and accessories for your home available here at Copperfield Chimney Supply.

By now everyone who heats with wood should have their wood bin full. The wood you burn this year should have been cut last year or in early spring at the latest. Seasoned wood is a must for optimum heat. If the wood still is green it takes more heat to get the water out and will heat your home less. Also the water in the wood makes for creosote build up in the chimney. Speaking of chimneys, by this time you also should have cleaned your chimney or had a professional do it. More