Wood: natural fuel

Wood is one of the most precious materials offered by nature, it is a source of clean energy, really renewable and in perfect balance with nature. The rediscovery of wood as a natural fuel is linked to the growing attention to environmental protection.

Heating using wood means freeing up clean energy. Wood burns without producing sulfur and above all are considered to have zero impact in terms of CO2. In fact, during the combustion, the energy stored during the process is released photosynthesis. In addition, the wood, if burned correctly, generates the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbed by the plant during its growth, thus respecting the cycle of nature.

It is an eco-friendly, economical, renewable and locally available source of energy.

 

EN 14961-5: European standard

The main qualitative characteristics of wood for energy use, defined on the basis of the European standard EN 14961-5, are: the qualitative class, size, water content and ash.

The norm EN 14961-5 introduces 3 quality classes:

• Class A1, which derives directly from the trunks cut to standard measures of length (20-25-33-50-100 cm) and diameter ˂ 15 cm, characterized by a water content of M <25%, (pieces broken/round> 90 %.
• Class A2, which derives directly from the trunks cut to standard measures of length (20-25-33-50-100 cm) and diameter ˂ 15 cm, characterized by a water content of M <25%, (pieces broken/round> 50 %.
• Class B, which derives directly from the trunks cut to standard measures of length (20-25-33-50-100 cm) and diameter > 15 cm, characterized by a water content of M <35%.

Wood quality:

For domestic use it is important to use well dried wood. The firewood reaches its maximum calorific value after at least three years of drying in a sheltered place.

Some advices:

• Split the logs starting from 20 cm in diameter
• Stack the pieces of wood in a ventilated place, preferably sunny and sheltered from the rain
• If possible, leave enough space between the stacks of logs so that air can circulate and absorb moisture
• Stack the wooden logs on raised supports so that the air can circulate
• Do not store fresh wood in the cellar, proper drying requires air and sun. Dry wood can be stored in ventilated cellars.
• Whenever possible, it is advisable to store the daily consumption of wood in the boiler room to obtain its preheating.

 

Thermal budget

• 1 m³ methane ≈ 2,5 Kg wood
• 1 Kg heating oil ≈ 3 Kg wood
• 1 Kg LPG ≈ 3 Kg wood