Why Dry Firewood?

Most people who live with woodfires know that their firewood needs to be dry. But it is more than that - I was shocked when I calculated how much heat is lost boiling off the sap, even from a normal seasoned ready-to-burn log. The physics of latent heat is almost magical - and knowing this opens up a new world of understanding for those of us who live with wood heating. Dry logs burn hotter and cleaner, this is becoming more important as attention on emissions grows - especially of smoke and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wood and coal, open fires and stoves. This is not just important in smoke controlled areas - it is for all of us. Wood is a true renewable, one we should be proud to use - as long as it is harvested sustainably and burned efficiently. This wonderful and ancient heating fuel does not release fossilised carbon, nor create radio-active waste!