Pro-active means using only seasoned wood. This means that the wood has a moisture content of 20% or less, is dark in color with cracks on the ends. If there is bark, it should be loose and easily broken or pealed from the wood.

To get seasoned wood use the following tips:

• Always split your wood to help it dry.
• Make sure you cover your woodpile to protect it from moisture.
• Stack it loosely so the air can circulate around and try to make sure it is off the ground. Old pallets work well for a woodpile base.
• Remember it takes six to twelve months to get that wood to 20% moisture or less. Now is the time to get your winters supply.

Pro-active means maintaining your stove. Make sure you inspect your stove or fireplace to assure its safe and clean-burning capabilities. Things to check for include:

• Make sure the chimney cap is not plugged by debris.
• If your stove has a catalytic combustor and baffles check them and be prepared to change them out every couple of years depending on use.
• Check stovepipe angles for corrosion.
• Make sure the gaskets on airtight stoves are adequate. These are placed by the manufacture to control location and flow of air making them an efficiency issue.
• Check the seams in your stoves. If they leak all your hard work, of gathering wood, is being wasted by heat loss and reduced efficiency.
• Check for loose, broken or missing firebricks.
• Keep that stove clean and oh by the way make sure you clean the chimney. Rule is at least once a year and it is suggested you may want to increase that cleaning.

Pro-active means using only certified wood burning stoves.

• Hey, the Oregon Department of Energy has a tax credit available for homeowners who purchase efficient wood stoves. You may qualify for up to $300 in tax credits. www.oregon.gov/ENERGY . Check it out
• In addition, efficient stoves pay you back for all that hard work gathering wood. They burn less and more efficiently saving you time effort and fuel. After all time is money and it is yours.
• Look for the certification sticker on the back of your potential new stove. It should mention US EPA certified. There are two types of stove; catalytic and guess what non-catalytic. Both are certified and both work well. Visit with your dealer about the pros and cons of each.

Ok, so you have some wood for thought for your wood burning stove or fireplace. Remember being pro-active will assure the use of this method of heat long into the future simply because being pro-active will help reduce particulate matter in the air we breathe and that is a good thing. Less respiratory issues, asthma and even heart problems are the benefit of PRO-ACTIVE.

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