Firewood BTU Chart

  Species BTU’s per cord Shagbark Hickory 24,600 Black Locust 24,600 Ironwood (Hardback) 24,100 Apple 23,877 Rock Elm 23,488 White Oak 22,700 Beech 21,800 Yellow Birch 21,300 Sugar Maple 21,300 Red Oak 21,300 White Ash 20,000 Black Walnut 19,500 White Birch...

Energy Efficient Home Ventilation Issues

In the mid-1970’s new houses were constructed and were advertised as being energy efficient. This trend has grown to the present. Now the houses are so energy efficient that some people boast of $300 yearly fuel bills. Building an energy efficient home really meant...

Prevent Dryer Vent Fires

  Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked. Clean...

How to Prevent Chimney Fires: Summer Cleaning

Summer is well underway with the temperature and the humidity both in the 90s. Why would anyone want to think about woodstove and fireplace chimneys? “Safety,” says John Kirby, Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist at Virginia State University. “When you burn wood...