When you hear the phrase "natural renewable energy source", few people think immediately of wood. Yet wood is an inherently perfect fuel that has a demonstrably zero carbon footprint, because burning wood releases only the amount of carbon dioxide that the tree absorbed during its growth phase and that would have escaped into the air even during the natural decomposition process in the forest. The carbon dioxide released is then reabsorbed by other trees as part of sustainable forest management, creating a closed cycle.
In addition, if we follow a few simple steps during the burning process, we can radically reduce the amount of ash, dust and particulates that are produced whenever wood is burned and have an impact on air quality.
The correct humidity level is an absolutely essential rule in this respect. Wet firewood does not burn, it just smells, stinks and does not warm up. Emissions from such improper burning will then clog not only the stove, flue and chimney, but also the surrounding area. On the other hand, properly dried wood does not release dangerous emissions when burnt and has a high calorific value.
An equally important factor is the type of heating equipment or the entire system. Thanks to modern technologies and innovations, not only in the field of stove materials, newly installed domestic heating systems are significantly more efficient, both in terms of calorific value and reduced emissions. As a result, they require significantly less fuel to generate the same amount of heat, which translates positively into lower heating costs and lower emissions.
In order to produce as few harmful substances as possible, the stove and its other components, including the chimney, must also be regularly cleaned, inspected and maintained. The manufacturer's instructions or recommendations must be followed to ensure that combustion takes place as far as possible under optimum conditions and does not lead to increased emissions, but also, for example, to hidden and gradual damage to the stove.
How much does it cost to heat with wood
Heating with wood is basically the cheapest heating method. This statement is also true if the total annual heating costs include the purchase costs associated with, for example, the purchase of a new, modern stove or boiler. The lifespan of these devices can be counted in decades, thanks to which the initial investment in the purchase will not only pay off over time, but also become profitable.
The actual cost of purchasing wood for the heating season is mainly influenced by the current market price of this commodity and the ratio of softwood to hardwood that the householder purchases. It is possible to reduce the purchase price by logging on a dedicated plot.
One kilogram of wood contains approximately 4 kW of input energy, which is converted into 3 kW of power even with the lower efficiency of the 75 %. The average weight of one cube of dry wood weighs about 500 kg and the average price per cube is CZK 1,775 incl. VAT. This means that for CZK 1,775 you buy 2,000 kW (CZK 0.89/kW) and at the efficiency of the 75 % appliance (which is the case with almost all modern appliances today) you get CZK 1,500 of power. Then 1 kW of power will cost you CZK 1.18 including 21 % VAT.
Creating a clear idea or estimate of the cost of heating a home with wood can easily turn into a colourful mosaic of apparent details, which, however, form a very important whole. The size of the home, the quality of the insulation and the desired temperature in each room all play a role in the annual cost of wood heating.
Logically, the costs will be different for the owner of a small and well-insulated house who heats all rooms to around 20 °C compared to the owner of a large old house who wants to keep the whole house at a temperature of more than 25 °C with an old and inefficient stove.
However, if we approach the whole topic of wood heating responsibly and with enough information, we can make firewood not only an environmentally friendly but also an extremely economical way of heating.
