One major disadvantage of burning wood
is that it produces great amounts of air pollu-
tion. Wood does not burn as cleanly or effi-
ciently as other energy sources. The fact that it
is burned by individual homeowners and not
burned at a central location the way coal is
burned at a power plant means it is less subject
to environmental regulation. It is also less
subject to pollution control devices.
Woodstoves require periodic cleaning and
disposal of ashes and are regarded as a more
dangerous method of heating than other
methods. Many residential fires occur each
year as the result of woodstoves and fireplaces.
Creosote is a tarlike substance that can build
up on the walls of a chimney when wood is
burned. Wood-burning stoves are particularly
susceptible to creosote buildup. See Figure 5-6.
On the positive side, wood is a renewable
energy source that can be harvested regularly,
if properly managed.
Wood can also be converted to another
hydrocarbon fuel. It can be changed into a
liquid and used to fuel vehicles. One type of wood-based fuel that is being
used is methanol fuel, which is further explained later in this chapter. If
wood were to be used as a large-scale energy source, it is possible that the
competition between using wood as an energy source and as a construc-
tion medium could increase. Large forests would need to be planted and
maintained in order to have enough wood for all the uses.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a liquid hydrocarbon that may be used as fuel. It is made
from different crops, such as corn, sugar beets, and sugar cane. It can
be used to power internal combustion engines, including those in
Creosote: A tarlike
substance that can
build up on the
walls of a chimney
when wood is
burned.
Renewable and Inexhaustible Energy Sources
Figure 5-5. Modern wood-burning stoves have
an efficient design that provides a pleasant,
comfortable heating source. In certain situa-
tions, wood can be a less expensive heating
source than other fuels.
Figure 5-6. Since flammable creosote builds up
in the chimneys of wood-burning stoves and fire-
places, periodic inspection and cleaning are
important. Chimney sweeps do this work. The
history of the chimney sweep traces back
hundreds of years. This instructor at the Chimney
Safety Institute of America (CSIA) annual
Chimney Sweep School is explaining proper fire-
place cleaning procedures. (CSIA)
101