The Environmental Benefits of Wood-Burning Masonry Heaters

Wood heat gets a mixed reputation, and a lot of that comes from smouldering, inefficient stoves and open fireplaces. A masonry heater is a different animal — and an unusually green one.

Because it burns a hot, fast, complete fire, a masonry heater produces very little smoke and very little unburned particulate. More of the wood’s energy becomes heat and less becomes pollution. Over 90% efficiency means you burn far less wood for the same warmth.

Wood is also a renewable, often local fuel. Burned cleanly and efficiently in a masonry heater, it is close to carbon-neutral over its cycle, and it keeps heating dollars in the local economy rather than sending them to a far-away utility.