Renewable Energy Alternatives

This directory was developed from a January 2013 survey of firewood dealers that serve Maryland residents. No claims are made regarding the service or products provided. To avoid the spread of pests, decrease the environmental impact, and save money on delivery, it is best to buy firewood locally. We hope you will find the list below helpful as you look for a trustworthy dealer in your area. Firewood must be sold by the cord or by fraction of the cord as regulated by the Maryland Department of Weights and Measures. Beware of scammers – a true cord is 4’ x 4’ x 8’ when stacked.

Unless you’re an expert and have been trained in wood stove installation, it’s better to have your stove put in by a certified hearth professional. Attempting to do the job yourself, while it may seem cheaper, is full of safety risks. Needless to say, it’s not recommended. And, there is a chance that your insurance policy will not cover any fire related damage. This fact sheet will provide important considerations to follow.

Wood stoves are one of the appliances that generally should be purchased new. This fact sheet reviews why and why not to buy a used stove, and how and where to buy one. For example, if you’re going to use the stove more than twice a week during the winter, get a new one. You will end up paying less in fuel and getting more heat with less fuss and mess.

People chose to heat with wood for many different reasons. Your own personal priorities will help you decide what type of heater is best for you. Are you mainly looking to save money or decrease your fossil fuel consumption? Do you have a large or small space to heat? Do you value automation or want something hands-on? Do you live in an urban or rural area? These are all questions that will likely determine what type of wood,pellet stove, or boiler you should get.

Whether you buy or cut your own firewood, chances are that you still have plenty left to learn. Even people who have been heating with wood for decades often say “I wish I knew that years ago!” after reading tips like the ones contained here. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are sold substandard cord wood. This sheet will help you avoid getting a raw deal next time you buy firewood. And if you heat with pellets, there are new developments you should know that will impact the fuel you buy.

Anaerobic digestion is a process in which anaerobic bacteria break down or "digest" organic material in the absence of oxygen to produce "biogas" as a byproduct of their metabolism. The process occurs naturally in water-logged soils, deep water bodies, and in the digestive systems of termites and large animals (that includes you). In anaerobic digesters, naturally-occurring biological processes are exploited in an engineered system to treat and dispose of waste materials, stabilize end products, destroy pathogens, and generate biogas, a valuable product. Biogas produced in anaerobic digesters consists of methane (50%– 80%), carbon dioxide (20%–50%), and trace levels of other gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, water vapor, and hydrogen sulfide.