Free moisture meters for firewood available at area libraries

With the home heating season here, it is important to determine whether firewood is dry and ready to burn. Vermonters can check out a moisture meter for free from one of 63 public libraries. This is thanks to a statewide loan program from the departments of Libraries and Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Vermonters can use this small, hand-held device to confirm that firewood is dry (with 20% moisture or less) before burning. Dry, seasoned wood burns hotter and cleaner than wet wood, saving both money and energy while making less smoke. During the wintertime, residential wood smoke is a main contributor to fine particle pollution and is responsible for poor air quality days, especially on calm, clear, and cold winter nights.

Fine particle pollution consists of particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, also known as PM2.5. Fine particles are so small they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Fine particles are also the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in scenic areas.

For more information about the moisture meter loan program and a list of participating libraries go to https://dec.vermont.gov/ /air-quality/compliance/owb. This video demonstrates the proper use of a moisture meter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM2WGgRcnm0.