Is it OK to burn storm-fall or dead trees from my own property?
In Clyde, the 1960s-80s ranch homes here mostly came with dated fireplaces that are ready for an insert — and that's the key to burning your own storm-fall well. Feed a tired old open firebox and most of the heat is lost; feed a sealed wood insert and the same free wood actually warms the house.
Dated firebox, ready for an upgrade
A lot of Clyde's ranch-era fireplaces are past their prime and leak heat straight up the flue, which is a poor use of the wood you cut yourself. An EPA wood insert with a correctly sized liner drops into the existing masonry and turns it into an efficient heater — inserts commonly run 70 percent efficient or better, where an open box can actually run a net heat loss. It's a clean fit for these homes, and Haywood County permits the insert with our crew meeting the inspector, so the whole job stays with one licensed company.
River humidity, careful drying
Clyde shares the Pigeon valley's cold-air drainage and river dampness, and that moisture rusts dampers and slows seasoning. Split your downed wood and get it up off the wet ground with the top covered and the sides open. At this elevation and in this damp air, give green oak the full six to twelve months and confirm under 20 percent with a moisture meter before you count on it for heat.
Keep it clean
Burn only natural, untreated wood — never painted, stained, or treated lumber. Keep pine for kindling rather than steady heat. And keep up the annual sweep, especially with river humidity already working on the flue and a full season of home-cut wood going through. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Clyde
We install and service fireplaces throughout Clyde and the rest of Haywood County — just 25 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.