Citation

Henry G. Energy 1981; 6(1): 37-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0360-5442(81)90101-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nova Scotia could reduce its dependence on foreign imported oil by increasing the harvest of surplus hardwood volume and using the low quality wood as fuel for domestic heating. The current surplus of ca. 180,000 cords/year could be used to replace 15% of the home heating oil. Present value analysis shows that a wood-fired home heating system is less expensive, in most cases, than a comparable oil-fired system. An average home could save as much as $10,000 over 20 years by investing in wood heat. Increasing the hardwood harvest could generate at least $3.6 million/year of income and using wood heat will improve the province's balance of payments. The increased harvesting would also provide economic stimulus for more intensive forest management and thus increased yields, values of forest products, and employment in the rural economy.