Vermonters can borrow a firewood moisture meter at 63 libraries to check whether wood is dry enough to burn, the Department of Environmental Conservation said.
The Oct. 14 announcement promotes wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. The department says dry wood burns more efficiently and produces less smoke than wet wood.
A moisture meter measures water content in a piece of wood. The borrowing program gives households a way to check their fuel before using it for heat.
Wood smoke contributes to fine-particle air pollution, particularly on cold, clear and calm winter nights, according to the department. Those tiny airborne particles can be inhaled into the lungs.
The department's program announcement links to participating libraries and instructions for testing wood. Residents should check with their branch about availability and lending rules; meters may already be checked out.