The moisture content of fire logs must not exceed 20% of the wood mass, in line with the 2013 regulation on emissions from small and medium-sized combustion plants.
The use of unsuitable firewood in combustion appliances is easily solved by good preparation for the heating season. This starts in spring, when the last season ends. This is the best time to get new firewood, as wood cut in winter contains less water and the new heating season is at least half a year away. In spring, we have more time to find a reliable supplier of competitively priced firewood, and we can prepare a good storage area. Split logs should be stored in covered and ventilated stacks in a sunny position. A two-year drying period is recommended. The increased efficiency of dried firewood is significant in practice.
Burning wet wood increases harmful emissions from the combustion plant by up to 20 % and reduces the efficiency of the combustion plant by the same amount. The cost of burning increases, the load on the stove and chimney increases, the air quality in the vicinity of the appliance is markedly reduced by dust particles, and the user and his immediate surroundings are the first to be affected by unsuitable firewood.