Vermont Libraries Now Loan Firewood Moisture Meters
Residents can borrow meters for free to ensure firewood is dry enough for clean and efficient home heating this winter.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Landscaping
Live Poll
Would you use a borrowed library moisture meter to ensure your firewood burns cleaner and hotter?
Vermont residents can now borrow firewood moisture meters from 63 local public libraries to ensure their heating fuel is dry enough for efficient use. Testing wood ensures it meets the 20% moisture threshold recommended to reduce harmful indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Why it matters
Using firewood with 20% moisture or less ensures wood burns hotter and cleaner, preventing excess smoke production in your home and neighborhood. Proper burning practices are essential to protecting local air quality during the winter months.
A total of 63 public libraries now participate in this state-managed loan program. Residents must confirm their firewood moisture is 20% or less to improve burning efficiency and decrease fine particle pollution.
The players
Vermont Department of Libraries
The state agency responsible for overseeing public library services and resources.
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
The state authority managing programs to protect air quality and public health.
The details
Users check out a handheld device from their local library to test the moisture content of their wood supply. By inserting the prongs into a piece of split wood, the meter displays whether the log meets the 20% moisture safety threshold. This simple test helps homeowners avoid burning wet wood, which is a primary contributor to fine particle pollution during the winter.
Timeline
Wintertime: Period when residential wood smoke impacts air quality.
The Home Front
This program aligns with broader state efforts to manage fine particle pollution by regulating residential wood burning practices. It follows established environmental guidelines that prioritize indoor and community air health during the high-use heating season.
Check with your local library to see if they are among the 63 locations offering the loaner meters. Before the peak of winter, test your current firewood supply to ensure it is sufficiently dry for efficient, cleaner heating.
The takeaway
Using dry firewood is one of the most effective ways to heat your home while minimizing harmful smoke emissions. Plan to test your fuel supply early in the season to ensure every log meets the 20% dryness standard.
Further reading
Find more tips for maintaining your wood heating systems in our Landscaping section.
More information
Learn how to participate and find a participating branch via the firewood moisture meter loan program information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brattleboro Reformer.
Live Poll
Would you use a borrowed library moisture meter to ensure your firewood burns cleaner and hotter?
