Characteristics of the consumption of firewood and charcoal in urban housing

Abstract

The aim of this work was to characterize the profile of consumption of firewood and charcoal in urban housing of Lages/SC, identifying the socio-economic characteristics influencing the amount consumed. Were sampled randomly 178 homes using a survey, applied during the month of February of 2014. The information collected provided quantifying the use of firewood and charcoal in homes and characterize their use, such as the form of production, consumption purposes, species and types of wood used, some of the household characteristics (location, type and ownership of the property). The firewood was consumed in 38.2% of the households interviewed, with predominant amount of 0.1 to 2 st per year (780 kg/household/year); while 36% use charcoal, predominantly up to 15 kg/month (141.7 kg/household/year). The firewood is acquired through purchase from local suppliers, preferably in pieces for use on stove or fireplace for cooking food as a source of heating. The main variables that are associated with the consumption of firewood were the availability of stove and fireplace in the home and the number of people, while for charcoal was for preparing barbecue.