This seven-part guidebook provides information to assist decision makers and other individuals involved in the residential wood energy fuel cycle. It can be used as a tool for designing or implementing programs, strategies, and policies that encourage, prevent, or mitigate safety or air emission related impacts of residential woodburning equipment and practices. It can also assist the private sector interests in their decisions to improve technology, provide education, encourage better maintenance and operation of woodburning equipment, and to work with government to achieve solutions to present or emerging problems, particularly at state and local levels in the Great Lakes region. Part I provides introductory comments and a discussion of the role wood plays as fuel. Parts II to V examine, respectively: residential wood combustion technology (discussing fireplaces and wood stove design, chimney systems, and other topics); residential wood heating trends; emissions from residential wood combustion (considering characteristics of wood combustion emissions, measuring emissions, alternative control strategies, and other topics); and fire safety. Conclusions and recommendations are offered in part VI. Appendices (which include a glossary, a list of educational materials, and a list of resource contacts) are provided in part VII. (JN)