Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to function.
Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.
A load of firewood that has been properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or around the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running, but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly treated. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. In british wood burning stoves of a fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the backyard!
It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your specific unit.