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 work.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to reduce these variations.
The quantity of air being provided to a flame will also have a significant impact on its temperature and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the fuel that is usable. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as far.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are greater. wood burning stoves on sale means that they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If properly used however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the wood to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night however, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to run less efficiently.
Do not burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. 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 can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These woods with sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. When a large amount of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of reasons, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and store them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the yard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do this for your fireplace.