Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly drain the fuel supply. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A load of firewood that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when properly used can drastically reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood warms, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog we experience on clear days.
If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.
Never burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials like curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.
Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. wood burning stoves on sale is a great fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These softer woods have sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It could also pose an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your fireplace.