Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to function.
Unseasoned, or green, 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 therefore easier to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%.
In addition, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient the wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a slower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A firewood pile that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however, the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. When firewood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. When used correctly, however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog we experience on clear days.
When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can lessen the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize them in your garden or in the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. small wood burning heater can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night However, security precautions must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture curtains, toys, and other items in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clean. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. During the fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It is also an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the yard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed 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 checked for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.