Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience 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 in order to function.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as far.
A dry load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If used properly, however, modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of energy from the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. homepage 's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or around the house.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night, but precautions for safety should be taken. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that results is then absorbed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It could also pose an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in an ash bucket made of metal that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!
Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.