Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical element of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean in order to be effective.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize the variations.
The quantity of air delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will have a high water content, making 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.
Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we see on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.
Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. corner wood burning stove release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. modern wood burning stove should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be aware not to overload your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are good starter material to get your fire up and running but should not be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a lot of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They 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 factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
small wood burner may build up excessively when wood isn't properly prepared. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for any blockages. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.