Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to function.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step in efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.
Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a lower rate.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high water content, which can be difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. 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 will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are dangerous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or in the house.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and create toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store woodburning stoves stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using wood burners near me , like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going, but should not be used for more than that. These woods with resin and sap, which when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It can also be a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Take Wood Burning Stoves out of your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!
Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can 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 that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user's manual to learn how to do it for your unit.