Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.
Green, or unseasoned wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a slower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It's important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. If properly used, however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of Moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors 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, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. indoor wood burning stove should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned shed wood burner for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are good for starting your fire going, but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and place them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve 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 on a regular basis. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.