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 need to be warm and clean in order to be effective.
Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20 percent.
Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much.
A firewood load that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds like 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 making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than had the log been seasoned to dry before 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 create smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Do not overload your stove with brittle and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. 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 around the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, security precautions should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.
Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood burning stove for shed has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit 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 ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. top wood burning stoves is also an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients 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 can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.