Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential part of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Green, or unseasoned wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environment. The best way to limit the variations is to use seasoned firewood with less than 20%.
In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
To maximize burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel that is usable. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as far.
A dry load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content, which may make it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, 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 fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
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 smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we see on clear days.
When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like 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 scoop 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 correctly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good starter material to get your fire going, but should not be used for anything other than. woodburning fireplace contain sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your fireplace. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. During the 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 air as part of the smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It is also 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 keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Check your user manual for instructions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.