Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital part of our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce the variations is to use seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
The amount of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.
A firewood load that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out it will have a high water content, which can be difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to take into consideration your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. When used correctly however modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
When used correctly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load 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 metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, large wood burning stove and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that is deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire in the winter cold However, precautions for safety must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted large wood burning stove , household waste paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when it is tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.
Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for signs of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. This water boils during the 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 side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to the walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants 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 in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your fireplace.