Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to function.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with less than 20%.
The quantity of air delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
To increase the time of burning 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 use up all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A well-dried firewood load is also critical to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high levels of water, which may make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. 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 trigger indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. When used correctly however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry before burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by converting the logs into the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or in the home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is important to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. second hand wood burner prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most frequent causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a number of reasons such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them around the lawn!
You should have 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 closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your fireplace.