Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential aspect of our health and well-being. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.
Green, or unseasoned wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations.
In addition, the quantity of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content, which could 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 consider. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. 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 smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. If properly used, however, modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However, security precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to run less efficiently.
Never burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture, curtains and toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great fuel for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. large wood burning stove of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It is also an ignition risk since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses.
The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container, which you should 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 backyard!
It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. 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 fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually inspected for any blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.