Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean 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 more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best way to minimize these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a slower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.
A firewood load that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. When small wood burning stove is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high water content that could make it difficult for logs to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It's important to take into account your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for 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 wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood warms it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority 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 lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft 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 metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or at the house.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood burning stoves small is dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could 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 with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water could comprise up to 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 or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It can also be a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the lawn!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your particular unit.