Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital element of our health and wellbeing. They should be hot and clean to be effective.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the key step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke 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 way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
The amount of air that is delivered to a fire will also have a significant influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is 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 restricted.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and will 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. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For example white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of 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 ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to get rid of creosote and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene 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 fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be cautious not to overload your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are good for starting your fire up and running but should not be used for anything more than. linked internet page have sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly prepared. This is due to the fact that 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 created then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!
Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and 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 inspected visually for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.