Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our wellbeing and health. But, they have to be clean and hot in order for them to function properly.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to reduce the variations.
The amount of air delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on the heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. If the supply of air is limited, however a wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high water content, which may make it difficult 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.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When wood is burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Best wood burning stoves from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of Moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than 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 could cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or at the home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great for starting your fire up and running however should not be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you to avoid any problems. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It is also an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the backyard!
Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your particular unit.