Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.
Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to minimize the variations is to use seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
The quantity of air that is supplied to a fire can also have a significant influence on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a slower rate.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as much.
A dry load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will have a high water content, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however, the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as 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, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. If used properly however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log into 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. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin 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 remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold However, precautions for safety must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as effectively.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Also, avoid using flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. small woodburners should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be aware not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. very small wood burning stove that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. When a large amount of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and put them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.