Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to work.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to reduce these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly use up 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 firewood load is also essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high levels of water, 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 to ensure optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat with 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, particularly for children and seniors. 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 burned and smolders, volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. 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 Moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the wood to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they create more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the house.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night, but precautions for safety should be taken. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly, with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Be aware not to overload your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starting material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
When corner wood burner fireplacesandstoves doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fully burn, such as 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 buildup of creosote in excess. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. The water boils during 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 side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It could also pose a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check 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 fireplace with an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for any blockages. Check your user's manual to learn the procedure for your particular unit.