Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance 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 work.
Green, or unseasoned wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the primary step in efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize the variations.
In addition, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. When freestanding wood burner is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high levels of water, which may make it difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood warms, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or in the home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night, but safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Never burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Also, avoid using flammable liquids to start fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned 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, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove 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 have an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It could also pose a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!
Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and inspected visually for obstructions. Check your user's manual to learn how to do it for your particular unit.