Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.
The amount of air delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed.
To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is crucial 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 only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If properly used, however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log was dried before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. talks about it is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.
If used properly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in 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 treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect 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, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good fuel for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for 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 is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. They are the second most common cause of house fires across the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the yard!
Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.