Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital aspect of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Unseasoned, or green, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and quickly draw down the fuel supply. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, cast iron wood burning stove burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we experience on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload 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.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should make use of them in your garden or at the house.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night, but safety precautions must be taken. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to function as efficiently.
Never burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use flammable liquids to start fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently for signs of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire going, but should not be used for anything other than. These woods with resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is important to maintain the fireplace to make the most of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a substantial amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly treated. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It can also be an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your particular unit.