Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean to be effective.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit the variations.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A firewood pile that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry prior to burning. the full details is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form 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 logs into a charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces 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.
Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and 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. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or at the home.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also important to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. large wood burning stove can clog the flue, impede airflow, and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods have resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
freestanding wood burning stove is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable 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 a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.