Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential part of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean in order to be effective.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce the variations is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has less than 20%.
In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A firewood load that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry 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 use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. If properly used, however modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors 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 properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. wood burning stoves ideas can block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are a great for starting your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These woods with resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Creosote may build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.