Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to function.
Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce the variations is to use seasoned firewood with less than 20%.
In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. When the air supply is not sufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to consume all oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high levels of water, which could make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly can significantly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than when the log was dried to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we see on clear days.
If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can lessen the problem by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log as 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 over-load your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night However, security precautions should be taken. If cheap wood burner are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, block airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. 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 regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going, but should not be used for more than that. These soft woods contain resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. 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 fireplace to fully burn is caused by a number of reasons such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.